Miami (Ohio) has separated themselves from the rest of the CCHA, but this weekend against Michigan could bring them back within striking distance, while Michigan State tries to find their touch against Nebraska-Omaha. The RedHawks have a five point lead over Michigan and Ferris State so far in CCHA play. Miami (OH) takes on Michigan at home this weekend in a series that could make or break both teams hopes at a CCHA regular season title.

“When you look at the first half, this could be an eight point rather than just a four point series,” said Michigan coach Red Berenson. “It either gets us in the hunt for first place, or it knocks us out of the hunt for first place for the time being.”

Miami (OH) is coming off of two big wins against a Michigan State team that is starved of offense. For the weekend, the RedHawks outscored the Spartans by a score of 8-2. In both games, Miami (OH) found a way to get behind goaltender Jeff Lerg, who is considered to be one of the top goaltenders in college hockey.

Michigan went into the weekend thinking four points against Western Michigan, but only came out with two. In a game one upset, the Broncos were led by stellar goaltending from Riley Gill. Gill stopped 33 of 34 Wolverine shots en route to a 2-1 victory. During game two, Louie Caporusso had a natural hat trick in the third period to lead Michigan to a 5-0 win.

Special teams might be the difference between Miami (OH) and Michigan. The Wolverine penalty kill is underachieving at only 81 percent.

“The best thing to do would be not take any penalties, our penalty killing has been all over the map, so were not feeling real good about it right now,” said Berenson.

Miami (OH) has possibly one of the best power play and penalty kill units in the nation. Their power play is successful nearly 23 percent of the time, while they kill off 96 percent of their penalties.

“Well obviously their special teams appear to be the best in the country, so if it is a game of special teams, they will have a big advantage,” said Berenson.

This past weekend for Michigan State was no different as the offense continued to come up well short. They are winless in their last four attempts, and have a tough task waiting for them in Nebraska.

The Spartan offense has only put up three goals in their last four games. The key to igniting the flame could be power play opportunities. The Spartans have converted on only eight percent of their power plays (5 for 60). Their goaltending has been solid, their defense has been just as good, but their offense needs to find that chemistry if Michigan State is going to make a difference in the CCHA.

Nebraska-Omaha has been quietly putting together a great start to the season. Overall they are 7-2-1, while playing to a 3-2-1-1 record in the CCHA. The Mavericks have had contributions from all over the ice. Their leading scorer is Eddie Del Grosso, a junior defenseman who has twelve points in ten games. Slovakian senior Tomas Klempa has six goals in ten games, while senior Dan Charleston has continued his point production from last year, posting eleven points in ten games.

As good as the production up front has been, the goaltending has been that much better. Jerad Kaufmann is a perfect 5-0-0 and stopping almost 93 percent of the shots he faces. Junior goaltender Jeremie Dupont has a nearly identical save percentage and goals against average as Kaufmann.

With the Spartans struggling and the Mavericks surging, the CCHA powers could be in line for a change. Both teams have eight points in the CCHA, but UNO is in a prime position to jump Michigan State and put themselves in the top tier of the standings.

The weekend may only have one marquee match-up, but there are many games that will affect the CCHA drastically. Here is how these two series will play out.

Michigan has been tripped up lately by Western Michigan and Alaska, while Miami (OH) is coming off of a pair of road wins in East Lansing. Miami (OH) takes both games this weekend against Michigan to pull away as the CCHA leader.

UNO has all the tools to stop Michigan State’s struggling attack. They have good goaltending that will prevail in this series. Behind Kaufmann and Dupont, the Mavericks are also in line to sweep.