Predicting this weekend's CCHA Finals

For the third straight year, the MSU hockey team won’t be making a trip to Joe Louis Arena to compete in the semi-finals of the CCHA Championships.

But four teams — Miami (Ohio), Michigan, Northern Michigan and Ferris State — will be making the trip to the Joe to try and earn an automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament with a CCHA playoff title.

Here’s a breakdown of this weekends matchups.

Miami vs. Michigan

This is a very tough game to predict. We all remember U-M’s unexpected sweep over MSU last weekend. The Wolverines were clicking on all cylinders in their destruction of the Spartans and looked nothing like the team MSU beat three-out-of-four times earlier this season.

The Wolverines likely will go with backup goaltender Shawn Hunwick again this weekend, because to a groin injury to starting goaltender Bryan Hogan. Why shouldn’t they start Hunwick? The team has rallied around him and has been committed to backchecking and strong play in the defensive zone.

But Hunwick hasn’t seen a team with real offensive firepower like Miami. Although the Spartans couldn’t muster much offensively against Hunwick, he did look shaky when he was called upon, especially with his rebound control.

Miami has a goaltending issue to face as well. The RedHawks have been splitting time between two netminders all season. They will have a big decision to make in choosing their No. 1 goaltender for this weekend, as the playoffs now turn to single-elimination games.

To make the NCAA Tournament, U-M needs to win this game and the finals. But that’s not going to happen and the dream run will come to an end. It will be a close game, but Miami’s offense will put too much pressure on Hunwick.

Miami 3, Michigan 2

Northern Michigan vs. Ferris State

Earlier this season, Northern Michigan took four-of-six points against Ferris State.

But we all know the playoffs are a whole different ballgame.

Northern Michigan had its usual strong, late-season push and are playing good hockey of late. The same can’t be said for Ferris State. The Bulldogs posted two ties to last-place Western Michigan in the last weekend of the regular season. In hindsight, this may have been a good time for them to slip up, because they avoided having to go up against a hot U-M team in the second round. Instead, they swept Nebraska-Omaha to punch their ticket to the Joe.

Northern Michigan goaltender Brian Stewart has been strong during big games for the Wildcats. And this will continue on Friday.

In a tightly contested defensive game, the Wildcats will sneak by and earn a spot in the Championship game.

Northern Michigan 3, Ferris State 1

Championship Game

Miami vs. Northern Michigan

Miami is just too good this year. They dominated everyone through the regular season and the same will stay true in the CCHA Championship game.

ALthough Northern Michigan has a strong core of defenseman, Miami’s offensive firepower is just too dangerous for anyone handle.

Stewart will have a big game, but the Wildcats won’t be able to give him enough goal support.

However, Northern Michigan’s strong showing in the conference tournament should be enough to earn them an NCAA Tournament at-large berth. So it’s not all bad for the Wildcats.

Miami 4, Northern Michigan 1

---

• News
• Campus
• City
• Police Briefs
• Crime Map

• Opinion
• Editorials
• Columns
• Letters

• Features
• Event Calendar

• Sports
• Baseball
• Basketball
• Cross Country
• Football
• Golf
• Gymnastics
• Field Hockey
• Ice Hockey
• Rowing
• Soccer
• Softball
• Swimming & Diving
• Track & Field
• Volleyball
• Wrestling

• Blogs
• Classifieds
• Religious Guide
• Puzzles
• Mobile Edition
• Housing Guide

• Multimedia
• Living City
• Video
• Photo Galleries
• Podcasts

• Archives
• Search
• Feeds
• Photo Reprints
• Advertise With Us
• SN Alumni
• Work Here
• Contact Us
• Privacy Policy

• Follow Us:
• Facebook
• Twitter

• 
• More Page Fronts
• Reprints

The State News is published by the students of Michigan State University. State News, Inc. is a nonprofit corporation. Its current 990 tax form is available for review upon request at 435 E. Grand River Avenue during business hours.