"It's about taking steps," coach Mike Hastings said. "Last weekend [a first-round win over Alabama Huntsville] was another step. Our regular season was about trying to be in this spot. Now it's up to us to take advantage of it."
Besides the usual suspects who were named to the various All-WCHA teams on Thursday, a player who could be a big factor as the postseason wears on is sophomore center Jared Spooner, a strong, hard, fast player who has done a lot of different things well this season. The youngest of six kids, his style of play just might be the direct result of his upbringing in North Dakota.
"I think this time of year you is where you just really settle in, you simplify your game and pull your piece of the rope," he said, "and that just leads to team success."
Lake Superior State is the only team to beat MSU on its home ice this season and is 14-4-0 away from home.
"They're good," Hastings said. "They have veteran leadership, depth up front and their blue line is big, mobile and productive offensively. Damon (Whitten) and his staff have done a very good job. It will be a challenge for us."
For more on the series, check out the Freep's College Hockey Gameday and five things to look for this weekend.
In this weekend's other semifinals series, Northern Michigan hosts No. 15 Bowling Green. The Wildcats are looking to get to the championship game for the second year in a row, while the Falcons are looking to get there for the second time in three years, playing the team that kept them out a year ago. It's also the fourth time in nine years that the two teams are meeting in the postseason.
College Hockey News and USCHO also take a look at WCHA semifinal weekend.
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