Around the Country - 11/19

Each week, the WCHA Blog will take a look at action from around the nation that doesn't involve WCHA teams.

In the key series of the weekend, the Miami Redhawks posted a very impressive sweep at Munn Ice Arena versus the defending NCAA champion Michigan State Spartans. The ‘Hawks outshot MSU by a good margin on both nights in winning 4-2 on Friday and 3-1 on Saturday. Both games witnessed Miami tack on an empty-net goal late in both games. Junior Justin Mercier had two goals in Friday’s win, and also scored in Saturday’s victory. Miami and Michigan have emerged as the top two teams in the CCHA, but will not meet on the ice until February 8-9.

Speaking of the Maize and Blue, Michigan extended their winning streak to ten games with a sweep at Lake Superior State. Junior Billy Sauer continued his great play, posting another pair of wins, while senior Kevin Porter is leading the way for the youthful Wolverines – he had a six-point weekend versus the Lakers. Michigan heads home to host Wisconsin and Minnesota in the College Hockey Showcase this upcoming weekend.

Clarkson has emerged as the top ECAC team early in the season, holding a 6-1-0 conference record after defeating Yale and Brown this past weekend. Junior Chris D'Alvise has 12 points in 12 games. After the Golden Knights, it looks like Harvard and Cornell may be the next best teams. Both clubs split over the weekend, but Harvard topped Cornell on Friday night.

Notes: Boston College went winless on the weekend, tying Massachusetts on Friday and losing to the Minutemen on Saturday … The New Hampshire Wildcats gained a split, losing to Northeastern in Durham by a 4-1 score on Friday night, but bounced back to top Providence 5-4 in overtime on Saturday … Notre Dame continued their solid play, sweeping Western Michigan in a home-and-home series; the Irish have now won five of their last six games …