Michigan hockey team to take on Miami in second CCHA semifinal Saturday at Joe Louis Arena
Michigan forward Luke Moffatt takes a shot against Miami earlier this season.
Daniel Brenner | AnnArbor.com file
With a two-game weekend sweep over Western Michigan, the Michigan hockey team advanced to the CCHA semifinals at Joe Louis Arena for the 24th consecutive year.
Two days later, it has an opponent and a faceoff time.
The Wolverines will take on Miami (4:35 p.m., Fox Sports Detroit) Saturday at Joe Louis Arena, in the second of two tournament semifinals. The winner will face the winner of Notre Dame and Ohio State at 2:05 p.m. Sunday in the championship game.
The Redhawks are the tournament's top seed, after going 17-7-4-4 in league play. They advanced to the semifinals by beating Michigan State, 4-1, in Game 3 of a quarterfinal series Sunday.
Michigan and Miami met on the opening weekend of CCHA play Oct. 26-27, with Michigan taking the first game 4-2 and Miami taking the second game 4-3 in Ann Arbor.
Michigan likely needs to win the tournament to keep its 22-year NCAA tournament streak alive.
Kyle Austin covers sports for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at kyleaustin@annarbor.com or 734-623-2535. Follow him on Twitter @KAustin_AA.
Comments
Rob MI
Mon, Mar 18, 2013 : 4:51 p.m.
There is no "likely needs to win" with regard to advancing to the NCAA tournament. The only way for Michigan to advance this year is with a CCHA Playoff title. The Playoff title gives them an automatic berth. Losing either the semi-final or championship game this weekend gives them a losing record and removes them from any consideration for an at-large NCAA berth.
Kyle Austin
Mon, Mar 18, 2013 : 7:17 p.m.
You're right, Rob, Michigan would be 18-19-3 if it loses in the title game and ineligible under a committee provision that started five years ago.
bostonblue
Mon, Mar 18, 2013 : 3:34 p.m.
I've missed the reporting on the hockey team by this newspaper this year and it seems lopsided with mostly basketball. But maybe the tide is finally turning and the blue liners are getting hot at the right time.
Blue Marker
Mon, Mar 18, 2013 : 3:07 p.m.
Good luck and Go Blue! I guarantee you Miami is not looking forward to their draw.