The dash to the 2023 MacNaughton Cup is not a horse race, it’s an obstacle course with hazards at every turn. We are closing in on the halfway point with six contenders jockeying for position—with a dangerous floater in St. Thomas and a sleeping giant up in the Soo. 

There has never been a six-team race in the nine prior years of this league. Six teams are in action this week, each trying to claw past the other.

No. 16 Minnesota State Vs. Bowling Green 

This is the ultimate crossroads match, as reigning champion MNSU finds itself entering hostile territory with an unprecedented four-game winless streak. Host Bowling Green, on the other hand, has won six of seven, catapulting themselves into the top spot of the CCHA standings. 

Minnesota State gouged Bowling Green for five out of six points up in Mankato in October, but due to the Mavericks current desperation, an explosive series is predicted at the Madhouse on Mercer.

Despite an ice sheet crowded with 40 players shuffling through bench doors each night, Mavericks winger Brendan Furry is one individual worth watching all weekend 

1. The pre-season CCHA player-of-the-year, Furry has been mired in a scoring slump all season. But due to linemate Sam Morton’s injury, the Mavs are desperate for Furry to regain his scoring touch ASAP. 
2. The Toledo native will have close to a hundred friends and family wedged into Slater Arena this weekend. They are all hoping for a sequel to his two-goal heroics the last time they saw him play at Slater Arena, when MNSU beat Bowling Green 10 months ago.
3. Bowling Green snubbed Furry on the recruiting trail years ago, choosing not to recruit the local hero despite him leading St. Francis club to the Ohio HS championship back in 2015. Furry loves to burn the team that spurned him, having notched two of his three goals this season against BGSU. When you tune into this battle of CCHA titans, be sure to keep track of number 13 in purple and gold.

Prediction: Although it’s unwise to bet against a streak, Minnesota State will pick up at least one win this weekend. A quick look at their Corsi rating shows an overwhelming advantage in shots-attempted for the Mavericks. All that possession time will wear down the Falcons. 

Lake Superior Vs. Bemidji State 

In a bizarre statistical anomaly last Saturday night, the Bemidji State Beavers entered their locker room hooting and hollering after beating St. Thomas in the shootout, collecting an extra point in the standings. But because they were technically tied on home ice by the Tommies, they actually lost ground in the all-important Pairwise rankings, weakening their chance at an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament. Currently in 23rd place, the Beavers need to climb at least eight spots to get their shot at the Big Dance. 

Their other option, of course, is to gain an automatic berth by winning the Mason Cup as CCHA playoff champions, and that path begins with scoring home-ice in the playoffs. 

Serratore’s Beavers are a single point ahead of Northern Michigan for the final home-ice berth. Serratore’s club has conceded four critical points in the standings this fall after being forced into the unpredictable world of 3-on-3 overtime, coughing up leads in the third period. Those lost points are the burr under Serratore’s saddle. 

“Points are so valuable, you can’t let your guard down,” said Serratore on Tuesday’s presser. 

“We’ve lost points in the last couple minutes of a game, three times, so that’s in the back of your mind.” 

Highlights from last night's win!#GoBeavers #BeaverTerritory pic.twitter.com/0EY3NgnwaU

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

They are facing a Lake Superior club that has foundered, currently an almost unimaginable 10 games under .500 in December. This is despite having 10 veterans who were part of their run to the 2021 NCAA tournament. 

Team broadcaster Bill Crawford dug up some salient statistics to amplify the LSSU coaching refrain about costly puck management. Quoting Lakers hockey ops manager Hunter Diehl, the team had averaged 39 turnovers per game heading into last week’s two losses on home ice to Bowling Green. 

Damon Whitten’s Lakers have had rough starts in the past and always managed to right the ship. If and when they do, it will probably be on the road, with no distractions and plenty of time for individuals to take inventory. But it won’t be this weekend. A major shakeup is required before healing takes place in the Soo.

Reasons To Watch: Beaver senior defenseman Elias Rosen, whose 200-foot ice dominance has him on course to reach all-decade status.

Prediction: Bemidji cures their third period hiccups, stifling the Lakers and collecting six points in the standings.

Northern Michigan Vs. Ferris State 

Grant Potulny’s Wildcats are the most entertaining offensive team in the CCHA. They have layers of scoring that can often be overlooked, until a game is on the line. Case in point was last Friday, when the Cats were trailing by a goal late in the third, in danger of falling to rival Michigan Tech for the ninth straight time in Marquette. 

A pair of freshmen, Joey Larson and the aptly-named Josh Zinger, combined on a stunning feed-and-fire gem to force overtime. The Cats have an embarrassment of riches in a sport where goals come at a premium.

Northern comes in to Big Rapids to take on a Ferris team that gives up by far the most shot attempts of any CCHA contender. But modern analytics be damned, Ferris has found a way to win with goaltending, blocked shots and minimizing second and third chances. Just ask Minnesota State. 

Reasons To Watch: Wildcat veterans Mikey Colella and Andre Ghantous had eye-popping performances in their last visit to Ewigleben Arena, and will look to repeat. For fans of stingy goaltending, Ferris has two of the league’s best in Noah Giesbrecht and Logan Stein. Expect them both to play this weekend.

Prediction: In this clash of yin and yang, anything other than a split would be an upset.