{"id":28934,"date":"2007-02-09T17:16:54","date_gmt":"2007-02-09T23:16:54","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.uscho.com\/2007\/02\/09\/this-week-in-the-ncha-and-mcha-feb-9-2007\/"},"modified":"2010-08-17T19:56:56","modified_gmt":"2010-08-18T00:56:56","slug":"this-week-in-the-ncha-and-mcha-feb-9-2007","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.uscho.com\/2007\/02\/09\/this-week-in-the-ncha-and-mcha-feb-9-2007\/","title":{"rendered":"This Week In The NCHA and MCHA: Feb. 9, 2007"},"content":{"rendered":"
One more week to go in the NCHA and two in the MCHA, and despite the NCHA big dogs beating up on each other a bit not much has changed in terms of the national scene. <\/p>\n
UW-Stout’s loss to UW-Superior dropped them out of the top spot in the PWR, but only down to No. 3. St. Norbert remains at No. 4 with a two-win weekend but UW-River Falls drops a spot to No. 7 following a loss to St. Scholastica. Meanwhile, despite a loss UW-Superior holds at No. 8. <\/p>\n
In the MCHA, MSOE’s sweep of Northland moves them up three spots to No. 17. Although Finlandia and Lawrence split last weekend, one moves up while the other falls in the PWR. Finlandia jumps two spots to No. 19 but Lawrence drops two to No. 34.<\/p>\n
Now that I have been prattling on for three weeks about the PWR, it’s time to further elaborate on things. As not all variables are yet included in the PWR we need to be careful about throwing the cart in front of the horse, but the picture is still beginning to focus.<\/p>\n
As far as the MCHA is concerned, they are unfortunately out of luck as far as the NCAA Tournament goes. The lack of an automatic bid for the conference means MCHA teams must rely on the Pool B bid for conferences not possessing an autobid, or the Pool C bids which are general at-large berths.<\/p>\n
In the current PWR there are four Pool B eligible teams ahead of the MCHA’s highest-ranked team, MSOE, which means it just won’t be an option. Likewise, there are 16 Pool C eligible teams ahead of the Raiders so once again, the league is just plain out of luck. Even if MSOE or Finlandia were to win out their remaining games, it would not be enough.<\/p>\n
The NCHA presents a much more complex situation, however. UW-Stout, UW-River Falls, St. Norbert and UW-Superior are all in position to make the NCAA Tournament, but it’s not likely all four will go. While it’s possible that one of the other four teams could win the conference tournament and snag the autobid, that’s just too far out to deal with right now. What can be dealt with is the past, and the picture it paints in the PWR.<\/p>\n
This weekend, all NCHA fans should become temporary observers of the ECAC-W. Not only that, but they should all become fans of top-ranked Manhattanville. Why, you ask? Because Neumann sits one spot ahead of UW-River Falls and UW-Superior in the PWR, and just happens to be hosting the Valiants for a two-game set this weekend. For now, any loss by Neumann helps the NCHA teams who are trying to sneak past them in the PWR, and the NCHA would be best suited by getting ahead of as many teams as possible. For now, that’s about as in-depth as we can get. Go Valiants.<\/p>\n
With only four games remaining in league play, two clear races have emerged. MSOE has led the conference the entire season, but in somewhat surprising fashion Finlandia has remained within striking difference.<\/p>\n
The battle for third place is also shaping up to be a fine one, with Marian currently holding a one point lead over red-hot Lawrence.<\/p>\n
Some major credit should be given to the MCHA schedule makers as in the final weekend of the season, MSOE heads to Finlandia for two games while Lawrence and Marian will square off in a home-and-home series. Both series will likely determine the final positions of all four teams, but we won’t know for sure until this weekend’s games are complete.<\/p>\n
Last week I broke down the NCHA conference race with two weeks to go, which means it’s now time to do the same for the MCHA. Thankfully, it is a little less convoluted than the NCHA.<\/p>\n
MSOE (1st place, 28 points)<\/b>
\nRemaining games:<\/b> Lawrence, @ Lawrence, @ Finlandia, @ Finlandia
