The Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA) Mason Cup playoffs have finished their semifinal round. The highest-seeded teams have been able to continue their postseason stretch. No. 1-seeded Minnesota State and No. 2-seeded St. Thomas won their semifinal games Saturday, each advancing to the Mason Cup championship game.
Vikings fail to continue hot streak on the road, fall to St. Thomas
The Tommies could not grab a win versus Augustana throughout their three regular-season meetings. However, St. Thomas was able to clutch a 2-1 win Saturday.
The game was a nail-biter, staying scoreless for the first two periods. CCHA Player of the Year Josh Kotai made 26 saves on 28 shots faced for Augustana, while St. Thomas’s Carsen Musser made 23 saves on 24 shots against.
St. Thomas forward Alex Gaffney scored the first goal of the game and his first of the postseason. Gaffney was the Tommies’ leading goal scorer during the regular season.
The Tommies jumped from No. 18 to No. 15 in the USCHO.com poll. This ties their season high in the national rankings.
Minnesota State takes early lead, dominates the Huskies
Minnesota State defeated Michigan Tech 7-2 on Saturday. Four Mavericks grabbed multiple points. Senior Tristan Lemyre led the game, scoring two goals and tallying an assist.
The Mavericks quickly settled into the game, scoring three goals in the first period. Minnesota State scored its other four in the second period, three of which were scored in the span of 2:08.
Michigan Tech starting goaltender Owen Bartoszkiewicz was subbed out for sophomore Ryan Manzella after the Mavericks scored their seventh goal. It was the only time in which Bartoszkiewicz did not play during the postseason.
Minnesota State will keep home ice advantage for the Mason Cup championship game.
Nearing the NCAA Championship tournament
Last week, the Augustana Vikings held the highest likelihood of any CCHA team to clinch an NCAA tournament berth. The Vikings also held a slim chance to clinch the tournament as an at-large bid, ranking No. 13.
Augustana has now fallen to No. 18, leaving the team with no chance to make the 16-team tournament. The highest-ranked CCHA team is now No. 15 St. Thomas, followed by No. 16 Minnesota State.
The Tommies and Mavericks face off Friday, March 20, at 8:07 p.m. EST for the Mason Cup championship. The Mason Cup champion is likely to be the only CCHA team to clinch the NCAA tournament.
