The third-to-last weekend of NCAA regular-season hockey has concluded, and the Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA) Mason Cup is on the horizon. With the tension of close rivalry matchups, end-of-season-award finalists are also getting recognition, including a couple of familiar names.
Josh Kotai and Alex Tracy return as Richter Award semifinalists
Since 2014, the Mike Richter Award has been annually given to the best goaltender of NCAA Division I hockey. The winner of the 2026 Richter Award will be announced in April during the NCAA Frozen Four in Las Vegas.
Of the 10 semifinalists announced Friday, two CCHA goaltenders were on the list: Augustana’s Josh Kotai and Minnesota State’s Alex Tracy. Both goaltenders were also semifinalists in 2025, though the award was given to Jacob Fowler of Boston College.
After his performance versus Bowling Green, Kotai sits atop the NCAA with 890 total saves made on the season. He also became the first NCAA Division I goaltender since February 2020 to record three straight shutouts.
Tracy leads the CCHA in goals against average with a 1.91 GAA. Last season, Tracy finished as CCHA Player of the Year, CCHA Goaltender of the Year, and as a Hobey Baker Award finalist. This year, he holds a record of 15-9-5 as a starter for the Mavericks.
Tracy was also announced as a finalist for the CCHA Student-Athlete of the Year Award, returning after winning the award for 2025. The award winner will be announced Feb. 17.
Michigan Tech jumps St. Thomas for first place in CCHA
Third-period comebacks made way for both games between Michigan Tech and Lake Superior State to enter overtime, with both teams grabbing three points on the weekend. The Lakers won in the shootout on Friday, while the Huskies won in overtime Saturday.
The series split gives Michigan Tech a one-point lead over St. Thomas for the first-place position in the CCHA standings. The Huskies, however, have only one more series left in CCHA play, while the Tommies have two.
Ferris State keeps Northern Michigan out of postseason position
Entering the weekend series, Northern Michigan was only trailing Ferris State by two points in the CCHA standings. Now, the deficit has increased to six points.
The Wildcats fought their way to a point after an overtime loss on Friday. The Bulldogs dominated Saturday’s game, winning 6-0.
The Bulldogs’ sweep puts Northern Michigan in a tough position with two weeks left in the season. Northern Michigan takes on Lake Superior State and Minnesota State in their last two series, needing to make up six points on Ferris State to sneak into the Mason Cup Quarterfinals.
No movement in the middle
The teams sitting from third through sixth in the CCHA standings split their series this weekend.
Bemidji State and Minnesota State each took a 1-0 win in the in-state rivalry series. Tracy earned the shutout win on Friday. Bemidji State took the overtime win Saturday, ending the Mavericks’ four-game winning streak.
Bowling Green was hoping to grab the majority of points against Augustana. The Falcons shutout Augustana on Friday and temporarily hopped the Vikings for third place. But the Vikings took it right back after their 4-2 win on Saturday. Bowling Green starting goaltender Jacob Steinman left the second game with a non-contact injury.
The Falcons stand at fourth in the CCHA standings, two points behind Augustana, with two series remaining in the season. There is still a possibility for Bowling Green to move up past Augustana, St. Thomas, or Michigan Tech, but the clock is ticking.
