PAPILLION, NEBRASKA – The Central Collegiate Hockey Association is releasing a very light schedule this week with no conference games. Northern Michigan will host Michigan Tech on Friday night for a one game series. And Nebraska-Omaha will play a home-and-home series with Minnesota State with Friday night’s game being in Mankato, Minnesota and Saturday night’s game being played in Omaha. The two “Mavericks” have a nice rivalry that has carried onto the ice from the football and baseball fields as they were both former members of the Division II powerhouse North Central Conference. The CCHA will resume play on New Year’s weekend with many teams taking to tournaments. Conference play will continue on January 8, 2010.
Michigan Tech at Northern Michigan
Marquette, Michigan – The Wildcats defeated the Huskies in the final minute to snap their three game skid. Led by Andrew Cherniwchan’s two points (goal and an assist), Northern Michigan would tie the game at the end of the first period at 1-1. The second period offered plenty of chances for both schools, yet it would be to no avail. Jared Brown scored the game winner for the Wildcats at the 18:59 mark of the third period. Brian Stewart did his part for Northern Michigan stopping 22 shots for his fifth win of the season.
Minnesota St. verse Nebraska-Omaha
Mankato, Minnesota – Minnesota State’s Justin Jokinen would score first beating a screened John Faulkner for the early lead. Not to be out done, Matt Ambroz would score a gritty hardnosed goal crashing the net for tip in a rebounded puck to tie the game. While Nebraska-Omaha had the best opportunity to win in overtime with the power play, Minnesota State would make 30 shots on goal for their effort. In the end the game would end in a tie to fuel this non-conference rivalry even further.
Omaha, Nebraska – Another evening, another tight game, another overtime period, a winner. Rich Purslow scored 43 seconds into the overtime period to lead Nebraska-Omaha past Minnesota State. The win allowed Nebraska-Omaha to win the “Spirit of the Maverick” trophy awarded to the series winner played between these two schools with the same mascot. Schedule Results: December 18, 2009 Michigan Tech 1 at Northern Michigan 2 Nebraska-Omaha 1 at Minnesota State 1 OT December 19, 2009 Minnesota State 1 at Nebraska-Omaha 2 OT Players of the Week: will not be featured this week due to the scheduling break You may contact the author at: John.Strathman@prohockeynews.com
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