October 10, 2007 E-MAIL PRINT

CCHA Preview, 2007-08

CHN Staff Report

With chatter that the CCHA had tailed off from its heyday, the league recaptured the national championship last season when Michigan State ended the WCHA's run with a magical conclusion to the season.

For most, the Spartans were an afterthought entering the NCAA tournament, but quickly picked up steam. Even in the final, however, most thought BC would steamroll over Michigan State, but the Spartans overcame a 1-0 deficit in the third, and scored the game winner with 18 seconds left in regulation, adding to classic Frozen Four lore.

Naturally, thoughts turn to whether a team can repeat. But there's a long way to go until then. As evidenced by Michigan State just last year, what goes on in October and November may not reveal much of what will happen in March and April.

That said, it's reasonable to expect MSU to be in the mix, with most of its top-end talent back.

But Miami is the team many believe can go the farthest. Finally breaking its funk last season by winning an NCAA game, the RedHawks fell short of the Frozen Four. But they also have a ton of high-end talent returning.

Michigan and Notre Dame figure to be right in the mix, but every year, it seems, there is a surprise here. Who will it be?

Capsule previews are below, listed in predicted order of finish:

1. Miami

2. Michigan State

3. Notre Dame

4. Michigan

5. Northern Michigan

6. Ohio State

7. Lake Superior State

8. Western Michigan

9. Nebraska-Omaha

10. Ferris State