PAPILLION , NE – The second round of the CCHA tournament yielded some exciting results as the first upset of the tournament took place while two of the three game series went the distance. The victors have punched their tickets to Joe Louis arena to play in the CCHA Finals, while the remaining teams now wait for a nod to the NCAA Frozen Four Tournament or a notice that their seasons have now ended. Here is a look at how this the quarterfinals went in this past weekends CCHA playoffs. #8 Nebraska-Omaha at #1 Notre Dame Jordan Pearce frustrated Nebraska-Omaha all weekend long as the Mavericks were unable to score once out of 60 shots on goal. Pearce led the Irish with his 60 saves as Notre Dame shut out Nebraska-Omaha twice this weekend. The Irish also blanked the Mavericks earlier this season 1-0 in Omaha. Jordan Pearce played his last two home games for the Irish playing stellar in net and earning himself first star awards both nights. Notre Dame 5 – Nebraska-Omaha 0 Notre Dame 1 – Nebraska-Omaha 0 Notre Dame wins series 2-0 #7 Western Michigan at #2 Michigan The Wolverines put Western Michigan in a tight position early Friday night by taking a commanding 3-0 lead at the end of the first intermission. While the Broncos would not go down without a fight on Friday night, Michigan was able to make easy work of them on Saturday only giving up only one goal. Michigan kept the pressure on the Broncos all weekend compiling an impressive number of shots on goals (48 and 55, 103 total), forcing Western Michigan back on their heels from the start. Michigan 5 – Western Michigan 2 Michigan 6 – Western Michigan 1 Michigan wins series 2-0 #6 Northern Michigan at #3 Miami The RedHawks pounded the Wildcats in game one placing 40 shots on goal while accumulating six minor penalties. Northern Michigan would not go down in the series without a fight and made Miami the loan upset thus far in the tournament. The Wildcats rebounded strong by coming back to win games 2 and 3 to advance to the finals. Northern Michigan won with defense as Miami continued to place numerous shots on net while the Wildcats remained focused on their game of playing sharp defense. Miami 3 – Northern Michigan 2 Northern Michigan 3 – Miami 2 (OT) Northern Michigan 3 – Miami 1 Northern Michigan wins series 2-1 #5 Ohio St. at #4 Alaska Alaska became the only other school to shut out it’s opponent in the second round with wins on Friday and Sunday. Ohio St. evened the series Saturday with stellar play from Sergio Somma, Kyle Reed, and Corey Toy. Each had multiple points on the night. Ohio State netminder Dustin Carlson also stopped 33 of 35 pucks on Saturday to help the Buckeyes force a third game. On Sunday, it was all Chad Johnson as he stopped 43 shots on goal for the Nanooks and gave Alaska the 1-0 shutout on a goal scored by Ron Myers (assisted by Joe Sova). Alaska 4 – Ohio St. 0 Ohio St. 4 – Alaska 2 Alaska 1 – Ohio St. 0 Alaska wins the series 2-1 The final round of the CCHA tournament will start on Friday, March 20 at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, Michigan. Northern Michigan will make it’s sixth trip in the last seven years to the finals where they will meet conference juggernaut Notre Dame in their first game. In the second game of the day, Alaska, in only their second trip to the finals since joining the CCHA 14 years ago, will play Michigan just a short drive from their home of Ann Arbor, MI. On Saturday afternoon, the losers of the first two games will meet in a third place consolation game, while the winners will meet later that evening for the conference title. The winner will receive and automatic berth into the NCAA Frozen Four Tournament. Game One: Northern Michigan vs. Notre Dame (Fox Sports Network – Detroit 4:35EST) Game Two: Alaska vs. Michigan (Big Ten Network 8:05EST) Championship Game: (Fox Sports Network – Detroit 7:35EST) Contact the author at john.strathman@prohockeynews.com
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