Bemidji State
SEED: 1
Odds: 3-2
The reasoning: They’re ranked eighth in the country, an incredible accomplishment considering College Hockey America’s perceived if misguided status as a kid sister to college hockey’s four power conferences. Even the non-conference schedule was packed with big wins — the Beavers pummeled Minnesota 6-2 at Mariucci Arena, beat No. 2 Miami and topped Nebraska-Omaha. Also, Bemidji beat Niagara the last three times the teams played and have the league’s best goalie in Dan Bakala, the latest in a string of outstanding BSU netminders.
WHAT COULD GO WRONG: The Beavers split their last four with Robert Morris, a team that isn’t afraid to play the role of spoiler. Also, the Beavers can’t overlook a pesky Niagara team that’s riding its whole season on tonight’s semifinal.
Robert Morris
SEED: 2
Odds: 8-1
The reasoning: The Colonials have proven they can play with the best of the best, upsetting then-No. 1 Miami in consecutive starts in one of the most peculiar stories of the college hockey season. Goalie Brooks Ostergard was outstanding that weekend, but hasn’t been the same throughout the season, posting a save percentage just over 90 percent.
WHAT COULD GO WRONG: Nathan Longpre, the team’s leading scorer and a first-team all-CHA pick, wasn’t great in conference play and struggled down the stretch, failing to notch a point in the team’s last three games. If he doesn’t snap out of his funk, the Colonials can stop worrying about the final — they’ll be knocked out tonight.
Alabama-Huntsville
SEED: 3
Odds: 12-1
The reasoning: You could make a case that Danton Cole’s bunch deserves more credit, considering the team’s last three starts included a win over Niagara and a tie against nationally ranker Bemidji State. But aside from a four-game winning streak in late January/early February, the Chargers only won consecutive games twice, and it came on the season’s second weekend. Also, there’s not a lot of offensive firepower — no player cracked double-digits in scoring over the 30 game season.
WHAT COULD GO RIGHT: The Chargers have kept it close the entire second semester, not allowing more than four goals in any game in 2010. Cameron Talbot was picked as a preseason first-teamer, but dropped to the second team after Bakala’s incredible season at Bemidji. If he gets hot, Talbot could carry the Chargers to an upset.
Niagara
SEED: 4
Odds: 6-1
The reasoning: Sure, we sound like homers with those odds, but let’s face it — nobody thought Niagara would enter the final CHA Tournament with the lowest seed. The Purple Eagles won four of five to close the regular season, their best stretch of the year. Chris Moran is playing well and Egor Mironov, who’s had a disappointing senior year, has six points in his last five games. Maybe both are really ready to take center stage.
WHAT COULD GO WRONG: This one’s simple — can Niagara find a goalie? Adam Avramenko had won two straight but got the hook after an overtime loss to UAH and he’s let in nearly as many soft goals as he has good ones. Chris Noonan has been capable, but hasn’t wrestled the starting job away. If goaltending is an issue, the Purple Eagles will be in trouble against a speedy and dangerous Bemidji squad.
— Tim Schmitt
