Thursday, January 26, 2012

Weekend Match-Ups (by Sioux 7)

Looking at the calendar this is the last weekend of action in January. We all know that means the season is winding down, put the stakes are going up. After this weekend it basically leaves us the month of February in the regular season. The teams are so bunched up in the middle of standings it should be another great race for home ice in the first round of the WCHA playoffs.

WCHA STANDINGS

Team………………………W-L-T………Points
1. Minnesota………………13-5-0…..……26
2. Minnesota-Duluth……..11-3-2….…….24
3. Colorado College……..11-7-0………..22
4. Nebraska-Omaha………9-6-3……….. 21
5. Denver……………………8-5-3………..19
6. North Dakota……….…...9-9-0….……..18
7. Michigan Tech………….8-7-1…….…..17
7. St. Cloud St……………. 7-8-3……….. 17
9. Wisconsin……………....7-9-2…..…….14
10. Bemidji State….……….5-9-2…………12
11. Minnesota State………4-13-1…………9
12. Alaska-Anchorage…...3-14-1…………7


WCHA Games

Minnesota State @ Bemidji State
Last weekend the MSUM Mavericks split with the UNO Mavericks in Mankato, and the Beavers enjoyed a weekend off.

Since the calendar flipped over to 2012 the Mavericks are holding their own, going 3-3-0 in January. The Beavers have a good record this year at the Sanford Center, owning a 8-3-1 record at home. Both teams are need of points. If they want to climb the standings and make run at home ice for the first round. The Beavers look to have a better shot at hosting, since they have more points currently and two games in hand on the Mavericks. The Mavericks haven’t been to good on the road, their last WCHA road win came back on November 5 versus MTU. MSUM fans would probably say they are due for a WCHA road win. SPLIT


Wisconsin Badgers @ #18 North Dakota
Last weekend Badgers swept the UAA Seawolves at the Kohl Center in Madison and North Dakota split with the SCSU Huskies in St. Cloud.

Earlier this season the Sioux visited the Badgers in Madison and left there with no points. UND will be looking to return the favor this weekend in Grand Forks. North Dakota has suffered numerous injuries this season, making everyone step up their game night in and night out. If they can stay healthy down the stretch here, they could make a run up the standings. This would help to secure home ice in the first round. Meanwhile, the Badgers are in what most are calling a rebuilding year. NORTH DAKOTA SWEEP


St. Cloud State vs #3 Minnesota
Last weekend Huskies split with North Dakota in St. Cloud and the Gophers split with CC Tigers in Minneapolis.

This is a home-home series with the opener in Minneapolis and the finale in St. Cloud. The Gophers have dropped the last few Friday night games they played and this weekend it is even more important for the gophers to win on Friday, with Saturday’s game in St. Cloud. The Huskies have been a bit inconsistent this season, so it is hard to predict which team will show up on which night. SPLIT


#15 Denver @ Alaska-Anchorage
Last weekend the Seawolves were swept by the Badgers in Madison and the Pioneers had a weekend off to rest up.

The Pioneers take the big airplane ride this weekend up to scenic Alaska. The Seawolves have not played in front of the home town fans since December 3-4 (vs. North Dakota). I’m sure the players and fans are chomping at the bit to play a game at the Sully. The Seawolves have been lighting the lamp this year, but have been surrendering a few too many as well. If the Pioneers can take the lead and make UAA play from behind they could leave Anchorage with some points. SPLIT


Michigan Tech @ #1 Minnesota-Duluth
Last weekend Huskies lost their one game against Northern Michigan in Houghton and the Bulldogs swept the UAH Chargers in Duluth.

Tech hits the road this weekend and will be on it six of their next eight games. The Huskies last road trip was to Minneapolis, where they split with the Gophers. MTU will have to avoid getting into a shoot out with the Bulldogs, UMD packs to much firepower for the Huskies to match. The Bulldogs will need to put shots up on the Huskies; they have allowed five goals or more in six games this season. The Huskies have shown they can take on the top powers this year, so don’t be too surprised if they leave Duluth with a point or two. BULLDOGS 3-pts.



BYE WEEK
#12 Colorado College
Nebraska-Omaha

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