PAPILLION, NEBRASKA – After four first round sweeps, the CCHA moves to the second round of its conference tournament. Awaiting last week’s winners is the top four seeds that received first round byes based on their conference record throughout the regular season. The second round will be played at the home rinks of the top four seeds with last week’s winners traveling to the respective campuses. The second round will feature a best of three series, similar to the first. The four winners will meet next weekend at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, Michigan for the Conference Championship and an automatic bid to the NCAA finals.
Ohio State at Miami
Te Buckeyes will have a tall task ahead of them after defeating Notre Dame in the first round. The road trip to Oxford, Ohio will be short, but could very well be hostile of the scipt Ohio faithful do not attend in large enough numbers. Miami is the best team in the conference and possibly the country and failed to close out the National Championship game to Boston University last season. The RedHawks return much of the same team a year older and more mature. Miami wins 2-0
Michigan at Michigan State
If this season’s Conference Tourney was a movie it would be cheesy as evidenced by Michigan travelling to play in state rivals Michigan State. If you don’t believe these two hate each other, just wear the others shirts around campus. The Spartans won the regular season series 3-1 with three one point games, one shut out, and four sell outs. Both teams sport two of the best goalies in Bryan Hogan (UM) and Drew Palmisano (MSU) in the conference as well as several elite scorers. Michigan State wins 2-1
Nebraska-Omaha at Ferris State
Ferris State skated into Omaha last year in the conference tournament and now hosts the Mavericks in their final CCHA tournament before they move to their new conference. Head Coach Dean Blais has reworked Nebraska-Omaha with great success and the Bulldogs cannot rely on their early season series sweep in Big Rapids, Michigan. Nebraska-Omaha has been hot of late and will not be going away quietly. Nebraska-Omaha 2-1
Alaska at Northern Michigan
The Wildcats have played well all season and been fairly consistent. On the opposite side of the coin are the Nanooks. Alaska has played well and won just as gloriously as they have lost. Expect a well fought battle as the regular season series resulted in two ties that Alaska gained an extra point on via the shootout by a score of 2-1 in each game. This series could just as easily be played in Fairbanks as it is in Marquette. Both teams offer great scoring and solid goaltenders complimented by exceptional defense. Too close to call 2-1
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