CCHA Reasons To Watch: Rematches, Homecoming, Butterfly Finding Its Wings

This weekend at FloHockey, two playoff rematches, a bittersweet Homecoming, and Butterfly Finding Wings are on full display.

Payback

In the last two NCAA Tournaments, the Minnesota Mavericks ended a promising season for the Minnesota hockey flagship force, the Minnesota Golden Gophers, but six months in college hockey is a lifetime.

The Mavs lost Hobie-Baker Award-winning goaltender Dryden McKay, but the Gophers got the most exciting recruit in college hockey.

A five-goal exhibition loss last week left the Mavericks stumped in the polls. It looks like it will pay off this weekend as his two powerhouses in Minnesota play a home-and-home rematch from his 2022 NCAA semifinals.

Saturday’s game in Mankato will be a must-see TV show on FloHockey, but don’t expect to see the same Purple People Eaters that came around the time they won the NCAA title last spring.

“Our group is different,” said Mike Hastings, who is in his 11th year as head coach at Minnesota State University. “We are different from post to post. Even back to the blue line, we are different from top to bottom. We have to own it.”

#5 Mavericks vs. #2 Gophers this weekend.
detail: https://t.co/P6pv22Qq8o pic.twitter.com/urAOXWlfqn

— Minnesota State Hockey (@MinnStMHockey) October 4, 2022

For the past two years, Minnesota’s bragging rights weren’t resolved until the final weekend of the season.

Minnesota, St. Cloud, Duluth, and Minnesota State University have all participated in the Frozen Four for the last two seasons, and one team has been in the NCAA championship game for the past three years, but Hockey Mountain climbing to the top A win in Minnesota doesn’t translate into a win for Recruit.

Hastings will build a club with veterans who graduated from junior hockey, and the Golden Gophers will get some of the country’s most attractive teenagers, like current freshman Logan Cooley.

“He’s incredibly talented and a headache for opposing coaches,” Hastings said of the skater who finished third overall in the NHL Draft three months ago. He’s multifaceted, he scores goals, he misses people, he’s talented, he’s talented, he’s hungry.”

Giving the Gophers a golden glow is the conveyor belt of talent that runs through Minneapolis.

“Their line-up, draft picks, big names in their program are obviously flashy,” said Mavericks acting captain Sam Morton. “It’s definitely an exciting game.”

No. 2 Minnesota and No. 5 Minnesota on FloHockey prime time Saturday night.

The latter is trying to find himself, the former wants to settle unfinished business. The pride of recent conquests could be at a disadvantage when the pack drops this weekend.

“Last year is over,” Hastings said. “You need to look at the windshield, not the rear-view mirror.”

prodigal son

At 8:01 p.m. ET on Friday, a crowd gathers at the Sanford Center in Bemidji to face the dilemma of a caesarean section.

Over the past two seasons, at least one Schillinger brother has set the pace for Bemidji’s hockey Beavers. Last season, senior Owen and his sophomore Lucas led Bemidji to his CCHA championship game.

The offseason brings Owen’s graduation and Lucas’ transfer, and now Bemidji finds himself missing the passion, guts, and irrepressible will of the men named Schillinger.

Game week is finally here!!

The Beavers are hosting Arizona State University at the Sanford Center this weekend!!#gobeavers #beaver territory pic.twitter.com/vblr3DNFOT

— Bemidji State Men’s Hockey (@BSUBeaversMHKY) October 3, 2022

In a story twist reminiscent of the ancient Homer, the schedule makers returned Lucas Schillinger to his original home on opening night, but instead of wearing the greens of Bemidji Forest, he wore the clothes of independent startup Arizona. Decorated with sherbet glitter. of NCAA hockey.

At Wednesday’s press conference on the shores of Lake Bemidji, the elephant in the room was ignored as veteran coach Tom Serratore and his captain didn’t bring up the subject of Schillinger’s return.

Despite the deafening silence, fans dominate the moment. Will Bieber’s third top scorer of 2021-2022 get the applause he deserves? Or will Schillinger be serenaded by a passionate chorus of boos for showing up in the wrong laundry? A classic sports moment happens just seconds after Friday’s broadcast on FloHockey.?

Emotions become more instinctive when the game is over. Post-match handshakes allow players to fully express themselves. His one of the enemy Sun Demon members is embraced rather than shaken. His No. 61 in an orange sweater will be embraced by all Green veterans, players in his line of congas who have benefited from his full-blown passion for the past two years.

ballet not brown

CCHA hockey fans are attacking fanatics and are familiar with the violent world of wall battles and crease wars that determine victory in a league known for its relentless fighting spirit.

Arizona State has adapted to this frequently played league and embraced the fierce play of its new rivals. Still, finesse fixtures will be on display for Sun His Devils this weekend in a series at Bemidji, where he is one of the most accomplished skaters in the country to escape Boston.

ASU junior Tim Lovell is a defenseman who plays at 159 pounds, but he’s a prodigious talent and worth watching every shift at FloHockey this weekend.

Focus on Bemidji #BeTheTradition /// #O2V pic.twitter.com/lPrl4xwH4E

— Sun Devil Hockey (@SunDevilHockey) October 3, 2022

A power-playing quarterback with a unique skill set, supreme hockey IQ and microscopic turning radius, Lovell bolted Boston College for lack of ice time and transferred to the desert. But his reputation followed him.

“It’s hard to find someone who can do what he can,” said an NHL scout who claimed to be anonymous.

The diminutive Lovell had a breakout year last season, finishing in the top 10 nationally in scoring on defense.

“Some dudes suddenly popped,” said the scout, who has been watching Ravel for a decade. “Now it’s his turn to pop.”

Contender or Pretender?

Last year’s NCAA qualifiers, Michigan Tech, lost 10 elite players to graduation and were picked by coaches and pundits to finish off home ice in the CCHA standings. And last week’s eye exam revealed coach Joe Shohan was a crybaby.

He has 12 other players who have been devouring top 6 ice time over the last two seasons. They scored his 11th goal in exhibition play last weekend. This includes a commanding win over good Lake State his club.

They now travel to Ferris for a non-conference game on Friday, and Flow Hockey viewers can watch the newly unleashed huskies sprint on the small ice in Big Rapids.

For those who like to bet on sports for recreation, the 1.5 goals awarded to an improved Ferris State club (the team that let Tech overtime when playing at home in last year’s NCAA quarter) looks like an opportunity. may look like

Don’t fall for the trap.

Michigan Tech still has one of the CCHA’s best goalkeepers, Blake Pietilä, and a kennel full of hungry hounds. Give half a goal. It may be an empty net goal to get to the finish line, but Smart his money requires skill both on the ice and in the spread.