Week 5 Preview: DePaul faces Lewis, NMU hosts Roosevelt, and UWO has home and home with UWM
Weekly Preview:
Over half of the NCHL is in divisional action this weekend, with one Black Division and two Orange Division series. For the Black Division, DePaul University goes cross town to take on Lewis University. During their history this has been a pretty even matchup as DePaul owns a slight 5-3 edge and only a half a goal per game average separates the two teams. Things get even tighter, two wins apiece and 5-5 average score, when the series takes place at Canlan Sports in Romeoville, IL. DePaul is enjoying an unbeaten start to the season as well, which has put them at the top of the standings with Concordia University WI and Marquette University, while Lewis is hoping to get that first divisional victory of the season.
First place in the Orange Division, Northern Michigan University, is back at home for a series against second place Roosevelt University. At stake is first place as only a single point separates the two teams, so NMU could strengthen their hold or Roosevelt could leapfrog them. Each will also have to be aware of UW Oshkosh who sits two points back of NMU and is also in action this weekend. Due to COVID and other factors this will be the first matchup between NMU and Roosevelt since the fall of 2018. Roosevelt holds a commanding 7-3 lead in the head to head, however all three of the NMU’s victories have come on home ice.
The final divisional series of the weekend sees UWO face off against UW Milwaukee in UWM’s inaugural divisional series as a member of the NCHL. Sitting in third place, only two points behind NMU, UWO has the ability to move themselves up the standings with a good showing this weekend. UWO will be riding the momentum of a series sweep last weekend against Milwaukee School of Engineering, however, UWM was not so fortunate in their series against University of Iowa. As the reigning Bruno’s Goblet Champions, UWO has a target on their back, so UWM has the chance to show they are a divisional team to be reckoned with right from the start.
In non-conference action, Aurora University travels to Southern Illinois University – Edwardsville (10/20-21).
DePaul University goes cross town to Lewis University:
DePaul University goes on the road to take on Lewis University in what will be the second divisional series for both teams. Entering this contest DePaul sits in a three way tie, with Concordia University WI and Marquette University, for first place in the Black Division while Lewis is still looking for their first points of the season.
DePaul is enjoying quite the run to start the season, having gone undefeated in both conference and non-conference play. Last weekend they dispatched Drury University to run their overall win streak to eight games. Lewis was idle last weekend and looking to rebound from a disastrous defensive showing against Concordia University WI, where they gave up 24 goals in the two game set. DePaul is averaging almost six goals a game this year, so Lewis’ defense is going to have to find a way to shut it down.
This will be the fifth series between the two teams, with DePaul enjoying a 5-3 advantage. Last season DePaul swept the season series, winning by scores of 6-4 and 3-2 and upping their average score advantage to 4.88-4.38.
However, at Canlan Sports, in Romeoville, IL, each team has won two of the four contests and the average score is 5-5. Also, over those two preceding series, Lewis has won the first game and DePaul the second game.
It has been a year since Lewis has tasted victory in a divisional series and would like nothing more than to do so in front of their home fans. DePaul will be looking to extend their winning streak and move out of the tie for first place. Each team has the ability to make it happen, but it will take a full team effort.
Northern Michigan University hosts Roosevelt University:
After a weekend on the road, Northern Michigan University is back at home for their clash with Orange Division rival Roosevelt University. This will also be Roosevelt’s first trip back to Marquette, MI since 2016.
Last weekend, NMU’s successful sweep of St. Norbert College put NMU into first place in the Orange Division, pushing Roosevelt down to second place. However, only one point separates the two teams. While NMU was in action last weekend, Roosevelt had the weekend off. The last opponent of Roosevelt was also SNC, who they swept as well. So, both teams will be coming into this series with a bit of momentum.
This will be an interesting matchup as it will be the first time they hit the ice against each other since October 2018. While Roosevelt may not have any players on the roster that participated in that series the program will have good memories as they won each game by a score of 11-1.
Over the course of the five previous conference series between these two teams, Roosevelt holds a 7-3 edge along with a three goals per game (4.8-1.8) advantage. However, at home, NMU holds a 3-1 record against Roosevelt with a slim 3.25 goals per game average to 2.5 goals a game average against.
It is hard to believe but this will be the second to last divisional series for NMU. However, it will only be the second series for Roosevelt. Depending on the result we could have, NMU could strengthen their hold on first place or Roosevelt could reclaim the top spot. Either way the opportunities for points are dwindling so each team needs to take full advantage.
UW Oshkosh has home and home with UW Milwaukee:
NCHL newcomer, UW Milwaukee, has their first divisional series as a member this weekend. They will face off against UW Oshkosh in a home and home series, the first game of which will take place in Oshkosh, WI.
While this will be the first divisional action for UWM, they have played three series against Black Division members and compiled a 2-4 record over the six games, it will be the second divisional series for UWO.
Both teams were on the ice last weekend and experienced the opposite results. UWO swept Milwaukee School of Engineering and UW Milwaukee was swept by University of Iowa.
UWO currently sits in third place in the Orange Division, with three points. Therefore, they will need to earn as many points as possible to keep pace with the teams in front of them, who are also in action. UWM has the opportunity to make a splash in their welcome to the division series, along with making their presence felt in the standings should they reverse their fortunes from last weekend.
Non-Conference Games:
Aurora University at Southern Illinois University – Edwardsville (10/20-21)
Idle:
Concordia University WI
Marquette University
Marian University
St. Norbert College
