MCRHL Championships This Weekend in Wixom

 

(1) #1 Michigan State vs. (8) Illinois

 

The Spartans swept this season series with 11-2 and 11-7 victories very early in the year.  MSU looks to be on a real roll right now after beating Eastern Michigan to earn the regular season crown.  The Spartans were the number one seed last year as well, but were ousted in the tournament losing to Eastern Michigan in the second round and Illinois State after that in the loser?s bracket.  Winning the Haschel Cup would be perfect revenge and a great way to end the MCRHL season and head into nationals for MSU.  Illinois has had another decent season, including a trip to the NCRHA Winter Invitational, but will need huge upsets to make the national tournament.  Their bigger game may end up in the second round, against either Miami or Michigan.

 

(2) #3 Eastern Michigan vs. (7) Ohio State

 

This is a rematch of last year?s first round 4/5 matchup and eventual final, with the Eagles winning the inaugural Haschel Cup Championship.  The wheels seem to have fallen off for the Buckeyes, but don?t count them out yet, their talent gives them a chance to make a lot of noise in this tournament, even as the seventh seed.  Eastern will be looking to bounce back from losing the regular season championship to Michigan State, and will want to get on a good roll heading into the national tournament.

 

(3) #17 Western Michigan vs. (6) Illinois State

 

The Redbirds were probably the Cinderella story last season in the tournament, knocking a couple of teams out of the tournament, including a shutout against MSU, before being knocked out by eventual runner-up Ohio State.  Though Western won both games in this series, the last one was extremely close, and the Redbirds could be looking to raise some eyebrows nationally after holding their own in the Winter Invitational.  The Broncos hope to bring some consistency to an up and down season which saw them beat Michigan State for the first time, but get swept by Miami of Ohio.  They have quietly put together an outstanding 16-7 record though, with their only losses coming to MSU, Miami, and Eastern Michigan.

 

(4) Miami of Ohio vs. (5) Michigan

 

These two teams tied in points in the regular season, and split their series, so Miami gets to be the home team by way of goal differential in this intriguing matchup.  The Redhawks didn?t even qualify for the postseason last year, but have made a dramatic turnaround and finished with an 8-8-2 MCRHL record.  They have not qualified for a national tournament since moving from Division II to Division I, and should be a team to watch all weekend.  The Wolverines look to be in good standing nationally after performing so well at the Winter Invitational, but the selection committee can be picky, and at least a couple of nice wins would look great on their tournament resume.

 

 

The safe picks to win the Haschel Cup are Eastern Michigan and Michigan State, but anyone down to the bottom seeds does have a legitimate chance to have an impact.  Can anyone upset the Spartans or Eagles?  Will there be any overtime thrillers like last year?s Ball State/Ohio State elimination matchup?  Will anyone from the loser?s bracket be able to get through the more demanding schedule and win the tournament?  All of these questions will be answered this weekend, and the Active Division tournament kicks off tomorrow at 9:00.

 

(1) #2 Michigan State B vs. (8) Ohio State B

 

Given this is the 1/8 game and Michigan State B has been so tough to beat this season, one would expect a blowout, but the three games between these teams have been competitive so far.  In a league with so many good B teams, and only 8 teams nationally being invited to Colorado, winning the tournament is imperative for anyone who wants a spot, so MSU B will have to show intensity throughout the tournament.  OSU B struggled to 5 points during the regular season, but as the last seed in last year?s tournament, the Buckeyes eliminated heavily favored Michigan and will look to do the same this year.

 

(2) Northern Illinois vs. (7) Michigan Tech

 

Two affiliates will battle in the first round, both making their first appearance in a championship tournament environment.  Northern swept the three regular season games, but all occurred in the same weekend, and taking the MTU Huskies lightly is a mistake the NIU Huskies won?t want to make.  Both of these teams display a lot of character and spunk, game in and game out, which should make this one exciting.  Clearly the road team of the country, Michigan Tech?s dedication isn?t questioned, and they?ll be looking to have an impact after accumulating a quiet 10 points in the regular season.  Northern Illinois is a team that has received little respect from the B squads, and certainly will look to prove them wrong and win the championship in Wixom.

 

(3) #5 Western Michigan B vs. (6) #16 Illinois B

 

For two top-25 B teams to meet in the 3/6 MCRHL game is a testament to how strong this division is this season.  The season series was split, with the Illini coming through huge in the last meeting, 8-5.  Illinois B has one hope to make the national tournament, and that?s by pulling off some upsets and winning the Midwest Cup.  This win would be a great start.  Western Michigan B will be looking to ensure their place in Fort Collins this year, after being ranked highly and overlooked last season for the national tournament.  Every game in the Development Division playoffs will have something on the line, and this will be one of the biggest first round matchups.

 

(4) #4 Eastern Michigan B vs. (5) #9 Michigan B

 

The defending champs are seeded all the way down in fourth, and certainly are a threat to take the tournament, but so is their first-round opponent.  The teams were separated by just one point in the regular season standings, and split the season series, as would be expected.  The Wolverines will be looking to make up for a disappointing first round exit last year against Ohio State, while the Eagles will look to make another impressive championship run to nationals.  Like superstition?  The team wearing dark has won both regular season matchups.

 

 

So as compelling as the Active Division will be, the Development Division is packed with even more parity and competition as just as many teams will be fighting for fewer national selections.  Will one school sweep both divisions again this year?  Will the affiliates spoil the B team party?  Again the answers start coming when the puck drops tomorrow at 7:00.