Weekend Match-Ups (by Sioux 7)

There were a few surprises last weekend that I didn’t see coming at all.  The biggest was Wisconsin taking three points from the Pioneers in Denver.  If you would bet on that in Vegas you would be having a very Merry Christmas this year.  The other was UMD taking three from the Huskies in Houghton; looks like Coach Sandelin might have his dogs working together now. 

WCHA STANDINGS 2012-2013

Team………………………W-L-T………Points

1. Denver…………..………7-2-1………....15
2. St. Cloud St………….…6-4-0………….12
2. Minnesota………………5-3-2………….12
4. Nebraska-Omaha………5-2-1……........11
5. Colorado College ……..5-3-0..….……..10
5. North Dakota.………..…4-2-2…..……...10
5. Minnesota State………..5-5-0.…...……10
8. Michigan Tech………….3-6-1………….7
8. Minnesota-Duluth….…..2-5-3…………..7
8. Wisconsin…....…………2-5-3………......7
11. Bemidji State……..…..2-6-2.…….........6
12. Alaska-Anchorage…....1-4-3…...….…..5

WCHA Games

#4 Minnesota @ #19 Colorado College

Last weekend the Gophers split (2-3, 3-2) with the UNO Mavericks in Minneapolis and the Tigers split (5-3, 2-3ot) with NoDak in Colorado Springs.

The Tigers trail the Gophers by only 2 points in the standings and have played 2 fewer games to boot.  The Gophers are 4-2-1 away from Minneapolis this season and the Tigers are 5-4-1 at home in World Arena.  Both teams are a +4 in goal differential this year in the WCHA, UM is 28-24 and CC is 31-27.  The Gophers have scored almost half of their goals on the power play, so if the Tigers want to increase their odds of winning, they need to stay out of the sin bin.  CC has to be looking to take out a little frustration after Saturday’s loss to NoDak, since they gave up the tying goal with 13 seconds left and gave up the winner 51 seconds into overtime.  SPLIT

Alaska-Anchorage @ Minnesota State

Last weekend the Seawolves split (3-4ot, 3-1) with the SCSU Huskies in Anchorage and the Mavericks swept (3-0, 6-1) the Beavers in Mankato.

The Seawolves notched their first WCHA win last weekend to erase the goose egg in the win column.  The Mavericks notched their second sweep in as many weekends, is now on a 4 game winning streak in the conference.  The Mavericks now find themselves with an even record and are looking to secure a winning record heading into the Christmas break (they play at UNO before the break too).  MSUM is hot right now and UAA is, well, not.  MAVERICKS SWEEP

#14 Nebraska-Omaha @ #17 St. Could St. 

Last weekend the Mavericks split (3-2, 2-3) with the Gophers in Minneapolis and the Huskies split (4-3ot, 1-3) with the Seawolves in Anchorage.

The Mavericks just had their 7 game win streak snapped on Saturday night and are looking to start a new streak this weekend.  The Huskies are 4-4-0 over their last eight games, all WCHA games.  This should be an evenly matched series, with the teams separated by a lone point in the standings.  When the dust settles this weekend from these tilts, I think the one point margin will still exist.  SPLIT

Bemidji St. @ Minnesota-Duluth

Last weekend the Beavers were swept (3-0, 6-1) by the MSUM Mavericks in Mankato and the Bulldogs took 3-points (7-3, 4-4ot) from the MTU Huskies in Houghton.

The Bulldogs are 2-2-2 over their last six games (UND, SCSU, MTU) and the Beavers are 1-4-1 (MTU, UAA, MSUM) over that same span.  UMD lead the BSU by a point in the standings, but both teams are feeling the pinch with Christmas break just around the corner.  If the Bulldogs can get a sweep this weekend at home they will almost even their record and further themselves from the Beavers.  I’m in the mindset that UMD has gotten their game back on track after a dismal start.  BULLDOGS SWEEP

#6 Denver @ #9 North Dakota

Last weekend the Pioneers got a point (1-1ot, 1-3) from the Badgers in Denver and NoDak split (3-5, 3-2ot) with the Tigers in Colorado Springs.

