We are approaching the last month of regular season play in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA), and some teams’ fates have been set in stone, while others still have a chance to move things around. This last month will mean a lot when it comes to playoff contention.
Let’s take a look at some key matchups this week:
Beavers bounce back against the Tommies
St. Thomas had the chance to make history against Bemidji on Sunday. After beating Bemidji State 3-2 on Saturday, extending their unbeaten streak to seven games, the Tommies could’ve swept the Beavers for the first time in program history. But the Beavers found a way to bounce back.
Bemidji State was dominant in their second game of the series, leading for most of the game after a first-period goal by sophomore Kasper Magnussen. The Tommies tried to bounce back late in the third period with a goal by sophomore Chase Cheslock, but it was short-lived with a goal just 44 seconds later by freshman Eric Martin.
Bowling Green bouncing back against a downturn Bobcats
Although it seemed the Northern Michigan Bobcats found a new fire after pulling off a stunning upset against Minnesota State and sweeping the Bemidji State Beavers, their in-state rivals, Michigan Tech, seemed to have their number. Being swept by a rival after an already lackluster season can either extinguish or fan the flame the Bobcats have lit for themselves.
On the other hand, the Bowling Green Falcons have also found themselves after a sweep, but these two teams are in very different spots. While the Falcons fight for a playoff spot, the Bobcats are buried last in the CCHA standings.
The Falcons have the opportunity to bounce back, as the hunger for the playoffs can outweigh the hunger for a slightly better record. But who’s to say? The Bobcats can fight and prove their naysayers wrong and completely stun the Falcons as they did against Minnesota State.
Will St. Thomas extend their unbeaten streak?
After a split weekend against the Ferris State Bulldogs, the Mavericks are looking to cement their place in the CCHA standings. But the Tommies are also looking to find their speed and extend their unbeaten streak to eight games.
Minnesota has made a name for itself this past season, ranked #14 nationally and seventh in winning percentage by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). But the Mavericks have found themselves in quite a few upsets over the past month. This includes a surprising 3-2 loss against the 3-14-1 Northern Michigan Bobcats and now, this week, losing in a shutout against the 7-11-0 Bulldogs.
With three split weekends in a row, will the Mavericks find their fire again, or will they fall into another upset against a St. Thomas team with an unbeaten streak they want to extend? Will the Mavericks become comfortable on top, or will they find themselves back in the losing column against another team they should’ve won against?
Will the Augustana Vikings squash Lake Superior’s comeback?
Lake Superior has found themselves in a tough spot in the standings. Being just outside playoff contention with an unforgiving schedule, Lake Superior needs to pull off some big upsets in these last few weeks to claw their way into the playoffs. But after a dominating weekend in Bowling Green for the Vikings, this seems to be a tall order for the Superiors.
The now nationally ranked No. 19 Vikings have even danced around securing the top spot of the CCHA standings, that was until the Mavericks stunned the Ferris State Bulldogs back, winning 7-2.
A newfound confidence in Ferris State vs. a new rhythm for Bemidji State
The equally matched Ferris State and Bemidji State are facing off again, this time for the last time in the 2024-25 regular season. Although neither of these teams is in playoff contention, they are still fighting for at least a winning season.
After Ferris State’s huge upset against the #14 Minnesota State, the Bulldogs might have a newfound confidence to beat the Beavers. But after a split weekend against the Tommies and a dominating second game of the series, maybe the Beavers will be able to find that rhythm once again against the Bulldogs.
