It’s been a tumultuous first semester of college hockey, but perhaps none more turbulent than that endured by the CCHA, especially tough on prognosticators.

Just when you think you’ve got the trends fully analyzed, a ravaged Lake State squad sweeps the red-hot NMU Wildcats or Ferris State dominates Bowling Green on the road.

This league is a lot easier to assess in hindsight. With the luxury of hindsight, RinkRap presents the CCHA’s first-half awards.

Vezina Trophy: Ethan Langenegger, Lake Superior State

His decorated rival Dryden McKay has the superior stats and will probably win all the national honors this year, but Langenegger faced the most adversity when his team was collapsing with health issues all around him.

His shutout of No. 1 Minnesota State amid the crisis may have saved the Lakers season.

Honorable Mention to Michigan Tech’s Blake Pietila, who had a pair of shutouts and a stingy 2.06 GAA.

Calder Trophy: Austen Swankler, Bowling Green

The preseason rookie of the year projection is a true slam dunk. Not only has Swankler led the Falcons in scoring with 19 points, but he has been a physical force on the ice as well.

Last Friday against Ohio State, several Buckeyes tried to run the freshman through the boards and found themselves pancaked.

Swankler is a man on a mission, looking to squeeze an entire college career into a single season. He adores his mates, bleeds brown and orange, and declares that his fifth-place Falcons are national contenders.

He’s the reason NHL scouts are pointing their rental cars south after landing in Detroit.

Honorable Mention: Josh Nixon (LSSU). Has put up a tidy little scoring line (4-4-8) with different linemates every week.

Norris Trophy: Jake Livingstone, Minnesota State

The sophomore from western Canada made a name for himself in last year’s NCAA tourney and has basked in the ensuing spotlight this season, leading all CCHA defensemen with six goals.

If his Mavericks are to reach their second straight Frozen Four, Livingstone’s ability to turn defense into offense will be a major reason.

Honorable Mention: Jacob Bengtsson (LSSU). The Swedish soph has dished out a team-leading 18-helpers this year for the Soo Lakers.

Hart Trophy: Nathan Smith, Minnesota State

The former roller blader from Tampa has developed into college hockey’s version of Mark Messier: a player who combines an elite scoring knack with a mean streak the width of his shoulders. His stat line concurs— 27 points, 27 minutes in the box.

With the NHL’s Winnipeg Jets waiting in the wings, Smith is content to drive the Mavericks into the nation’s top spot in the rankings.

He was projected as the CCHA’s player of the year by the coaches and there is every reason to think he will skate away with those honors.

As soon as his bid for a “natty champ” comes to an end this spring, he may be fighting for a Stanley Cup in Winnipeg.

Honorable Mention: Brian Halonen, Michigan Tech. Fans in Michigan’s Copper Country wouldn’t trade Halonen for any other CCHA player. It’s more than his impeccable 11-11-22 scoring line. Tech coach Joe Shawhan scrutinizes every shift his kids play on video, and still hasn’t found Halonen on the ice for a five-on-five chance against. He is the favored son of the Huskies, a role model to all the thousands of youth hockey players wearing Tech jerseys at MacInnes Arena on game night.

Jack Adams Award: Damon Whitten, Lake Superior State

With his team torn into pieces by a health crisis and quarantine disruptions, including a week in which three players bolted campus, Whitten has maintained a steady ship in roiling waters.

Thanks to a six-point final weekend and a shocking upset of Minnesota State, Whitten’s Lakers have snuck into a coveted home-ice slot in the CCHA playoff race.

He and his superb staff have run practices with a skeleton crew of skaters yet have instilled the vision and confidence to propel the Lakers back into contention.

Having survived untold adversity, Whitten’s men will be a dangerous squad in the second half.