FB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[SagatagSam]

Some MIAC Semifinal hockey going on tonight at 7 p.m.

The Johnnies are in the semifinals for the third consecutive year and are looking to make the Championship Game for the first time since 2019's four overtime marathon (yes, four) in Minneapolis against Augsburg. St. Olaf is playing for their first Championship Game appearance since 2012.

Augsburg is coming off a too-close-for-comfort overtime win against Gustavus (who was winless in MIAC regular season play), and Bethel conquered a St. Scholastica squad that swept the Royals in the regular season. The Auggies swept the regular season against the Royals. Can the Royals make lightning strike twice in the same postseason and advance to their first MIAC Championship Game since 2007? Or will the Auggies prevail and play for their fifth MIAC Playoff Championship in the past six years?

[OldAuggie]

Some MIAC Semifinal hockey going on tonight at 7 p.m.

The Johnnies are in the semifinals for the third consecutive year and are looking to make the Championship Game for the first time since 2019's four overtime marathon (yes, four) in Minneapolis against Augsburg. St. Olaf is playing for their first Championship Game appearance since 2012.

Augsburg is coming off a too-close-for-comfort overtime win against Gustavus (who was winless in MIAC regular season play), and Bethel conquered a St. Scholastica squad that swept the Royals in the regular season. The Auggies swept the regular season against the Royals. Can the Royals make lightning strike twice in the same postseason and advance to their first MIAC Championship Game since 2007? Or will the Auggies prevail and play for their fifth MIAC Playoff Championship in the past six years?

Should be an exciting game. My hockey friends remind me how hockey games are difficult to predict. I think the unpredictable "puck luck" has something to do with it. The SJU loss with .1 second on the clock was clearly a case of Augsburg letting up at the end and SJU wanting the win more than Augsburg. The Auggies are loaded with good coaches and talent on the ice this year so I think it goes the Auggies way tonight and they advance to the MIAC Championship game against SJU. That would be an incredible atmosphere in The Ed.

[SagatagSam]

The puck didn't bounce the Johnnies' way, and they got beat 3-1 on their home ice by an Oles squad that jumped out to an early lead and answered the bell every time the Johnnies mounted a challenge.

Lights out game from Augsburg against Bethel, scoring two goals in the first period, three in the second, and two in the third for a 7-0 win.

[57Johnnie]

The puck didn't bounce the Johnnies' way, and they got beat 3-1 on their home ice by an Oles squad that jumped out to an early lead and answered the bell every time the Johnnies mounted a challenge.

Lights out game from Augsburg against Bethel, scoring two goals in the first period, three in the second, and two in the third for a 7-0 win.

For me the Johnnies lost the game in the first 10 minutes. They were all over the Ole net and were about 10-2 shots on goal when the Oles scored on a semi breakaway to lead 1-0. I turned the video off and went to bed. 

[MUC57]

57

I feel that I know you and can speak openly. What's "hockey"?

Sincerely yours,
          Midwest57 ( The other 57)     

[SagatagSam]

Augsburg can win their fifth MIAC Playoff Championship in the last six years. St. Olaf is in search of their second Playoff Championship, winning their only other title in 2006.

[SagatagSam]

57

I feel that I know you and can speak openly. What's "hockey"?

Sincerely yours,
          Midwest57 ( The other 57)     

This could be helpful:

from Alliance, Ohio 44601
to PPG Paints Arena, 1001 Fifth Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15219

1 hr 38 min (85.2 miles)
via I-76

This route has tolls.
Depart: Alliance, Ohio 44601

Get on I-76 in Beaver Township from US-62 E and OH-165 E
42 min (28.7 mi)

Continue on I-76. Take I-279 S to Bigelow Blvd in Pittsburgh. Take the 7th Ave exit from I-579 S/Veterans Bridge
52 min (55.9 mi)

Take Sixth Ave and Forbes Ave to Washington Pl
4 min (0.6 mi)

Arrive: PPG Paints Arena, 1001 Fifth Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15219

[57Johnnie]

57

I feel that I know you and can speak openly. What's "hockey"?

Sincerely yours,
          Midwest57 ( The other 57)     

MW57
Since I know you are a polo fan, hockey is polo on ice without the ponies. 
Mtn57

[OldAuggie]

I was looking forward to a possible Augsburg vs SJU game for the MIAC Championship but yes, the puck did not bounce the right way for the Johnnies.  Should be a festive atmosphere with the Oles visiting The Ed and I am planning to go.  The student section is very entertaining so hopefully, the Auggies grab their 5th MIAC Championship in 6 years and advance to a high seed in the NCAA playoffs. Thanks, SagatagSam for the update! I am aware of the run but could not recall the number of years.

[OzJohnnie]

57

I feel that I know you and can speak openly. What's "hockey"?

Sincerely yours,
          Midwest57 ( The other 57)     

[BDB]

I don't see the Halloween Machine on the State Tournament radar Oz. Must be a down year in GR.
Hermantown on the other hand...

[OzJohnnie]

I don't see the Halloween Machine on the State Tournament radar Oz. Must be a down year in GR.
Hermantown on the other hand...

They had a good squad this year.  Not championship material but quarter final quality.  They lost to Andover in the section championship game and that was all she wrote.

[OldAuggie]

The Oles outplayed the Auggies tonight. Congrats to St Olaf!

[SagatagSam]

The Oles outplayed the Auggies tonight. Congrats to St Olaf!

Dang! If you would've told me the final was going to be 5-2, I would have believed you but assumed Auggie won.

I haven't followed things super close, but I'm assuming since Augsburg is #4 in the pairwise, they'll get an at-large bid.

[OldAuggie]

The Oles outplayed the Auggies tonight. Congrats to St Olaf!

Dang! If you would've told me the final was going to be 5-2, I would have believed you but assumed Auggie won.

I haven't followed things super close, but I'm assuming since Augsburg is #4 in the pairwise, they'll get an at-large bid.

You are correct, Augsburg will play the winner of St. Norbert-St. Olaf in the quarterfinals at Augsburg. I can't recall a year that 2 MIAC hockey teams made the NCAA playoffs so that is good overall for the status of the MIAC and it should give St Olaf a good boost to build their program.