@ Lake Superior State (2/25-2/26)

[mbenecke]

Well, we've reached the end of the regular season. For the final series, our Falcons (14-15-3) will head to Sault Ste. Marie, MI to take on the Lake Superior State Lakers (15-16-1) in a couple of games that could determine who ends up having home ice in the first round of the CCHA playoffs, which begin next weekend. It also very well may be a playoff preview, depending on the outcome of these games and what happens in both Marquette, MI and Bemidji, MN this weekend. Friday night's game begins at 7:07pm, while Saturday evening's contest will be played at 6:07pm. Both games will be available to stream through https://www.flohockey.tv/.

Back in November, our Falcons swept the Lakers 5-1 and 6-2 in our building, so while we have reason to feel some confidence, I'm sure LSSU will provide some real resistance, in their building, on senior weekend.

I don't think anyone would argue that this is a down year. However, this team still has a huge opportunity in front of them, and they control their own destiny for it. I sure hope they play with some pride and discipline this weekend.

Go Falcons! Beat LSSU!

[TalonsUpPuckDown]

The Lakers had some guys out when they played down here. They have a full roster now.

[jpfalcon09]

Right now BG loses the tiebreaker as LSSU has one more regulation win. One regulation loss this weekend and home ice is gone, so there's no margin for error. The prospect of finishing 6th in the league is very possible as well with NMU taking on Ferris. A split seems likely and another trip to the Sault next weekend to open up the playoffs would be on tap.

At this point a more disciplined weekend coupled with a sustained effort both nights would be a step in the right direction.

[mbenecke]

Right now BG loses the tiebreaker as LSSU has one more regulation win. One regulation loss this weekend and home ice is gone, so there's no margin for error. The prospect of finishing 6th in the league is very well as well with NMU facing Ferris. I don't expect a sweep and the boys better book a long hotel stay as I believe they end up having to travel back to the Sault next weekend for the opening round of the playoffs.

At this point a more disciplined weekend coupled with a sustained effort both nights would be a step in the right direction.

In a scenario where Bemdiji (who has somehow lost 8 of their last 9) takes care of business against St. Thomas, they will finish third. If NMU sweeps Ferris and we split with LSSU, we finish 6th and travel to Bemidji. That almost feels like what I think is most likely to happen, at this point.

[jpfalcon09]

Right now BG loses the tiebreaker as LSSU has one more regulation win. One regulation loss this weekend and home ice is gone, so there's no margin for error. The prospect of finishing 6th in the league is very well as well with NMU facing Ferris. I don't expect a sweep and the boys better book a long hotel stay as I believe they end up having to travel back to the Sault next weekend for the opening round of the playoffs.

At this point a more disciplined weekend coupled with a sustained effort both nights would be a step in the right direction.

In a scenario where Bemdiji (who has somehow lost 8 of their last 9) takes care of business against St. Thomas, they will finish third. If NMU sweeps Ferris and we split with LSSU, we finish 6th and travel to Bemidji. That almost feels like what I think is most likely to happen, at this point.

Agreed. Despite Bemidji's recent struggles, a trip there has always been very difficult for BG. Honestly it's hard to have any confidence at the moment of a positive outcome both this weekend and in the first round of the league playoffs.

[pdt1081]

Right now BG loses the tiebreaker as LSSU has one more regulation win. One regulation loss this weekend and home ice is gone, so there's no margin for error. The prospect of finishing 6th in the league is very possible as well with NMU taking on Ferris. A split seems likely and another trip to the Sault next weekend to open up the playoffs would be on tap.

At this point a more disciplined weekend coupled with a sustained effort both nights would be a step in the right direction.

I read #1 below as "the greatest number of regulation wins vs other tied teams." Otherwise, #2 is redundant and useless (but it is the CCHA). Only way for BG and LSSU to remain tied after this weekend is equal points this weekend, which would give LSSU at most 1 regulation win, and BG at least 2. If, somehow there's a 3 way tie with BG, NMU, and LSSU, BG loses out on that tie breaker. NMU currently sits at 3 (all vs BG), LSSU sits at 3 (all vs NMU), and BG sits at 2 ( both vs LSSU).

1. When 2 or more teams are tied in the standings and they have played an equal number of home and away games between all tied teams, the seeding for the CCHA Tournament shall be determined by the team with the greatest number of regulation wins between all tied teams. If 2 or more teams did not play a balanced schedule this criteria will not be used and the following criteria will be used:

2. If not determined by (1), the seeding for the CCHA Tournament shall be determined by the team with the greatest number of regulation wins.

3. If not determined by (1), or (2), the seeding for the CCHA Tournament shall be determined by the team with the best winning percentage in all league games.

[TalonsUpPuckDown]

Right now BG loses the tiebreaker as LSSU has one more regulation win. One regulation loss this weekend and home ice is gone, so there's no margin for error. The prospect of finishing 6th in the league is very possible as well with NMU taking on Ferris. A split seems likely and another trip to the Sault next weekend to open up the playoffs would be on tap.

