Ncha 2021-22

[Tom Coughlin]

NCHA conference play kicks off this weekend. A new format this year, with a 3/2/1 point structure, 3-3 overtime with a shootout if still tied after 5 minutes.

Adrian is the heavy favorite to repeat as regular season champs based on the coaches poll, but the conference looks to be as competitive as ever.

[pete99race]

It will be interesting to see how the NCHA approaches the rescheduling of the Lawrence @ Adrian series (Jan. 7-8), which has been postponed due to Covid protocol.
Both teams have weekend series with other opponents lined up through Feb. 11 - 12...and the NCHA conference playoffs start the following weekend.

[Tom Coughlin]

It will be interesting to see how the NCHA approaches the rescheduling of the Lawrence @ Adrian series (Jan. 7-8), which has been postponed due to Covid protocol.
Both teams have weekend series with other opponents lined up through Feb. 11 - 12...and the NCHA conference playoffs start the following weekend.

That will be tough to squeeze in, especially given the travel time from Appleton to Adrian.

[pete99race]

That will be tough to squeeze in, especially given the travel time from Appleton to Adrian.

Could give the teams a third game during a future week...Adrian has two game road series versus both Concordia and Aurora yet to play and Lawrence has a two game road series @ LFC...

[pete99race]

Now, I see the MSOE vs Marian series this coming weekend has been postponed.

[pete99race]

The Trine/Finlandia series has been moved to Jan. 10 - 11.

[Tom Coughlin]

Playoff scenarios heading into the final week of the season

https://www.nchahockey.org/sports/mi...20230208wz0nih

Interesting to note that the tiebreaker actually wouldn't be relevant if SNC were to take 4 points this weekend against Adrian. That would actually put SNC in first outright with 40 points, Adrian at 39 points.

Regardless, it should be a fun weekend of hockey in the NCHA as always.

[Sir Nubs]

St. Norbert with a good rebound today against Adrian. SNC may be down a little from past years but much of the NCHA has really improved. SNC has beaten both Adrian and Trine this year, while perennial national power Utica went 0-2-1 against those two teams. Makes me wonder what Utica's record would be in the NCHA as opposed to the league of cripples they're in presently.

[Tom Coughlin]

Fishman trolling aside...MSOE has a 5-2 lead over Aurora after 2. If the current result holds, or the game goes to OT, SNC will grab the 2 seed.

[Tom Coughlin]

Although I have to agree that the NCHA has become incredibly competitive. 1-4 will be separated by at most 4 points in the standings pending the final in Aurora.

[Sir Nubs]

Although I have to agree that the NCHA has become incredibly competitive. 1-4 will be separated by at most 4 points in the standings pending the final in Aurora.

Which means a lot of teams have gotten better. It's not just the Adrian and St. Norbert show anymore.

Based on what I've seen this year, Utica would be lucky to get home ice for the quarterfinals in the NCHA. If a perennial national power such as Utica would be fifth at best, then the NCHA is competitive as heck.

[Tom Coughlin]

Goaltending apparently optional in Aurora as AU has tied it up at 6 with plenty of time remaining.

[Tom Coughlin]

Unbelievable. Aurora comes all the way back to win 7-6 in regulation and steal the 2 seed. SNC will be 3 and Trine 4. Top 4 finish with 40, 39, 39, and 37 points.

[altazo]

Fishman trolling aside...MSOE has a 5-2 lead over Aurora after 2. If the current result holds, or the game goes to OT, SNC will grab the 2 seed.

I'm glad SNC is the 3 seed because I want to see them get another crack at Marian on the regulation sheet. Only bummer about being #3 is the potential trip to Aurora (whom I also want to see them have another crack at!) where they, no doubt, will be scheduled in the Pee Wee time slot around lunchtime because Aurora is not the primary tenant at their home rink and has to schedule around a Junior team.

[Tom Coughlin]

It's so hard not to think about what could have been with this year's SNC squad. I realize that the season isn't over yet, but if they could have closed out just one of three games in January where they had a 2 goal lead in the third period (two of those with less than 3 minutes to play), they'd be regular season conference champs.