Well, looky here. It’s October … and it’s hockey season. There is one Division I game involving a CCHA team this weekend; there are eight exhibition games between CCHA teams and visiting Canadian college hockey teams, and Notre Dame plays the Under-18 team in exhibition. I don’t pick exhibition games, although I do believe that … Read more
It’s hard to believe that the college hockey season will be over in a matter of hours. The Frozen Four this year has been a fantastic event. Tampa has been an excellent host city — they really know what they’re doing here — and even though the Alabama-Huntsville presence hasn’t been very noticeable this week, … Read more
It’s a great day for hockey. It’s a little overcast and the palm trees are too still — just a little breeze — but it’s lovely. Yes, it’s a little freaky that college hockey’s grand finale is being played out this weekend in a subtropical climate, but the greater hockey community seems to have adjusted … Read more
There won’t be any analysis or explanation with these picks. I just figured that if I don’t post something, tens of hockey fans will have one fewer thing to complain about on a Friday. Why would I want to deprive anyone of that pleasure? First, my numbers. They aren’t good. Last week: 1-3 Season to … Read more
The 2012 CCHA championship tournament is in the books — and it was fantastic. Congratulations to the Western Michigan Broncos, the 2011-12 CCHA Mason Cup winners! Seriously, this field of teams was amazing and every game was entertaining in its own right. The first two periods of the title game between WMU and Michigan were … Read more
When I think about my second-round CCHA playoff picks, I hear Patsy Cline singing, “So Wrong,” over and over and over again. Obviously, you can’t take my picks to the bank. Last week: 5-6 Season to date: 131-88-25 (.588) If I’m above .500 after the first weekend in April, I’ll be happy. The bigger picture … Read more
Here’s the field for the CCHA Championship Tournament at Joe Louis Arena: No. 4 Bowling Green vs. No. 1 Michigan No. 3 Miami vs. No. 2 Western Michigan The Broncos and RedHawks will play the early game before Bowling Green upsets Michigan. I’m just stating the obvious, at this point (and anticipating commentary and email … Read more
I have a feeling about a specific upset this weekend — but I thought Northern Michigan would sweep and Alaska would win a game last weekend. You know by now never to take my picks to the bank. Last week: 4-4 Season to date: 126-82-25 (.594) Because it’s the playoffs and I call individual games … Read more
Here are next week’s playoff matches: No. 8 Bowling Green at No. 1 Ferris State No. 7 Notre Dame at No. 2 Michigan No. 6 Lake Superior State at No. 3 Western Michigan No. 5 Michigan State at No. 4 Miami I think we’ve learned quite a bit from the first round of the CCHA … Read more
After rebounding two weeks ago with a really strong performance, this past week was a bit disappointing. Of course, I’m talking about my picks. Last week: 7-4-1 Season to date: 122-78-25 (.598) Clearly, my math was way off last week. I’m still happy with anything over .500. This week We have three best-of-three, first-round, single-site … Read more
Congratulations to Ferris State, your 2011-12 CCHA regular-season champions. This is the second title for the Bulldogs, who last won in 2002-03. Should this team go as far as it is capable of going, the Bulldogs may someday become icons of the kind of league that once upon a time existed in college hockey. So, … Read more
Winter has returned to Flint, Mich., and the snow is a definite improvement over the everlasting gray of these past several weeks. There are three CCHA games televised in my area Friday night: Ohio State at Miami and Michigan State at Notre Dame (CBS), and Ferris State at Western Michigan (Fox). Comcast is covering Saturday’s … Read more
A quick glance at the standings after this past weekend’s play shows us something we haven’t seen all season: nearly every team occupies a place of its own in the CCHA standings. Only Notre Dame and Northern Michigan share a spot — and what a surprise it is that those two teams are tied nearer … Read more
We are coming down to it. Theoretically, eight CCHA teams are in the hunt for the regular-season title. Theoretically. That’s everybody above 10th place except for the Buckeyes, who have two fewer regular-season games remaining than everyone else above 10th place. All the Bulldogs or Broncos have to do is win out to win it … Read more
Three things from the weekend: 1. Ferris State is taking care of business. I don’t know of any better way to put it. In a season when sweeps are rare, the Bulldogs are able to close that deal better than anyone else in the second half — and that simple fact may lead to a … Read more
Coming down to the last few weeks, there is so much uncertainty in the CCHA — and the standings are so very close — that it’s overwhelming to consider all the permutations. Here are a few interesting tidbits, though: Ferris State and Western Michigan are the only two teams near the top of the standings … Read more
With just three weekends of play remaining, nothing will be decided until the very end. Three things from this most recent weekend of play. 1. The Ferris State-Western Michigan series at the end of February will determine the regular-season champion, unless … 2. …the Wolverines have something to say about it. Okay, so this is … Read more
It’s the beginning of the end — of this season, anyway. Here’s how I’m doing: Last week: 6-3-1 Season to date: 95-63-23 (.588) Remember that adage about a broken clock and the frequency of its accuracy? Yeah. Like that. This week Everyone plays this weekend. All series are Friday-Saturday, single site. The games in Ann … Read more
Yet again, a weekend of play reminds us of how unpredictable this season is. Three quick things: 1. Ferris State may be the story of the year — or not. Raise your hand if you thought the Bulldogs would be in first place at any point this season. Okay, so if you’re a die-hard Bulldogs … Read more
What a strange season. In one of those if-the-season-were-to-end-today scenarios, seven CCHA teams would likely make the NCAA tournament; all seven of those teams are currently ranked. Lake Superior State just dropped out of the current rankings. To be honest, I don’t know what to think. In past years when the CCHA has appeared strong … Read more