Last week end, MSU's hockey team had a chance to move into first place in the CCHA ahead of Miami.  But the Red Hawks earned five out of six points on a difficult trip to Alaska and now Miami may well win the league title by double digit points over the second place team a month from now.  Miami has two games in hand on the Spartans and an easier schedule beginning this weekend with two home games against last place Western Michigan.  The Spartans have two with Michigan, two at Alaska, a week off, then two with Ferris State and two with Bowling Green.  MSU is already seven points behind Miami and just holding on to second place will be a challenge.  The Spartans are 16-8-4 and they only have three home games left beginning Friday against the Wolverines.  Saturday's game is at Joe Louis Arena.  A top four finish gives MSU a first round bye in the CCHA playoffs.  That will be a big improvement over last season when they opened at Northern Michigan and got blown out twice.  This team is much better, but still prone to tough moments like Saturday when the Spartans let the Buckeyes get out of town with a split.