NCAA Hockey Conference Tournaments -- Part II

This is part one of a five part series previewing conference tournaments.  Two today, two tomorrow, and one Friday Morning should set you off right!  Atlantic Hockey

We're going to look now at the CCHA.  The CCHA has seven teams ranked in this weeks' Top 20; #2 Ferris State, #4 Michigan, #11 Miami (OH), #15 Michigan State, #16 Western Michigan, #17 Notre Dame, & #20 LSSU.  Ferris State & Michigan are locks for this year's tournament, whereas Sparty, the Broncos, Irish, & Lakers all need to do some work to ensure they make it in.  Everyone else needs to win out to get a bid.  We're picking up auarterfinal action, taking place March 9th-11th

via College Hockey News

(11) Bowling Green Falcons @ (1) #2 Ferris State Bulldogs

-Bowling Green State (12-22-5, 5-19-4)

--Previous Round:  2-1 over (6) Northern Michigan

-#2 Ferris State (22-9-5, 16-7-5)

--Previous Round: Bye

Bowling Green overachieved by knocking out Northern Michigan.  Ferris State is one of the elite teams in the entire country, so it's a tall task to ask the Falcons to come in and win, especially noting that the Bulldogs swept the season series 4-0.  Look for Jordie Johnston and the regular season champs to roll. 

Robby's pick: Ferris State 2-0

via Frat House Sports

(8) #17 Notre Dame Fighting Irish @ (2) #4 Michigan Wolverines

-#17 Notre Dame (19-16-3, 12-13-1)

--Last Round: 2-0 over Ohio State

-#4 Michigan (21-11-4, 15-9-4)

--Last Round: Bye

These two teams swapped wins in their season series, however, Michigan's looked too good down the stretch.  Notre Dame & CCHA Scoring Leader T.J. Tynan will have to play their best hockey three straight games to have a shot.

Robby's pick:  Michigan 2-0

via Western Herald

(7) #20 Lake Superior State Lakers @ (3) #16 Western Michigan

-Lake Superior State (18-15-5, 11-13-4)

--Previous Round: 2-0 over Alaska-Fairbanks

-#16 Western Michigan (17-13-6, 14-10-4)

--Previous Round:  Bye

This series is a must win for #16 Western Michigan's NCAA Tournament hopes.  LSSU is looking to play spoiler, however.  They've split the season series, so Captain Ian Slater will need to guide this young team past the nerves and recent history. 

Robby's pick:  Western Michigan 2-1

via Rumors & Rants

(5) #15 Michigan State Spartans @ (4) #11 Miami (OH) Red Hawks

-Michigan State (19-13-4, 14-11-3)

--Previous Round: Bye

-Miami (OH) (21-13-2, 15-11-2)

--Previous Round: Bye

One team's tournament dreams will live on to face Ferris State.  The other's?  Well, they'll die.  Coming into Oxford I guarantee you Sparty is more than looking to crash this party.  Miami swept the season series, but remember, all that goes out the window in the Frozen March Madness.  State needs this series in order to keep the dream alive.

Robby's pick:  Michigan State 2-1