No. 1 Miami
Record: 26-6-7 (21-2-5, 2 SOW CCHA)
RedHawks Note: If opponents sit in the locker room trailing Miami in the second intermission, it has been time to forget about a come-from-behind victory all year long. Although Ohio State made a valiant effort in the closing minutes of Sunday’s game, the RedHawks not surprisingly thwarted the comeback attempt. They only allow one third period goal every two games on average, and they now stand at 23-0-0 when leading after two periods.
How MU Wins: The RedHawks are the clear favorites in this tournament and should make a run at the Frozen Four and a national title after coming so painfully close last year. Despite their status as a national contender, Miami will be heavily focused on the task at hand — winning the program’s first-ever Mason Cup. Look for the RedHawks to continue to play strong team defense, and to use their depth to beat opponents as they have all year, including a 6-0-2 record against the other teams reaching Joe Louis Arena.
No. 3 Ferris State
Record: 21-11-6 (13-9-6, 4 SOW CCHA)
Bulldogs Note: With his overtime game-winner against Nebraska-Omaha last Saturday, senior Casey Haines jumped into a five-way tie for the conference lead with 5 game-winning goals — three of which have come in overtime — and a 12-way tie for sixth in the nation. That series-clinching goal sent the Bulldogs to Joe Louis Arena for the first time since the 2002-03 season and went a long way towards solidifying Ferris State’s first NCAA Tournament appearance since that same year.
How FSU Wins: In the Bulldogs’ two wins over the Mavericks last weekend, the scoring tended to come from one line each night. The good news was that it wasn’t the Blair Riley-Cody Chupp-Casey Haines line that has carried the team all year long, with second-liners Mike Embach (2) and Aaron Lewicki scoring on Friday night. Embach, Lewicki and Justin Menke, along with defensemen Zach Redmond and Brett Wysopal need to continue to give Ferris State a second dimension offensively, which would wear down opponents and create more opportunities for its very productive top line.
No. 4 Northern Michigan
Record: 19-11-8 (13-9-6, 3 SOW CCHA)
Wildcats Note: Northern Michigan has made a habit of finding its way to Detroit under head coach Walt Kyle, reaching Joe Louis Arena in seven of his eight years at the helm, including each of the last three seasons. While Kyle’s Wildcats would love to continue that streak, they’d love to buck the trend that has them falling before they reach the Championship game. The last time Northern Michigan reached the final was in 1999 under current Michigan State coach Rick Comley, and it hasn’t won the Mason Cup or playoff title since 1981.
How NMU Wins: Goaltender Brian Stewart will need to continue his strong play of late to give the Wildcats’ offense a chance to shine. Lucky for Northern Michigan, Stewart played arguably his best game on the road against Ferris State on Feb. 6, notching an incredible 51 saves in a shutout victory. Forward Mark Olver, the CCHA’s leading scorer, and his second-line counterpart Greger Hanson were both quick to point out that while the offense has been on a tear, Stewart’s goaltending is the cornerstone of this team’s success.
No. 7 Michigan
Record: 23-17-1 (14-13-1, 0 SOW CCHA)
Wolverines Note: Michigan’s Louie Caporusso has caught fire during the CCHA playoffs, notching nine points (5g, 4a) in the Wolverines’ four playoff games thus far. The junior’s maturity and patience helped him turn it around after a slow start, but scoring success against Miami would be somewhat new for him — Caporusso has just one goal and four assists in nine games against the RedHawks, with that .55 points per game representing his lowest average against any CCHA opponent.
How UM Wins: Like last weekend, Michigan’s success will be contingent on two major factors: whether its playmakers can make plays and convert chances, and how the Wolverines continue to respond to Shawn Hunwick in the net. Provided Bryan Hogan remains sidelined with a groin injury or Berenson predictably remains with the hot hand, Hunwick will face the toughest test of his short stint as a starter. He will need his teammates to galvanize around a shot at the Mason Cup and an NCAA Tournament bid and play airtight defense.
