Certain spots in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA) standings are finally being determined with this upcoming weekend’s matchups and also with this weekend comes the end of the CCHA regular season, for Augustana at least.
Augustana is playing out of conference for their final home stand of the regular season so this will not affect their standings. Augustana will end in the second seed with a .625 points percentage (PTS%) earning home-ice advantage for the Mason Cup Playoffs.
Northern Michigan rookie coming back after one-game suspension on Saturday
Northern Michigan’s Freshman Forward Medrick Bolduc will return from his one-game suspension on Saturday, Feb. 21. This suspension was issued after Bolduc issued an illegal check to the head on Saturday, Feb. 8 against a Lake Superior State player.
The CCHA released a statement on the illegal check the following Monday (Feb. 10) stating: “An east/west check with elevation by the left shoulder directly to the head of the LSSU player is unacceptable and goes against the principles of fair play and respect that the CCHA upholds.”
The full statement on Bolduc’s suspension can be read here.
Northern Michigan is facing off against St. Thomas this weekend for their final home stand of the regular season.
Minnesota State can clinch the top-seed and Regular Season Championship
The No. 17 Minnesota State Mavericks are looking to secure the top seeding and earn the Regular Season Championship once and for all.
After dancing around the second and first spot on the CCHA standings with Augustana, the Mavericks were able to widen the gap with a .697 PTS% and a 20-8-2 overall record. This along with Augustana playing out of conference this weekend means the No. 17 Mavericks will be safe in the top spot and earn the title of Regular Season Champions for the 2024-25 season.
Michigan Tech looking to inch up to third-seed
Although Michigan Tech may not be able to pull off a shift in the standings this week a sweep against Ferris State can inch them closer to topping Bowling Green in seeding. This could be key if they see each other again in the playoffs.
If they were to sweep Ferris State and Bowling Green lost both games against Bemidji State, Michigan Tech could have a better chance at gaining a higher seeding and possibly playing Bowling Green at home if they see each other in the Mason Cup Playoffs.
2/14-15 CCHA Players of the Week:
Defensemen of the Week: Easton Young (Fr., Augustana)
A split weekend in Michigan gave Augustana just what they needed to stay in the second seed. A key factor in their 5-1 win against Michigan Tech on Friday was Freshman Defenseman Easton Young. Young had a three-point weekend with two assists on Friday and had the assist on the game-tying goal on the following Saturday night.
Rookie of the Week: Rylan Brown (Fr., Michigan Tech)
Fellow Freshman Defenseman Rylan Brown earned his first weekly honor after three points, including the lone goal in the dominant 5-1 loss on Friday against Augustana, and two assists in the Huskies’ comeback shootout win on Saturday.
Lake Superior State is home to two Player of the Week honorees this week, one on offense and one on defense:
Forward of the Week: Branden Piku (So., Lake Superior)
Branden Piku had a productive weekend in the series against the Ferris State Bulldogs producing four points with three goals and an assist, including the game-winner on Saturday night. Piku secured his season-high of six shots on goal on Friday night’s 3-2 loss.
Goaltender of the Week: Easton Hesse (Sr., Lake Superior)
Easton Hesse also had a productive weekend securing a season-high with 50 saves in one game, becoming the most saves made in a single game for Lake Superior since Nick Kossof’s 63-save performance in 2017. His performance on Saturday helped Lake Superior secure the 5-3 victory over the Bulldogs.
