With the first few weeks of 2025 CCHA hockey in the books, records have already been broken and a team that seemed to be down on its luck has finally found its rhythm.
The CCHA standings have also moved around quite a bit over the past few weeks, with the Minnesota State Mavericks feeling safe in the top spot and Bowling Green soaring up from fifth to third.
Northern Michigan’s new hope?
The walls seemed to be crumbling for a beaten-down Northern Michigan team, with 13 players transferring after a disappointing 12-16-6 2023-24 season it seemed that the Bobcats just couldn’t get it done. But up against No. 12 Minnesota State, they pull off a huge upset and snap their eight-game losing streak in the process.
Northern Michigan’s Ryan Duguay has been named CCHA’s most recent Rookie of the Week after a stunning performance that resulted in his first career hat trick and now, with four goals, he leads the CCHA rookies in points.
Not only was Duguay’s performance a breath of fresh air for NMU fans but also, although they lost their second game against Minnesota State, this win seemed to have lit a fire for NMU. Their eight-game-losing streak quickly turned into a Bemidji State sweep this past weekend and a newfound hope for NMU.
Now, the “NMU win out” jokes don’t feel too much like jokes now.
This was the first time Minnesota State allowed a three-goal performance since 2022 and NMU’s first win against a ranked opponent since 2023. But NMU wasn’t the only team to rack up some points over the break either, St. Thomas seemed to have some fun over Ferris State.
Thomas makes program history against Ferris State
On Friday, Jan., 10 St. Thomas started their new year with a new program record racking up nine points over the Ferris State Bulldogs (whose head coach, Bob Daniels, announced his retirement earlier this week). With 15 points in total, including the second hat-trick in the program’s history, scored by freshman Liam Malmquist.
The Tommies were on a hot streak before this game with a five-game winning streak only for it to be broken up with a tie on Saturday night against Lake Superior State.
Three CCHA goaltenders made the Mike Richter Award watchlist
The Mike Richter Award is an award given to the goaltender voted “most outstanding” in Division One NCAA hockey, here are the three CCHA goaltenders who are on the watchlist:
Alex Tracy (Senior, Minnesota State)
Alex Tracy has started every game for the Mavericks this season has posted a .942 SV% and nationally ranks first in Goals-against Average and fourth in Save Pct. Tracy has also been honored with the title of National Goaltender of the Month in December 2024.
It’s easy to see why Tracy and the Mavericks have been on everyone’s radar this past season.
Josh Kotai (Sophomore, Augustana)
Although Josh Kotai is only a Sophomore he’s pulled up some impressive stats. With a .945 SV% and also being honored with the National Goaltender of the Month in October 2024 Kotai is nationally ranked first in Save Pct and third in Goals-against Average.
With this many achievements under his belt after only two years at Augustana, it’ll be exciting to see how his next two years will work out for the Vikings.
Christian Stoever (Senior, Bowling Green)
Now, I am a firm believer in this man needing no introduction for us BG fans, so it might not be a surprise to hear of his watchlist status but it certainly doesn’t make his stats less impressive.
With a .944 SV% and having already been on the Richter Award watchlist for the 2022-23 season, over the past four years at BG Stoever has been a menace on the ice for opposing goal-scorers.
Currently holding a 7-0-2 record for games played and with season highs of 43 goals saved and four goals allowed against Bemidji State on Saturday, Jan. 11 Stoever is nationally ranked second by the NCAA in Goalie-winning Pct. and Save Pct.
Some notable recipients of the Mike Richter Award include names like Connor Hellebyuck, Thatcher Demko, and Jeremy Swayman. We’ll have to wait and see whose name will be listed among some of the greatest to play the game.
