The first games of the CCHA playoff have finished.
Only one upset has occurred with the higher seeds outscoring the lower seeds 13-9 and winning three out of four games. Two games were decided by one goal, one of which entered overtime. The other two games ended in differentials of three plus goals and many disheartened fans.
Ferris State at Bemidji State, BSU 5-4 OT
Ferris State was within one minute of completing a first-game upset of the number-one team in the CCHA.
Bemidji State never led the Bulldogs, down 2-1 after the first period, 4-3 after the second, and remained 4-3 with one minute left in regulation.
With just over three minutes to play, Bulldog defenseman Travis Shoudy took an interference penalty, prompting a six-on-four opportunity for the Beavers after they pulled the goaltender. Noah Giesbrecht successfully killed the powerplay, but less than a minute later Beaver forward Eric Martin scored the extra-attacker game-tying goal to thrust the game into overtime.
After a 15-minute intermission between the third period and first overtime, defenseman Eric Pohlkamp of Bemidji State celebrated the game-winning slap-shot after only 37 seconds of skating time.
The Bulldogs had a prime opportunity to dramatically drop the Beavers at home and give themselves a good chance for a playoff series win. Ferris State had Bemidji State fighting from behind the entire game, recording a higher shot percentage, more saves, more blocks, and allowing only one powerplay goal on four Beaver attempts.
Yet, the drama fell for the green and white, who are now one win closer to a playoff series victory. Their next meeting is Saturday at 6:07 p.m.
Lake Superior State at St. Thomas, LSS 4-1
Even with four goals scored by Lake Superior State, there was little offense displayed in the first game in St. Paul.
Much of the early game was neutral zone possession. Two key first-period breakaways resulted in a goal by either team.
A second-period goal by Jared Westcott resulted in an upset playoff win for the Lakers. Their defense was able to hold back the Tommies for just under 27 minutes, during which Lake Superior scored both an even-strength and empty-net goal.
St. Thomas selected Aaron Trotter as their goaltender against Lake Superior State. With the Mike Richter goaltender award finalist Jake Sibell sitting on the bench, Trotter recorded 24 saves allowing three goals.
Tommie head coach Rico Blasi has a tough decision on which goalie to choose come Saturday night.
St. Thomas, the two-seed, totaled just 22 shots on goal and won eleven fewer faceoffs than the Lakers. Lake Superior State, the seven-seed, shot 14% with 40 faceoff wins and a rating of 15, not allowing a goal after the first period.
The Tommies now search for a series-tying win Saturday at 6:07 p.m.
Bowling Green at Michigan Tech, MTU 5-0
It was the Husky show all night in Houghton.
Michigan Tech had their third straight weekend of a five-plus goal win, 7-0 against Bowling Green, 6-0 against St. Thomas, and now 5-0 against Bowling Green.
MTU more than doubled BG’s shots total (44-21), came away with five players scoring goals, 10 players scoring points, and three players scoring two points or more.
The Pietilas shone brightly once again. Logan Pietila scored the game-winning goal and two assists, while his twin brother Blake Pietila saved 21 shots and allowed no goals, his fourth shutout of the year.
Bowling Green fights back for a potential game three Saturday night at 6:07. If the Falcons lose, it will be their third straight first-round exit in the Mason Cup playoffs.
Northern Michigan at Minnesota State, MSU 2-1
The closest game of Friday night took place in Mankato, Minn. where the Mavericks narrowly avoided an upset by Northern Michigan.
Lucas Sowder scored the game-winning goal in the 16th minute of the second period, followed by the lone Wildcat net-filler by Rylan Van Unen, spoiling the potential shutout by Maverick netminder Alex Tracy.
Tracy stunted opposing goaltender Beni Halasz with an incredible 32-save performance for a .970 save percentage. Halasz finished well in his own right, saving 19 shots for a .905 save percentage.
The Mavericks and the Wildcats are the fourth and fifth-place teams in the CCHA. The tight game that one might have expected from such evenly matched teams was delivered in the first matchup in the Mason Cup Quarterfinal weekend.
Minnesota State chases its third straight Mason Cup Championship on Saturday night at 6:07 p.m.
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