CCHA’s Saturday recaps, 2nd round projections

By Brian Kalisher –

The second round of the CCHA playoffs won’t be decided until the conclusion of the Bowling Green/Northern Michiagn series tonight. However, with only one game remaining, the playoff picture is starting to come into focus. Here’s the potential match-ups for each outcome of tonight’s game:

If Northern Michigan wins:

Ferris State vs. Notre Dame

Michigan vs. Lake Superior

Western Michigan vs. Northern Michigan

Miami vs. Michigan State

If Bowling Green wins:

Ferris State vs. Bowling Green

Michigan vs. Notre Dame

Western Michigan vs. Lake Superior

Miami vs. Michigan State

Saturday night recaps:

Lake Superior 2, Alaska 0

The Lakers defeated the Nanooks for the second time in as many nights, earning a spot in the second round of the CCHA playoffs.  Sophomore goaltender Kevin Kapalka posted 36 saves for the second night in a row to earn the shutout, while the game-winner came at just 5:30 of the first period, compliments of freshman Chris Ciotti.  Senior Kyle Haines iced the game with an empty-net goal at 19:59 of the third.  Lake Superior now looks ahead to square off against either Michigan or Western Michigan depending on the outcome of tonight’s Northern Michigan/Bowling Green matchup.  If NMU earns the victory, Lake Superior will face them in Round 2.

Bowling Green 5, Northern Michigan 3

Bowling Green defeated Northern Michigan Saturday night 5-3 to even up their series at one game apiece.  Stephan Vigier punched in a first-period tally, while Justin Florek and Matt Thurber notched power play goals in the first and second frames to round out the Wildcats’ scoring.  Unfortunately for them, they couldn’t stop BG’s flurry of goals – they scored four in a row in the second and third periods – to take the victory and even out the series.  The two squads face off again tonight to decide the series.  NMU goaltender Reid Ellingson made 24 saves, while his Bowling Green counterpart, Andrew Hammond, made 30. If history repeats itself, Bowling Green will advance in OT – in case you didn’t know by now, this is still the same exact situation both teams were in last year, same seeding and all.

Notre Dame 4, Ohio State 2

Notre Dame took down Ohio State 4-2 Saturday night, sweeping the Buckeyes, to reach the second round of the CCHA playoffs.  Jeff Costello, Anders Lee, Mike Voran and Billy Maday all chipped in goals for the Irish, while goaltender Steven Summerhays made 31 saves – his second straight 30-plus save game in a row.  Notre dame now looks ahead to either play Ferris State or Michigan depending on the outcome of the Northern Michigan/Bowling Green series.  If NMU wins, Notre Dame will face first-seed Ferris State.  If BG is victorious, Notre Dame will face the Wolverines.