Weekend Preview: Penultimate Showdowns

With just two weekends left in the CCHA regular season, the MacNaughton Cup and home ice in the opening round of the Mason Cup Playoffs are up for grabs. This Friday, three key series open up, including No. 15 St. Thomas hosting No. 18 Augustana in a battle between the second and third-place teams in the standings. No. 17 Minnesota State heads to No. 20 Bowling Green and the Cappo Cup concludes when Lake Superior State visits Northern Michigan.

Notable Links:

Lake Superior State (9-19-2; 6-15-1 CCHA — 23 PTS) at Northern Michigan (3-26-1; 3-18-1 CCHA — 12 PTS)
Day/Time: Friday (7:07 PM ET) & Saturday (6:07 PM ET)
Video Stream: Midco Sports Plus
Radio: LSSU 99.5 FM | NMU 100.3 FM
Live Stats: Click Here
Game Notes: LSSU | NMU

The Lakers and Wildcats tangle at the Berry Events Center this weekend with the Cappo Cup on the line. Lake Superior State, which is coming off a three-point weekend against Michigan Tech, holds a 4-2 edge in agregate goals following matching 2-1 wins at home back in early January. Northern needs a big weekend to not only try and win back the rivalry trophy, but gain ground on Ferris State for the eighth and final Mason Cup Playoff position.

No. 18 Augustana (19-10-3; 13-8-3 CCHA — 45 PTS) at No. 15 St. Thomas (18-9-3; 15-5-2 CCHA — 47 PTS)
Day/Time: Friday (7:07 PM CT) & Saturday (7:07 PM CT)
Video Stream: Midco Sports Plus
Radio: UST AM 1500
Live Stats: Click Here
Game Notes: AU | UST

Separated by just two points in the CCHA standings, No. 18 Augustana heads to No. 15 St. Thomas this weekend for a two-game set. The Vikings, who lead the all-time series 3-1-1, are coming off a split with Bowling Green, while the Tommies were off last week. Earning more than a split will go a long way to locking up home ice and keeping a regular season title within reach.

No. 16 Minnesota State (16-9-5; 12-7-3 CCHA — 41 PTS) at No. 20 Bowling Green (16-8-6; 13-6-3 CCHA — 43 PTS)
Day/Time: Friday (7:07 PM ET) & Saturday (6:07 PM ET)
Video Stream: Midco Sports Plus
Radio: MSU AM 1420 | BGSU 88.1 FM
Live Stats: Click Here
Game Notes: MSU | BGSU

No. 20 Bowling Green hosts No. 16 Minnesota State in a crucial series at Slater Family Ice Arena this weekend. The Falcons hold a two-point lead in the standings entering play on Friday, holding the fourth and final home ice spot in the CCHA standings. The Mavericks own a 29-11-5 lead in the all-time series, with the two teams tying 4-4 and 1-1 in Mankato back in November.