\nOutlook:<\/b> The Raiders have not been as dominant as many predicted they might be this season, but they have been dominant enough that a third straight MCHA crown is within their grasp. While the Raiders are in control, they have arguably the most difficult schedule remaining in the league. None of their remaining games are gimmes, and the trip to Finlandia to close out the season will be especially difficult as the Lions gave MSOE fits earlier this season. So how good of shape are the Raiders in? If they obtain more points than Finlandia this weekend the conference title is theirs. A sweep of Lawrence, regardless of what Finlandia does, will guarantee at least a tie for the conference. Finally, if the Raiders stumble and Finlandia sweeps, MSOE will be traveling to Hancock, Mich. next weekend for a showdown that will determine the conference champion.<\/p>\n
Finlandia (2nd place, 24 points)<\/b>
\nRemaining games:<\/b> UM-Crookston, UM-Crookston, MSOE, MSOE
\nOutlook:<\/b> Despite a tough loss at Lawrence last Friday the Lions are still within striking distance, which is where they wanted to be heading into the final weekend of the season. Finlandia thinks they could have taken all four points from MSOE earlier in the season, but they only picked up two and are dying to get them at home next weekend — preferably with something on the line. If Finlandia can sweep UM-Crookston this weekend they will be guaranteed, at worst, a shot at a tie for the MCHA title. If the Lions are able to sweep and MSOE fails to take four points this weekend, they will have a shot at the outright title. Simply speaking, if Finlandia is able to win two home games this weekend they will at least have a shot at the title.<\/p>\n
Marian (3rd place, 18 points)<\/b>
\nRemaining games:<\/b> Northland, Northland, @ Lawrence, Lawrence
\nOutlook:<\/b> The Sabres have been somewhat overshadowed all season. Between a slow start in non-conference play and the tear Lawrence has been on recently, no one is talking much about them. The fact remains though that they are in third place in the league, and look to be in fairly good position to hold it. The Sabres get two home games this weekend against last place Northland, and four points is a distinct possibility. If they are able to sweep the Lumberjacks, third place would be theirs if MSOE sweeps Lawrence. Even if Lawrence were to split with MSOE, a Marian sweep this weekend would set it up so they only would need a split with Lawrence next weekend in order to hold third position. Bottom line for the Sabres is that the schedule works in their favor, and if they get four points as expected against Northland they will be in very good position to finish in third.<\/p>\n
Lawrence (4th place, 17 points)<\/b>
\nRemaining games:<\/b> @ MSOE, MSOE, Marian, @ Marian
\nOutlook:<\/b> By now everyone knows that the Vikings are a legitimate threat. Looking back, however, a one-point weekend earlier this season against UM-Crookston may have been just enough to prevent them from moving into the top three. While a sweep of MSOE is possible, it isn’t likely as the Raiders have not been swept all season. The best case scenario for Lawrence would probably them earning a split with MSOE while hoping Northland finds a way to steal one from Marian. As mentioned, however, it’s fair to expect a Marian sweep of Northland, which means the Vikings need at least one point this weekend to have any shot at third.<\/p>\n
UM-Crookston (5th place, 8 points)<\/b>
\nRemaining games:<\/b> @ Finlandia, @ Finlandia, Northland, Northland
\nOutlook:<\/b> The Golden Eagles have the chance to play spoiler. A win over Finlandia this weekend would significantly dim the Lions’ chances of winning the league, but unfortunately for UM-Crookston that’s about all they can do as fifth place is theirs unless they lose out while Northland finds a way to win its first four games of the season. Suffice to say this is your fifth place team.<\/p>\n
Northland (6th place, 1 point)<\/b>
\nRemaining games:<\/b> @ Marian, @ Marian, @ UM-Crookston, @ UM-Crookston
\nOutlook:<\/b> The Lumberjacks are still winless in league play, and are all but a lock for last place. Despite closing out the season on the road, the Lumberjacks have a shot at getting in the win column next week as they travel to Crookston, who they tied and lost to in overtime earlier this season. That’s about all they can hope for though, as unfortunately for Northland, the final spot is theirs once again.<\/p>\n
This Week’s Schedule<\/b><\/p>\n
Friday, Feb. 9<\/b>
\nNorthland @ Marian
\nLawrence @ MSOE
\nUM-Crookston @ Finlandia<\/p>\n
Saturday, Feb. 10<\/b>
\nNorthland @ Marian
\nMSOE @ Lawrence
\nUM-Crookston @ Finlandia<\/p>\nThis Week in the NCHA<\/h4>\n