WCHA Hockey: Five Must-See Non-Conference Series

As we make our way through a very slow off-season, you can start to see the light at the end of the tunnel. The 2014-15 division I hockey season is slowly approaching, and there are roughly 52 days until the season begins.

Looking at the composite Western Collegiate Hockey Association schedule, I’ve selected five WCHA must-see non-conference series that I think will capture your attention. In my opinion, these are the non-conference series that will garner regional, if not national attention.

This is the fourth segment of the Five Must-See Series Non-Conference Series. NCHC Hockey: Five Must-See Non-Conference Series, ECAC Hockey: Five Must-See Non-Conference Series, Big Ten Hockey: Five Must-See Non-Conference Series.

Luke Witkowski
(Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports)

Series one: North Dakota vs. Bemidji State University
Date: October 10-11, 2014.
Game one location: Ralph Engelstad Arena, Grand Forks, North Dakota.
Game two location: Sanford Center, Bemidji, Minnesota.

The Highway Two series, both teams are a short 2-hour bus trip away. Former WCHA foes BSU and UND will square off in a two-game home-and-home non-conference series.

Last season, BSU lost and tied to UND (2-4 L, 1-1 T). One should expect a lot of UND fans to make the trip to the Sanford Center on Saturday night, due to the proximity of the schools.

All-time, Bemidji State is (2-26-2 .116) against North Dakota.

Series two: Miami University vs. Bowling Green State University
Date: October 10& 12, 2014.
Game one location: BGSU Ice Arena, Bowling Green, Ohio.
Game two location: Steve Cady Arena, Oxford, Ohio

Former CCHA rivals Miami University and Bowling Green State University play in a two-game home-and-home non-conference series. This will also be a match-up between two MAC schools who play in the same division I conference in every other sport but hockey.

All-time, the Falcons are (60-44-8, .571) against the RedHawks.

Series three: Minnesota State vs. Nebraska-Omaha
Date: October 10-11, 2014.
Location: CenturyLink Center in Omaha, Nebraska.

The battle of the Mavericks, Minnesota State and Nebraska Omaha renew their rivalry. The two teams haven’t played since the 2012-13 season when Minnesota State eliminated Nebraska-Omaha in three games (4-3 W, 1-2 L, 3-1 W) from the WCHA playoffs.

You could say that the Nebraska-Omaha Mavericks are going to be looking for some payback. During the 2012-13 season, the Minnesota State Mavericks held 3-2 record against the Nebraska-Omaha Mavericks.

All-time, the Mankato State Mavericks have a (13-9-4 .643) record against the Nebraska-Omaha Mavericks.

Series four: Ohio State University vs. Bowling Green State University
Date: November 14-15, 2014.
Game one location: BGSU Ice Arena, Bowling Green, Ohio.
Game two location: Value City Arena, Columbus, Ohio.

Former CCHA rivals the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Bowling Green State University Falcons play in a two-game home-and-home non-conference series  Last season, the two teams split their season series, (4-3 W and 3-5 L).

All-time, Bowling Green has (90-60-8, .596) record against the Buckeyes.

Series five:  Great Lakes Invitational
Teams: Ferris State vs. Michigan State and Michigan Tech vs. Michigan
Date: December 28-29, 2014.
Location: Joe Louis Arena, Detroit, Michigan.

Every year during the holiday season, the annual Great Lakes Invitational takes place at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit Michigan. The Michigan Tech Huskies are the host team with Michigan and Michigan State as yearly teams. This year, the Ferris State University Bulldogs are the fourth team.

The winners will advance to the championship game of the Great Lakes Invitational and will play on Sunday night.

This year, in the first semifinal game of the Great Lakes Invitational, the Big Ten’s Michigan State plays former CCHA foe Ferris State University. In the second semifinal game, Michigan plays host to Michigan Tech. The losers of the semifinal games will play in the third place game on Sunday afternoon.

All-time, Michigan Tech has won 10 Great Lakes Invitational titles. Ferris State has yet to play in the Great Lakes Invitational.