BLOG 31: It’s early, but CCHA standings are interesting

By Sandy Gholston

Ferris State University hockey player Michael Trebish (23) handles the puck during an early-season home game (Photo/Sandy Gholston)

BIG RAPIDS – You never count out Michigan or Michigan State, but at this early stage of the season, the Wolverines and Spartans have shown some vulnerability in what could be a wide-open Central Collegiate Hockey Association race.

Michigan is tied for fifth place with a 5-5-0-0 league record and 10 points while Michigan State is just 2-6-2-2 and in seventh with eight points. Both the Wolverines and the Spartans are among the teams that have only played in 10 league games, however.

Two of the clear preseason favorites Miami and Notre Dame are the leaders and that is not exactly a big surprise for anyone following the CCHA.

It’s still very, VERY early in the CCHA race and we can expect Michigan to turn it on and move up the ladder toward the top of the league. Michigan State has had some scoring issues at times, but if that can be corrected the Spartans certainly have the capability of moving up the ladder and in a hurry.

Alaska, Ferris State and Ohio State are probably the early surprises with their hot starts. The Bulldogs still have to return Ewigleben Ice Arena back into a tough home environment in which teams begin to again doubt their ability to win in.

It will be interesting to see if teams begin to pull away or if the pack remains as tightly compacted as it has been in recent seasons.

If you have any questions, ideas or comments feel free to contact Sandy Gholston at sgholston2@netzero.com