Re: The 2010 CCHA Championships 3/19-20: FSU, Miami, Michigan, and NMU
With the field in this tourney, there really should be nothing in the outcome that surprises anyone, no matter what the results.
With all due respect to DaveyK who has forgotten more about NMU hockey than I know, I would be very surprised if NMU lost to Ferris. While they did beat UNO at home, it was hardly a shock. 1) UNO didn't travel very well this season (4-11-3) including two losses earlier in the year at Ferris. 2) Ferris is undefeated (12-0-0) at home in CCHA playoffs.
Ferris finished 3-7-4 (prior to UNO). They could manage just two ties against lowly Western the last weekend of the season when the pressure was on to keep their position in the standings. This is the first trip to the Joe since 2002-2003.
NMU finished 8-3-3 (excluding Alaska wins in 1st round) NMU pretty much had their way in Big Rapids in mid-February. NMU is battle tested at the JOE having been there 7 of last 8 years. The Cat Seniors have only missed the Joe one time in their career. My sense is the team feels like they have unfinished business. I suspect Ferris players and fans are just delighted to be at the Joe, as they should.
Nagle has had a good season for Ferris but he ain't Stewie. Ferris has no answer for POY candidate Gussy or CCHA leading scorer Ollie.
Ferris figures they have to win a game. In their minds, NMU seems an easier task than Miami or Michigan. Figure them to come out just like Alaska in the 2nd game at the Berry...trying to win it in the first period. Count on NMU to sit back and play defensively, letting da Dogs tucker themselves out mentally and physically. NMU will get outshot 5 to 1 but very few of those shots will be scoring chances where most of NMU's will be. NMU will score late first or early second and have to withstand a Ferris rush in the first five minutes of the third period and again when Ferris pulls Nagle at the end. Final score 4-1 Cats.
While obviously possible, a Ferris win would be surprising.
I suspect Miami will handle Michigan although it will seem like a very far away game. Having nothing to play for (NCAA), Michigan will tank the consolation game giving Ferris the win they need.
Miami and NMU will be a great contest that will come down to goaltenders. NMU has tremendous respect fo Miami but not one centilla of fear. In fact, NMU would love to face Miami. Not so much the other way around. We lost two 1 goal early season home games to Miami. NMU was stricken with swine flu during that series and would love to have a chance at the Hawks now that they are healthy. The difference will be goaltending. Repeat after me...Stewie Stewie Stewie.
I will also predict that a member of the Northern contingent will steal the NMU banner hanging in the Ren Center. I seem to remember last year the NMU banner was printed with Ferris colors. Kinda p1ssed us off.
