A first round matchup between John Carroll University and Kent State University highlights a competitive College Hockey Mid-America (CHMA) post-season playoff tournament at Gilmour Academy Ice Arena this weekend.

     The fourth seeded Blue Streaks and Golden Flashes, seeded fifth, face off on Friday night at 8:30 P.M. The two Northeast Ohio schools are the only Ohio teams in the CHMA.

      John Carroll and Kent State split their two-game season series with each team winning on home ice.

Both games were decided by a single goal, setting up what should be an entertaining contest Friday night.

     The Golden Flashes skate into the playoffs after winning a pair of CHMA contests to close out their regular season. Kent defeated Mercyhurst and Duquesne each by a score of 5-1 last weekend.

     “One of the best things we did was we played with no pressure. We knew where we were sitting (regarding the playoffs) so guys felt a bit of relief. The guys felt like they could do a lot of things when they do not put pressure on themselves. It allowed them to make some incredible plays,” said Kent State Head Coach Zack Nowak.

     “We are hoping to foster that mindset heading into the playoffs,” continued Nowak.“(If we) come out, play our game, play with confidence, communicate and enjoy this process through playoffs, we are going to give our ourselves a good chance to win and a good chance to compete all the way through Sunday and hopefully further on.”

      John Carroll also enters the tournament following a weekend in which the Blue Streaks swept the same two opponents, Duquesne (5-3) and Mercyhurst (9-2).

      “I think there are four or five teams that could wind up winning this tournament,” observed John Carroll Head Coach Scott Shantery. “Everybody local will be able to see what John Carroll and Kent are doing and how we stack up against some of these A.C.H.A. teams in the region. There isn’t any question about it, this is the best and deepest that the CHMA has been.”

     “What is interesting about our league is that all the teams play a different style. Pittsburgh brings a run and gun, high skill and high-speed style, while I.U.P. (Indiana University of Pennsylvania) is very physical. John Carroll is kind of a mix of that. We are going to have bring something different each game. The main message for us is to be adaptable. We want to play our game, but we have to adapt to what is happening around us,” said Nowak.

     Both coaches believe the familiarity the teams have developed during the season and the ultra-competitive games they played against each other set the table for an exciting matchup.

     Shantery believes the teams will settle in after the opening minutes, stating, “We need to make some adjustments from the last time we played. We will have to make strong plays and be smart. I expect that the first five minutes will be physical and played with a high level of intensity. We will have to get through that and let it flow from there.”

      While Nowak believes, “It’s going to come down to late game play and who is going to bury their opportunities. It is going to be that close.”

     Senior forward Jim Grable led the Blue Streaks in scoring this season earning 42 points in 29 games via 18 goals and 24 assists for an eye-catching 1.45 points per game average.

     “Jim is a strong kid, and he is tough to knock off the puck. A lot of his goals have come in and around the net. He is a hard-nosed kid that loves to play in the corners and is really physical and can score some goals that way,” assessed Shantery.

      Kent State’s Zach Zwierecki amassed 36 points (20 goals, 16 assists) for a 1.24 points per game average.

      John Carroll netminder Nate Cava owns a 3.56 goals against average and a .881 save percentage and teammate Martin Moine has allowed 3.40 goals against average and a .881 save percentage.

     Goaltender Nick Beck has appeared in 21 of the Golden Flashes’ 29 games and has a 3.36 goals against average and a .908 save percentage.