CCHA Standings Tighten as Teams Battle for Playoff Position

The Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA) is experiencing a competitive season as teams vie for playoff positioning. As of October 2023, the standings highlight a familiar trend of parity within the league, with several teams still in contention for the top spots.

Through a third of the season, four teams remain undefeated in regulation over six or more CCHA games. **Bemidji State** (7-5-2, 5-1-2 CCHA) and **Bowling Green** (4-3-3, 4-1-3 CCHA) currently lead the standings, each accumulating **17 points** from their eight games played. **Michigan Tech** (8-3-1, 5-0-1 CCHA) follows closely with **15 points** from six games after recently splitting a three-point series against the Beavers. **Minnesota State** (6-2-4, 3-1-2 CCHA) is tied for fourth place with **Augustana**, both teams holding **12 points**; however, Minnesota State has played one fewer game.

As the season progresses, the top five teams have shown resilience. They have each managed to secure at least one point in every league contest thus far, suggesting a dynamic battle for supremacy. In contrast, the lower tier of the standings presents challenges for teams like **Ferris State** (2-10-0, 1-5-0 CCHA), **Lake Superior State** (3-8-1, 0-6-0 CCHA), and **Northern Michigan** (0-12-0, 0-4-0 CCHA). Northern Michigan has yet to secure a victory this season, while Lake Superior has suffered consecutive overtime losses.

Urgency is palpable in the league, especially for the teams at the bottom. With **20 games** remaining in the season, teams must quickly adapt to improve their standings. **St. Thomas**, having played only three league games and sitting in sixth place with a record of **4-5-2** (1-1-1 CCHA), faces a critical juncture. Initially predicted to finish atop the league by coaches, the Tommies now confront an uphill battle to reclaim their expected position.

In individual performances, **Adam Flammang** of Bemidji State extended his point streak to eight games, contributing a goal and an assist in a **2-2** tie against Michigan Tech before it was snapped in a **2-1** overtime loss the following day. Flammang leads his team with **16 points** in 12 games, just three shy of his personal best from the previous season. The Beavers dominated the faceoff battle in their recent series, winning **67 to 57**, with Oliver Peer excelling at **27 wins** out of **40 faceoff attempts**.

The CCHA weekend scores illustrated the competitiveness of the league:
– **St. Cloud State** 1, **St. Thomas** 3
– **Minnesota State** 2, **Lake Superior State** 1 (F/OT)
– **Ferris State** 5, **Bowling Green** 9
– **St. Thomas** 4, **Augustana** 4 (Augustana wins SO)
– **Ferris State** 2, **Bowling Green** 5
– **Minnesota State** 4, **Lake Superior State** 2

Several players stood out in recent performances. **Noah Morneau**, a freshman from Bowling Green, scored four goals and provided two assists in a weekend sweep, earning the title of CCHA Forward of the Week. **Dominik Rymon**, also a freshman from Bowling Green, was named CCHA Rookie of the Week after tallying two goals and three assists. Additionally, **Josh Zary** of Ferris State scored twice against Bowling Green, contributing to his total of seven goals this season, tying him for the league lead.

As the season continues, the unpredictability of the CCHA promises an exciting race for the top positions. With the potential for significant shifts in the standings, teams must remain vigilant and adaptable. The league will see further adjustments as teams strive to secure their place in the playoffs.

In summary, the CCHA is shaping up to be a compelling season filled with competitive matchups and standout individual performances, as teams navigate the complexities of league play.