At this point a more disciplined weekend coupled with a sustained effort both nights would be a step in the right direction.

I read #1 below as "the greatest number of regulation wins vs other tied teams." Otherwise, #2 is redundant and useless (but it is the CCHA). Only way for BG and LSSU to remain tied after this weekend is equal points this weekend, which would give LSSU at most 1 regulation win, and BG at least 2. If, somehow there's a 3 way tie with BG, NMU, and LSSU, BG loses out on that tie breaker. NMU currently sits at 3 (all vs BG), LSSU sits at 3 (all vs NMU), and BG sits at 2 ( both vs LSSU).

1. When 2 or more teams are tied in the standings and they have played an equal number of home and away games between all tied teams, the seeding for the CCHA Tournament shall be determined by the team with the greatest number of regulation wins between all tied teams. If 2 or more teams did not play a balanced schedule this criteria will not be used and the following criteria will be used:

2. If not determined by (1), the seeding for the CCHA Tournament shall be determined by the team with the greatest number of regulation wins.

3. If not determined by (1), or (2), the seeding for the CCHA Tournament shall be determined by the team with the best winning percentage in all league games.

As for #1, we played 2 fewer home games than LSSU or NMU which is why #2 comes into play. Same result, though.

Bottom line: sweep in the Soo or bust.

[pdt1081]

1. When 2 or more teams are tied in the standings and they have played an equal number of home and away games between all tied teams, the seeding for the CCHA Tournament shall be determined by the team with the greatest number of regulation wins between all tied teams. If 2 or more teams did not play a balanced schedule this criteria will not be used and the following criteria will be used:

2. If not determined by (1), the seeding for the CCHA Tournament shall be determined by the team with the greatest number of regulation wins.

3. If not determined by (1), or (2), the seeding for the CCHA Tournament shall be determined by the team with the best winning percentage in all league games.

As for #1, we played 2 fewer home games than LSSU or NMU which is why #2 comes into play. Same result, though.

Bottom line: sweep in the Soo or bust.

4 home, 4 away amongst the tied teams (versus each other). If that's not what that tie-breaker is saying, then it's useless to even include it. The only text missing from #1 to #2 is "between all tied teams." Otherwise, they're saying the exact same thing. Almost verbatim.

A tie between BG and Tech would not allow #1 to be used. BG, NMU, and LSSU played each other 4 times each, 2 away and 2 home.

[mbenecke]

I really don't like the way the tiebreakers are written, in general. I also don't understand how head-to-head isn't the first tiebreaker, in a scenario where teams played 2 home and 2 away with each other.

Seems like we should just go to 28 league contests and make that the main tiebreaker. Points percentage in head to head matchups would be an easy one.

[TalonsUpPuckDown]

1. When 2 or more teams are tied in the standings and they have played an equal number of home and away games between all tied teams, the seeding for the CCHA Tournament shall be determined by the team with the greatest number of regulation wins between all tied teams. If 2 or more teams did not play a balanced schedule this criteria will not be used and the following criteria will be used:

2. If not determined by (1), the seeding for the CCHA Tournament shall be determined by the team with the greatest number of regulation wins.

3. If not determined by (1), or (2), the seeding for the CCHA Tournament shall be determined by the team with the best winning percentage in all league games.

As for #1, we played 2 fewer home games than LSSU or NMU which is why #2 comes into play. Same result, though.

Bottom line: sweep in the Soo or bust.

4 home, 4 away amongst the tied teams (versus each other). If that's not what that tie-breaker is saying, then it's useless to even include it. The only text missing from #1 to #2 is "between all tied teams." Otherwise, they're saying the exact same thing. Almost verbatim.

A tie between BG and Tech would not allow #1 to be used. BG, NMU, and LSSU played each other 4 times each, 2 away and 2 home.

Unless I added wrong, we had 12 home league games and LSSU/NMU each had 14 home league games. Rule #1 comes into play between LSSU and NMU.

Again, unless I misread the schedules for each team and added wrong...

Edit: Or misunderstood what the rule is getting at. I could see that happening.

[pdt1081]

Unless I added wrong, we had 12 home league games and LSSU/NMU each had 14 home league games. Rule #1 comes into play between LSSU and NMU.

Again, unless I misread the schedules for each team and added wrong...

Edit: Or misunderstood what the rule is getting at. I could see that happening.

It's confusing the way it is written, without a doubt. I know what makes sense to me, but I'm just a dumb construction worker so obviously someone a lot "smarter" than me wrote it.

[jpfalcon09]

The fact head to head isn't the first tiebreaker is really dumb.

[mbenecke]

GOAL! Some nice passing on the PP and Norris puts BG up 1-0, about halfway through the first period.

[mbenecke]

And LSSU gets one right back with about 5 to play in the first period. 1-1.

[mbenecke]

We’ve been complaining about the refs for a while now… but this one might’ve been the worst I’ve ever seen. Why did they have to review that? Why did it take so long to declare no penalty for a chest to chest hit?

Yikes, man. The league has to address this in the off-season.