Faceoff Factor

NCAA Weekend Recap: The Plague of Ferris State Edition

Andrew Chiappazzi | College/NCAA

Mar 3, 08:00 PM | Hype this story!

Ferris State. Or, in the words of Wolverine and Redhawk fans, “FERRIS #&*#! STATE!”

The Bulldogs are one of “those” teams, the type that can muck along in the middle of the pack in a strong conference, sit close to .500 and then leap out and surprise the bejeezus out of an unsuspecting Top 5 team. One would think that after a few years of nasty surprises and wicked whiplashes after being run over by the runaway truck with Michigan license plates, teams would learn not to overlook the Bulldogs.

Not quite. Notre Dame fell earlier this year. Miami was swept as they tumbled out of their cushioned top spot in the rankings. Now Michigan, a team that no one sneaks up on, had to hold on for dear life Friday night before being blitzed in overtime Saturday night. These were road games, too, and Michigan should know to have all hands on deck for CCHA road games.

Guess not, and the 12,000 student public school in Big Rapids, Michigan continues to make a name for itself by taking down the big, um, dogs.

Now…

THE LIST:
Skater of the Weekend: Luke Flicek, F, Sr. Army.
Flicek slipped past Owen Meyer for the team lead in points with a five point weekend, including three assists Friday night. The weekend led Army past Sacred Heart both nights, giving them separation from the Pioneers as they hold on to the top spot in the Atlantic Hockey standings. RIT and Air Force kept pace, but at least Flicek and Army know they can take care of business as they prepare for the AH tournament.

Goalie of the Weekend: Jean-Philippe Lamoureux, Sr., North Dakota.
You might be able to find a sexier performance from another goalie or two for the weekend, but Lamoureux’s meant more. The Fighting Sioux saw one of their local stars and senior leaders hold on to 50 of 51 shots this weekend as the Sioux swept Minnesota-Duluth. The win places UND at the top of several polls and within just two points of Colorado College for that elusive #1 seed in the WCHA.

Egg Layer of the Weekend: Robert Morris.
Colonials had the chance to make a move – again – in the CHA and instead barely showed up on the ice against Niagara. Robert Morris never saw what was coming as they lost 6-3 and 7-1, and they managed that with more offensive opportunities and more scoring chances than Niagara. They had been tied with the Purple Eagles in the standings but now sit four points back of Niagara and nine points back of Bemidji State. They are firmly locked in third place and will meet up again with Niagara next weekend in the first round of the CHA tournament.

Two quick reminders – the power rankings will be up tomorrow night as usual, and the usual weekend previews are over for the year, so if you were looking for that this weekend, sorry. They won’t be up this weekend either because of the nature of the schedules late in the year.

However, have no fear! Several tournaments are kicking off this weekend, so Wednesday night be on the lookout for conference tournament previews.