The final weeks of the Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA) regular season are rearing their ugly head, but before the final standings are solid, this weekend’s slate gives everyone a bit of a breather with only two in-conference matchups.
Most teams are on a byeweek, while Bowling Green’s exhibition game with the US National Team Development Program in Plymouth, Mich. will not affect the CCHA standings. Back in the CCHA, some teams have rosters full of key players.
Ferris State coming back from a byeweek
After their bye week, Ferris State faces off against Lake Superior at home. Although these equally matched teams aren’t in the best position when it comes to the CCHA standings, they have both been making some noise.
The Lake Superior Lakers are coming off a successful week after keeping the Cappo Cup for another year after defeating rivals Northern Michigan. While Ferris State has some star players being recognized.
Captain Travis Shoudy was named CCHA Defenseman of the Month for his second career monthly honor. He finished the month with four goals and six assists, totaling ten points, leading Ferris State in offense. Defensively, Shoudy blocked 10 shots throughout January. Noah West also earning his honors for the second time in his career, after 31-save and 29-save performances against Bemidji State, West held the Beavers to one goal in the series.
Ferris State might have the upper hand with home-ice advantage and players making a lot of noise in the conference, but the Lakers are coming off of a big rivalry weekend. These equally matched teams are coming in confident and hungry, and this matchup could be a dark horse.
The battle to stay in the top four
Not only do Augustana and Michigan Tech have key players on their rosters this past weekend on their roster too, one of which is nationally ranked, but they’re also battling to stay in the top four.
A hat trick in the high-scoring Winter Carnival series in Houghton, Mich. helped freshman Elias Jansson secure this weekly honor, even if his efforts didn’t lead his team to a win.
But Augustana’s Josh Kotai’s honors may not come as a shock, as he’s been on fire for the Vikings this season. Nominated for both the Mike Richter and Hobey Baker Awards, this is the second monthly honor for the sophomore goaltender. After going 5-0-2 in January, it’s no wonder how Kotai secured the Hockey Commissioners Association (HCA) Goaltender of the Month.
The Michigan Tech Huskies might finally be able to knock out Augustana from the top two positions, but the Vikings can still knock out the Huskies from the top seeding. This means the Huskies could lose the home-ice advantage that could make or break a team in the playoffs.
