Here’s a breakdown of the first-round matchups:

No. 5 Ohio State vs. No. 12 Bowling Green

Ohio State has one of the most dynamic offenses in college hockey and have scored five or more goals in eight games this season. If Bowling Green goaltender Jimmy Spratt can stay in the game mentally, despite what will likely be a constant bombardment, the Falcons will send it to a third game. But the Buckeyes offense will prove to be too much for the Falcons and they will win in dominating style Sunday.

Ohio State wins series 2-1

No. 6 Northern Michigan vs. No. 11 MSU

After having an absolutely horrible first half of the season, Northern Michigan has turned things around. In the two previous meetings between the teams at Munn Ice Arena at the end of October, MSU took four points. But those games were at home for MSU, and the Spartans have proven to be a completely different team on the road — winning only four times away from Munn all season (two of those were on neutral ice). Couple that with MSU’s depleted lineup, which will have to skate harder and longer on Northern Michigan’s Olympic ice, and the Spartans could be walking into a disaster. But somehow I like MSU. This series will go to a third game, much to the thanks of MSU senior goaltender Jeff Lerg, and senior forward Matt Schepke will be the hero on Sunday.

MSU wins series 2-1

No. 7 Western Michigan vs. No. 10 Lake Superior

While home ice is an advantage for most teams, this season the Broncos have only won three conference games in their barn. Western Michigan forward Patrick Galivan has had an outstanding year and is tied for second in the CCHA in points. While the Broncos goaltending has been extremely poor to say the least, I like the Broncos in this series because they are a third-period team. They have recorded 44 goals in the third period, which is more than double what they net in the first.

WMU wins series 2-0

No. 8 Nebraska-Omaha vs. No. 9 Ferris State

This is the only first-round matchup of teams from the same cluster, so these teams have come to know each other very well. In the four regular season matchups, Ferris State has taken 6-of-8 points against the Mavericks. But this series will be won or lost with special teams. Ferris State has racked up by far the most penalty minutes of any team in the country. If the Bulldogs play undisciplined hockey, Nebraska-Omaha will make them pay on the power play. Although Nebraska-Omaha is riding a 14-game winless streak (0-9-5), the playoffs are a whole new ballgame. They are due, right?

UNO wins series 2-1