Just thought I'd take a look at the CCHA and how things might look going
into the playoffs. I didn't have stat-man John H proofread for me, so I
hope I didn't mess up the numbers too much ;-) .
CCHA Current Standings (from web.ccha.com ):
Game Poss Possible
Pl Team Pts Left Pts Opponents Final Standing
1 MSU 40 4 48 LSSU, FSU, LSSU, NMU 1,2
2 Mich 39 4 47 FSU, LSSU, BGSU, ND 1,2
3 OSU 31 4 39 MU, BG, FSU, FSU 3,4,5,6,7
4 NMU 31 3 37 ND, ND, MSU 3,4,5,6,7
5 Miami 30 3 36 OSU, BGSU, BGSU 3,4,5,6,7,8
6 LSSU 28 3 34 MSU, UM, MSU 3,4,5,6,7,8
7 FSU 25 4 33 UM, MSU, OSU, OSU 3,4,5,6,7,8
8 ND 24 3 30 NMU, NMU, UM 5,6,7,8
9 WMU 17 3 23 UAF, UAF, UAF 9,10,11
10 UAF 14 3 20 WMU, WMU, WMU 9,10,11
11 BGSU 13 4 21 MU, OSU, UM, MU 9,10,11
Comments (in order of current standing):
1. Michigan State
The Spartans have four tough games ahead of them, but they control their
own destiny. Four wins = CCHA championship. The Spartan defense stifled
the Wolverines all weekend long, and with Alban in net to handle the few
chances that get through, I look for the Spartans to win all four.
2. Michigan
If MSU somehow loses one of it's last four, Michigan can regain the number
one spot in the standings--but Michigan needs to win all four of its games
to even have a shot. Ferris has played Michigan tough (Michigan won 3-2 in
OT and tied 3-3 at Van Andel) this season so I look at Ferris to be
Michigan's toughest game, but you can't count out any of the other three.
Bowling Green is playing tough and is looking to salvage anything they can.
Michigan should pull off all 4 wins and finish 2nd in the CCHA.
3. Ohio State
Since Michigan wins the tie-breaker, the Buckeyes can finish no better than
3rd. But then, you have to give the Buckeyes credit for putting a
fantastic season together. Even if they lose to Miami this weekend, the
Buckeyes can still secure the #3 spot with wins in their remaining 3,
especially since they win the tie-breaker over Northern Michigan. I didn't
think I'd ever say this, but look for the Buckeyes to pull in the final
gate with a tight grip on their #3 spot.
4. Northern Michigan
Northern faces off twice against a tough Notre Dame squad and finishes the
season against the Spartans. I've already picked the Spartans to win that
game, and the Wildcats are fresh from a 3-4 loss to the Irish. If the
Wildcats split the series, they will finish the season with 33 points and
5th place.
5. Miami
Miami has a tough game against OSU and two "easy" (on paper) games with
Bowling Green, but once again I'm not sure that you can count the Falcons
out just yet. They are struggling to save face right now, but it won't be
enough to stop Miami. I like the RedHawks to win out which would give them
home ice against the Wildcats.
6. Lake Superior
The Lakers have probably the toughest remaining schedule: two games against
the Spartans and one against the Wolverines. Both the Spartans and
Wolverines need to win and the Lakers could stay right where they are, even
without a win. No one in their right mind wants to play the Lakers come
playoff time, and perhaps the Lakers would love a matchup with Ohio State:
the Lakers are 2-1 against the Buckeyes this year.
7. Ferris State
With all four remaining games against the top three teams in the league,
the Bulldogs don't have it much better than the Lakers. I look for Ferris
to give Michigan and the Spartans a tough game, but will lose both. The
Buckeyes should win the other two games to keep their #3 spot, which will
drop the Bulldogs to 8th place and a dreaded series against the Spartans.
8. Notre Dame
I give the Irish one win out of two against the Wildcats. That should move
them up one spot and give them a visit to Ann Arbor for the first round.
9. Western Michigan
10. Alaska-Fairbanks
11. Bowling Green
It must be tough to go into the last few weekends of the season knowing
that you can't make the playoffs. Western and Alaska play each other to
finish the season, and the Nanooks need all three if they want to pass the
Broncos and finish in the 9th spot. Unfortunately, I don't see it
happening. The Nanook in me says that UAF will take 2 out of the 3. The
Falcons have 4 tough games against Miami (2), Ohio State and Michigan, and
even Shawn Timm won't be able to get them out of the cellar.
So, here's how (I think) it'll end up:
pts
1. Michigan State 48
2. Michigan 47
3. Ohio State 37
4. Miami 36
5. Northern Michigan 33
6. Lake Superior 28
7. Notre Dame 26
8. Ferris State 25
9. Western Michigan 19
10. Alaska-Fairbanks 18
11. Bowling Grees 13
Drop the Puck,
Roger
UMich
(These opinions are my own...)
// Roger L. Spurgeon [log in to unmask]
// Assistant Director / Technology Coordinator
// Univ. of Mich. Dept. of Recreational Sports
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