This week the CCHA on FloHockey features a contest between Minnesota State and Northern Michigan. The rematch will surely live in the shadow of the shellacking Northern handed the Mavericks last spring. Also, Bowling Green takes on Bemidji and St. Lawrence meets Lake Superior State. 

Northern Michigan At No. 3 Minnesota State

In last spring’s conference semifinals, the prohibitive favorites—Minnesota State—squared off in their own building against a team with the worst record of the last four—Northern Michigan. As most of you know, Northern blew out the Mavericks 5-1, chasing league player-of-the-year Dryden McKay from his own net in the 32nd minute of the game. 

“We were embarrassed,” said current MSU captain Wyatt Aamodt in Wednesday’s presser. 

Friday is payback time, as Grant Potulny’s Wildcats return to the scene of their crime for a two- game series in Mankato, one in which they find themselves severe underdogs once again. Counting them out, however, might be premature. Mavs coach Mike Hastings has already consulted with coach Tom Serratore of Bemidji, Northern’s last opponent, and has every right to be wary. 

“They have a very deep and talented group of forwards,” said Hastings, quoting his in-state pal whose Beavers barely managed to escape Marquette with two wins. Potulny now has a pair of decorated goalies to throw at Minnesota State, the overwhelming favorites to win the CCHA.

The Mavericks are more than just a league favorite, they are a national power that has already claimed three major scalps: ruining the UMass banner night, shutting out NCHC favorite St. Cloud, and scoring a TKO over then-No. 12 Providence. Minnesota State’s non-conference success will lift the computer rankings of every CCHA team, but now their beneficiaries have become their prey.

Look for an angry and determined MSU squad to sweep Northern this weekend. And in a classic case of payback, don’t be surprised if Dryden McKay paints his historic 27th career shutout this weekend, cleansing his palate from that awful night seven months ago.  

Bowling Green Vs. No. 17 Bemidji State

BGSU’s third-year coach Ty Eigner is in full rebuild mode down in Ohio, something he didn’t expect until he was blindsided by the transfer portal being wrenched open this past off-season. His response was to schedule a lighter fare of non-conference opponents to help his squad survive the growing pains. The result is a modest unbeaten streak (2-0-2) and plenty of joy in the BGSU locker room after last Saturday’s victory over Miami. AY ZIGGY is one of the great celebrations in college hockey.

As always #Ayziggy #dirtybird pic.twitter.com/mrTF3Ye8YB

— BGSU Club Hockey (@BGSUClubHockey) October 24, 2021

But the season now transitions to what Tech’s Joe Shawhan refers to as ‘men’s league,’ as BGSU’s bus hauls north for the long ride to nationally-ranked Bemidji. This Beaver team is nearly identical to the one that gave the Falcons fits, even when they possessed four 100-point scorers and all-conference defenseman Will Cullen. 

Tom Serratore has another fiercely disciplined Bemidji team, with plenty of veteran talent to complement that grit. They also have a freshman goalie that just claimed the weekly all-CCHA honor. For fans who appreciate elite blueliners, Beaver junior Elias Rosen can be a joy to behold. The silky Swede can go entire games without misfiring on a pass, and when games approach crunch time, the puck gravitates to Rosen.

Serratore’s Bemidji squad is pure Minnesota, and abides by the No. 1 rule of the legendary coach Herb Brooks: Never beat yourself.

Although one of the games will be tight, look for Bemidji to sweep at home, continuing its climb in the national rankings. Eigner’s young squad will have plenty of time to regroup on that long bus ride home from Minnesota's north country. 

St. Lawrence Vs. Lake Superior State

For the old-time hockey fans who congregate at the Christopher Columbus Italian American Society in the Michigan Soo, hosting the “Larries” of St. Lawrence conjures up warm memories of the 1988 NCAA Championship game. That March in Lake Placid, the Lakers outdueled St. Lawrence in overtime to win their first of three NCAA titles. 

Thirty-three years later, both programs find themselves in rebuilding mode, both with “old CCHA” stalwarts at their respective helms: former Michigan State forward Damon Whitten in the Soo, Western Michigan defenseman Brett Brekke atop the St. Lawrence River. Both led their respective clubs to conference tournament championships last year. The two teams playing styles, however, reveal a major contrast.

Irresistible Force Versus Immovable Object

Thanks to the supreme goaltending of Swedish senior Emil Zetterquist (1.31 GAA, .959 SV%), the Skating Saints have cobbled together a .500 record while scoring only four goals in three games. That shouldn’t be enough to survive their weekend against Lake State. Whitten has the makings of an offensive juggernaut up at the Soo, a team whose 13 power play snipes is third in the nation. Overall, the Lakers have averaged over five goals per game the past two weeks. It’s great entertainment for the fans who have returned in force to Taffy Abel Arena.

For fans who love puckhandlers that create their own offense, there’s Laker junior Brandon Puricelli; for those who appreciate precise distribution, there’s captain Louis Boudon who leads the nation with 10 helpers. The Lakers to date are an offensive smorgasbord, a little something for every fan who loves a full net.

Whitten has made good on his vow that he would find the offense that abandoned the Lakers last summer, most notably Soo-native Ashton Calder. His Lakers are looking to claim out-of-conference wins number four and five this weekend, and keep every player content from seeing their name on the scoresheet. Not only does offense keep fannies in the seats at Taffy, but it leads to happy chatter on the bench and in the room. Prospective recruits take note as well. 

Likely, the Lakers will eventually solve Zetterquist in this series, and sweep SLU in this 1988 NCAA rematch. Two more wins should be enough for LSSU to puncture the national rankings.