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This weekend marks the third to last weekend of conference series for the NCHL regular season and it is a busy weekend again with six conference teams battling it out in three conference series and two conference teams in non-conference action.

 

The headliner of the weekend is the matchup of #2 Marian University and Marquette University in Fond du Lac, WI. Marian sits in first place, with a perfect 12-0 record, and needs only four more wins to match #12 Aurora’s perfect conference record last season. Marquette sits two points behind Marian in second place and would like nothing more than to end Marian’s unbeaten steak in conference play, while also giving them a shot at the number one overall seed. Both teams come into this series with momentum, so it should be quite the battle.

 

With DePaul University and Lewis University in action this weekend their results could also set the field for the conference tournament as University of Wisconsin Oshkosh, DePaul University, Lewis University are all still vying for the final two spots. There are a number of possible scenarios for each team but winning solves most everything. For Oshkosh, who is idle, they will know where they stand going into next weekend when they take on #12 Aurora University.

 

DePaul travels across town to continue their trek back to the conference tournament in a clash with Robert Morris University – Maroon. RMU has already secured a spot in the conference tournament but their seeding is still up for grabs. So, the more points they earn the better their chances of either a three or four seed. DePaul has control of their destiny but cannot afford too many hiccups and if Lewis is able to sweep Concordia then DePaul’s and Lewis’ final conference series will determine who gets the final spot.

 

The third conference series has Lewis University playing for their conference tournament hopes against Concordia University WI at Canlan Ice Arena in Romeoville, IL. Despite Concordia’s sweep of Northern Michigan University last weekend, they were eliminated from the post season after DePaul swept UWO. But they still have the role of spoiler to play as Lewis is still mathematically alive to make the top six.

 

Should DePaul earn a series split at best against RMU then Lewis needs to sweep Concordia, if DePaul is swept then Lewis needs no less than three points this weekend and both of those scenarios require a sweep of DePaul in their final conference series. However, should DePaul earn at least three points against RMU and UWO gets swept by Aurora next weekend then Lewis would need to win all four remaining games as UWO holds the tiebreaker with Lewis should they end up tied with 13 points.

 

In non-conference action are #12 Aurora University, who hosts #3 Lindenwood University, and Northern Michigan University, traveling to #16 St. Cloud State University.

 

The ACHA’s 8th ranking for the Central Region has Marian University moving up one spot to #2, while Aurora holds steady at #12.

 

#2 Marian University hosts Marquette in a clash between the 1st and 2nd place teams in the conference standings. Marquette sits two points behind Marian, but this is their last conference series of the season while Marian still has one remaining. So, Marian still has the inside edge to the number one overall seed and Marquette has to worry about a hard charging #12 Aurora University for the second spot should they not gain at least a series split.

 

Last weekend both teams were in action against non-conference opponents. Marian swept Michigan Tech University and Marquette swept former NCHL member St. Mary’s University of MN in Winona, MN. With two series left, and up to this point a blemishless record, Marian is looking to follow Aurora’s lead from last year and finish off a perfect conference season. Marquette swept Aurora earlier this season, so they are not a team to look past and they as well want one of the coveted first round bye, which a series split will earn them. Also, Marquette comes into this series on a five game conference win streak. During their series last season Marian came away with two victories, winning 10-4 and 7-3. A reversal of those fortunes this year will give Marquette an outside shot at the top seed, but if Marian repeats those results Marquette may be looking at dropping to the 3rd seed.

 

Robert Morris University – Maroon welcomes DePaul University to The Edge. Last weekend RMU secured a berth in the conference tournament for the fifth straight season. DePaul is once again in a precarious position, sitting in the sixth and final spot with two conference series remaining. Last season DePaul got into the tournament via a tie breaker with Marquette. So, they will be looking to provide themselves a bit more breathing room with this series, especially with their final series against Lewis University, the only team that still can mathematically pass them should they win out.

 

DePaul comes into this series on a high note, having swept the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh last weekend and are 4-2 over their last six conference games. RMU on the other hand, is back in action after being swept by #3 Lindenwood University, so they will be striving to get back in the win column. This is the last conference series of the season for RMU, so it is their last chance to bolster their point total and secure the best seed possible. Last season RMU and DePaul split their season series, with RMU winning one game by a score of 6-2 and DePaul winning the other 7-5.  

 

Concordia University WI goes on the road to face Lewis University for the first time in conference action and for their final conference series of the season. This series is a bit bittersweet for Concordia since they were mathematically eliminated from the postseason last weekend, despite sweeping Northern Michigan University. However, they do have the ability to play spoiler as Lewis must secure at least three out of the four available points this weekend to keep their chances of making the conference tournament field alive.

 

Neither team has had the best record over their last six conference games; Concordia is 2-4, including their sweep of NMU last weekend, and Lewis is 1-5, including last weekend’s sweep at the hands of #12 Aurora University. To get past Concordia, Lewis will need a better offensive output, as they were only able to put one goal on the board over the two game series with Aurora. A sweep by Concordia will guarantee them the seventh spot in the conference standings, ending Lewis’ bid to get back to the conference tournament, and a Lewis sweep will keep alive their playoff hopes.

 

#12 Aurora University v. #3 Lindenwood University

Northern Michigan University @ #16 St. Cloud State University

 

University of Wisconsin Oshkosh