The NMU Wildcats (18-6-5) continue their second half run by playing the #1 team in the land, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish (29-5-3) in the CCHA Final Four.

The Cats continue their post-Christmas break with a record of 15-4-2. They dispatched a solid Miami club last weekend in three games with the first game filled with controversy (see previous game summary). Meanwhile, the mighty Irish have risen to a national power. As predicted in September of 2006 by this site, Jeff Jackson has turned a once mediocre program into the epitome of class and greatness. Schools like Michigan State and Ohio State and even Michigan do need to watch out as stated back then, because many players have opted to play for Coach Jackson instead, thus leading to their rise in power.

These squads are very familiar with each other. Thus far it has been pretty one-sided in favor of the Irish. Two early season games in Marquette went to the Irish (Oct.31, Nov.1). Both of those games were very tight, and decided by the powerplay. The Irish went 5 for 15, while the Cats went 0-11. Five on five, NMU controlled the play for the most part. But allowing a team to go 33.3% on the PP, while you go 0% says it all. Move forward to mid February with the rematch, and the story was the same, only worse. ND swept again, due to the powerplay, but this time it was 10 for 16, vs. NMU’s 1 for 10. Folks, that is an overall four game percentage of 48.3% for the Irish, and 4.7% for the Cats. You don’t need to be a hockey guru to see why the Irish won all four games. It’s that simple, period.

In the words of the late great Reg Dunlop (Paul Newman), “Man for man, we (Cats) can play with every f*&$)@’ (frickin’) club in the league” This statement applies to NMU. If this game was penalty free, NMU would win no problems in all likelihood. So the keys are quite simple- 1. NMU must play with great discipline; 2. The penalty kill must be aggressive and get out of that damn turtle shell approach; 3. The Cats powerplay must produce; 4. Brian Stewart must stand tall.

Overall, the Cats and Stewart are fully able to do all four items. The season is all on the line, so my hunch is that they will come to play big time. After being on the brink against Miami, they should have the extreme urgency to get it done.

NMU 4
ND 3