Saturday: MSU Recap // Alaska Recap
Weekend Thoughts:
Well, it's looking like MSU will be back in Alaska in a couple weeks. The Spartans did earn their first winning streak of the season, and they held a 1-0 lead after the opening period, but they couldn't translate it into the first weekend sweep of the year. The Nanooks tallied the game winning goal with just 1:03 remaining in regulation. Former Spartan Adam Henderson added an empty net goal, and then the fireworks began as Jake Chelios an Nolan Kaiser squared off, but neither received a game DQ. So currently, Jake Chelios can still play on Friday against Western Michigan.
CCHA Standings:
| GP | W | L | T | SOW | Points | Total Points Possible | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Miami | 26 | 16 | 6 | 4 | 4 | 56 | 62 |
| Western Michigan | 26 | 14 | 6 | 6 | 3 | 51 | 57 |
| Notre Dame | 26 | 15 | 8 | 3 | 2 | 50 | 56 |
| Ferris St. | 26 | 13 | 11 | 2 | 1 | 42 | 48 |
| Ohio State | 26 | 12 | 9 | 5 | 1 | 42 | 48 |
| Alaska | 28 | 12 | 13 | 3 | 1 | 40 | 40 |
| Bowling Green | 26 | 10 | 13 | 3 | 1 | 34 | 40 |
| LSSU | 26 | 10 | 15 | 1 | 1 | 32 | 38 |
| Michigan | 26 | 9 | 15 | 2 | 2 | 31 | 37 |
| Northern Michigan | 26 | 8 | 14 | 4 | 1 | 29 | 35 |
| Michigan State | 26 | 8 | 17 | 1 | 0 | 25 | 31 |
Play-off Picture
Current Match-ups:
First Round:
#11 MSU at #6 Alaska
#10 NMU at #7 BGSU
#9 Michigan at #8 LSSU
Quarterfinal Round:
#5 Ohio State at #4 Ferris State
TBD: #1 Miami, #2 WMU, #3 Notre Dame
It's simple for Miami - one point clinches a share of the CCHA title, two wins it outright. Western will basically need to win out and hope Ohio State sweeps Miami to win it outright. Notre Dame still has a shot as well, but they need a ton of help. Ferris State controls its own destiny for home ice in the quarterfinal round. They currently have the tiebreaker over Ohio State (conference wins). Alaska sits in the 6 spot, but they could fall to 7th if BGSU wins at Notre Dame. BGSU, LSSU, Michigan, and Northern Michigan still can earn home ice in the first round of the playoffs - and each can finish as high as 7th (BGSU can still get 6th). Michigan State can finish as high as 9th, but they need help from Ferris State and LSSU. Basically, it's looking like MSU is likely to head out to Alaska again for the first round, but other situations do exist, and everyone is playing for something - as all 11 CCHA teams are in action.
Games This Week
Friday
Western Michigan at Michigan State (Comcast)
Ohio State at Miami
BGSU at Notre Dame
LSSU at Northern Michigan
Ferris State at Michigan (CBS)
Alaska-Anchorage at Alaska
Saturday
Western Michigan at Michigan State (Comcast)
Ohio State at Miami
BGSU at Notre Dame
LSSU at Northern Michigan
Ferris State at Michigan (Fox Sports)
Alaska-Anchorage at Alaska
CCHA Power Rankings
1. Miami (21-8-5, LW: 1). On the verge of a championship.
2. Western Michigan (18-8-8, LW: 3). A battle with Michigan State awaits the Broncos in the final CCHA series.
3. Notre Dame (19-12-3, LW: 2). Pretty even, a pair of shoot-out wins for both teams this past weekend in K-Zoo.
4. Ferris State (15-13-4, LW: 5). A bye and they move up, Ohio State missed out on a huge opportunity.
5. Michigan (12-18-2, LW: 9). A statement weekend by Michigan - is the rest of the CCHA on notice?
6. Ohio State (13-14-7, LW: 5). The Buckeyes missed a great chance this weekend to move into the Top 4 - now they need help as they face arch-rival Miami.
7. BGSU (13-16-5, LW: 6). The Falcons can move up to 6th, but they need to pull off a road sweep in South Bend.
8. LSSU (15-18-1, LW: 7). The Lakers competed hard, but they couldn't get any points against Miami.
9. Alaska (14-14-4, LW: 8). Fireworks in Fairbanks this weekend - will they repeat in two weeks?
10. Northern Michigan (14-16-4, LW: 10). The Wildcats remain a dangerous team, but they need to put together two games in one weekend.
11. Michigan State (10-21-3, LW: 11). The Spartans reached double digit wins by hanging on in Fairbanks - now they try to avoid a second trip out there, but help is needed.
Big Ten Power Rankings
1. Minnesota (21-6-5, LW: 1). With two weekends left, the Gophers are only two points back from a WCHA title.
2. Wisconsin (13-10-7, LW: 2). A Big Ten battle tonight and tomorrow against Penn State.
3. Michigan (12-18-2, LW: 5). Statement made - can they do it again this week against Ferris?
4. Ohio State (13-14-7, LW: 3). The Buckeyes need to recover before the playoffs.
5. Penn State (12-13-0, LW: 4). Penn State can make one final Big Ten statement this week against Wisconsin.
6. Michigan State (10-21-3, LW: 6). The Spartans have split their last three series - another big test with Western in town.
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