MCHA Hockey Expansion increases MSOE notoriety, rivalries.
| Published: 07/03/2012 |
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MCHA Hockey Expansion increases MSOE notoriety, rivalries.
On June 19, 2012 in De Pere, Wis. The Midwest Collegiate Hockey Association announced the addition of St. Norbert College and the College of St. Scholastica had both accepted invitations to become members of the league beginning in the 2013-14 campaign.
The movement of these two nationally touted programs from the NCHA to the MCHA will greatly enhance the popularity of the MCHA and will develop a great in-state rivalry that has been in the works for a few years now. Here are a few interesting hockey facts to look for as MSOE prepares for the addition of these two powers.
A natural rivalry is being built between the Raiders and the Green Knights
St. Norbert College, a perennial national champion, has consistently been the best in the nation, winning NCAA championships in2008, 2011, and 2012. MSOE has been nationally ranked each of the last eight years since moving into the Kern Center Ice Arena.
Fan popularity
One of the biggest games in the history of MSOE was the first meeting between St. Norbert College and MSOE on Saturday, Jan. 7, 2006. Over 250 Green Knight Alumnus came into the Kern Center Arena and met the fans in the “Red Sea.” They came away knowing the Raiders have a great fan base and great hockey atmosphere. The attendance was the highest in MSOE’s history with 1,100 fans in the building.
Quality of hockey in the conference is the nation’s best.
Both St. Norbert College and the College of St. Scholastica bring trips to the NCAA tournament to the table. Along with MSOE and Adrian, four teams have been in the NCAA Tournament. Mention MCHA powerhouses Marian University and Lawrence University in the conversation and now the conference has six teams that are in the picture of nationally ranked teams. With the addition of St. Norbert College and the College of St. Scholastica MCHA schools were ranked 1, 8, 11 and 19 in the nation, along with Marian and Lawrence receiving votes during the 2011-12 season.
Quality and Quantity combined
With 10 teams in the conference, the MCHA has one of the largest conferences in the nation and the strength of the conference schedule has just increased exponentially.
MCHA expands into a fourth state
With the width of the conference spanning over four states it raises student-athlete awareness of their surroundings and opportunity.
CH, CH, CHANGES…
The move changes both the Midwest and national landscape: The NCHA will no longer have men’s teams as WIAC schools have left to add hockey to their conference. The MIAC and the MCHA are the only conferences in the Midwest that will receive automatic qualifying bids to the NCAA Tournament. From a national perspective, it means that the WIAC schools will have to wait for at-large bids to get into 11-team NCAA Tournament.
Can’t stop at one
With six teams consistently in the hunt for a top twenty ranking, the possibility of two MCHA teams in the tournament looms.
Strong competitors help develop strong competition
Other teams in the conference such as Concordia-Wisconsin, Lake Forest College, Finlandia University and Northland College will be stepping up their programs to keep pace with the front runners. Barn burners night after night seem likely as fan excitement, enthusiasm and attendance are likely to grow along with the competitive spirit of the conference.
Playoffs, Showcase, highlight possible future changes
On the horizon are changes in the format of the MCHA tournament and also a mid season MCHA showcase. MSOE, with its big city location and beautiful Kern Center Arena appears in good position for its student body and fans to reap the benefits of this exciting expansion. The MCHA will now take its place among the premier D3 hockey conferences in the country.
