St. Norbert and UW-Superior won NCHA playoff semifinal games last weekend and both teams advance to the finals this weekend at the Cornerstone Arena in Green Bay.

Either SNC or UWS have won each of the past eight NCHA playoff titles. SNC won titles in 2004, 2003, 1999 and 1998 while UWS won titles in 2002, 2001, 2000 and 1997. In 2002 the Jackets went on to win the NCAA Div. III National Championship. The two teams played twice this year with both games ending in ties. On Dec. 3 at St. Norbert the game finished 5-5 and on Feb. 12 in Superior it ended 2-2. Tht two teams have met twice before in the Finals. In 2003, SNC won, 5-2 and in 2002, UWS won, 4-3. SNC was ranked No. 1 and UWS No. 3 in the Feb. 22 NCAA Div. III West Region poll.

The finals is a one game series. If the game is tied at the end of 60 minutes, 20 minute overtime periods will be played until a winner is determined.

The NCHA playoff champion receives the league's automatic berth into the NCAA Div. III Championship series. Other league teams would have to earn an at-large berth to participate. The teams competing and matchups will be announced on Sunday, March 6.

St. Norbert 2, Lake Forest 1
St. Norbert scored two power-play goals to get the win. Spencer Carbery got the first at 12:56 of the period. It was his 23rd goal of the year and he was assisted by Connor Hughes and Jason Deitsch. Lake Forest tied the game at 16:01 of the second period when Ryan Panet scored with assists to Tyler Canal and Robin Charest. It was Panet's sixth goal of the year. Deitsch got the game-winner at 6:12 of the third period. Carbery picked up the lone assist. SNC goalie Kyle Jones made 16 saves while LFC's Joel Cameron stopped 51 shots. SNC finished 2-2 on the power play while LFC was 0-2. Both teams had four minor penalties.

Superior 6, River Falls 2
Myles Palliser and Mike Wiggins each scored two goals to help lead UWS to the win. UWS led 2-1 after one period and 4-2 after two. Palliser started the scoring at 7:20 of the first period. He scored his 11th goal of the year with assists to Derek Miller and Jay Dardis. UWRF tied the game at 11:43 when Marc-Andre Lalande scored a power-play goal with an assist to Matt Jackson. UWS went ahead at 13:41 when Kyle Nosan scored an unassisted, short-handed goal. The Falcons tied the game at 2:19 of the second period. Jackson scored his ninth goal of the year with an assist to Steve Moe. UWS scored the final four goals of the game. Palliser scored a power-play goal at 4:54 with Dardis on the assist. Wiggins scored at 12:08 of the second with Nosan getting the lone assist. In the third, Wiggins scored his 30th goal of the year, unassisted, at 7:46. UWS added a power-play goal by Randall Smisko at 15:27. It was his 10th goal of the year and he was assisted by Palliser and Dardis. UWS goalie Baron Bradley made 37 saves while UWRF goalie Andy Scanlon stopped 28 shots.

Upcoming Games
Peters Cup Final Playoffs
Saturday, March 5
Superior (2) at St. Norbert (1), 7:05 p.m.

Last Week's Results
Semifinal Playoffs
Saturday, Feb. 26
St. Norbert 2, Lake Forest 1 (at St. Norbert)
Superior 6, River Falls 2 (at Superior)

2005 NCHA Men's Standings
after games of Feb. 26, 2005