The Pioneers come to Grand Forks sitting atop the WCHA standings, five points ahead of NoDak; however NoDak has two games in hand on Denver.  The last time these teams met was the Final Five Championship game, which NoDak won 4-0. They met last season for a pair of games in late February in Denver, with the teams trading wins, UND 4-3 in the opener, and DU 5-3 in the rematch.  There has been some animosity between these two teams for a good decade now, it started back up with UND’s Robbie Bina getting checked from behind and suffering a broken neck.  Since then the dislike and contempt for each other has festered.  The most shocking moment was back on January 24, 2009, when DU coach Gwozdecky walked across the ice after being ejected from the game.  Anyway, back to this weekend, both teams fell a little flat last weekend and will obviously be trying to right the wrongs.  DU will be looking to find its scoring touch, after only scoring two goals last weekend.  UND is the opposite, they need to cut down on their opponents scoring chances and shoring up their defensive zone.  SPLIT

Michigan Tech @ Wisconsin

Last weekend the Huskies got a point (3-7, 4-4ot) from the Bulldogs in Houghton and on Tuesday night they lost to Northern Michigan (2-1) and the Badgers took 3-points (1-1ot, 3-1) from the Pioneers in Denver, last weekend.

It might be too early to say the Badgers have turned the corner, but after last weekend’s effort in Denver, fans in Madison have something to be merry about.  Meanwhile the Huskies have just two wins in their last ten games, 2-7-1, over that span. Of course, UW’s win last Saturday was their first October 26^th against UMD, and the Badgers have yet to win at home in the Kohl Center this season.  These two are currently tied in the standings with seven points apiece and I have a feeling they will still be tied come Sunday.  SPLIT

Weekend Match-Ups (by Sioux 7)

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Remember this is the weekend to sit down with family and friends and reminisce about everything you have to be thankful for.  Also it’s a time to reflect on the start of our great country and the traditional meal between the Native Americans and the Pilgrims.  And of course, it’s the time to eat as much turkey and pumpkin pie as you can.

WCHA STANDINGS 2012-2013

Team………………………W-L-T………Points
1. Denver…………..………7-1-0………...14
2. Minnesota………………4-2-2………….10
3. Nebraska-Omaha………4-1-1…….......9
4. Colorado College ……..4-2-0..….…….8
4. North Dakota.………..…3-1-2…..……..8
4. St. Cloud St………….…4-2-0………….8
7. Michigan Tech………….3-5-0…………6
8. Wisconsin…....…………1-3-2………....4
9. Bemidji State……..…….1-4-1.……......3
10. Alaska-Anchorage…......0-2-2….…….2
10. Minnesota State………..1-5-0.….……2
10. Minnesota-Duluth….….0-4-2…..…….2

WCHA Games

Alaska-Anchorage @ Bemidji St.

Last weekend the Seawolves enjoyed a weekend off and the Beavers were swept by the MTU Huskies, 5-4ot and 2-1ot, in Bemidji.

The Seawolves trail the Beavers by a lone point in the standings, but have two games in hand on BSU.  If UAA can pull off a sweep they will have evened their record this thanksgiving weekend, if they sweep.  BSU has to be concerned about get swept at home in the Sanford Center last weekend.  The Beavers can’t go many weekends without points if they hope to finish in the top half of the ledger.  SPLIT

#12 St. Could St. @ Minnesota-Duluth

Last weekend the Huskies had a bye weekend and the Bulldogs earn 1 point against NoDak, 4-4ot and 3-4ot, in Grand Forks.

Is it too early in season to say that if the Huskies sweep the Bulldogs this weekend, UMD is almost assured of a bottom half finish?  The Bulldogs played well at UND last weekend and only left Grand Forks with a solitary point.  If UMD can keep their heads up and believe in themselves, they can comeback.  The Huskies however would like nothing better than to squash any hopes of a comeback by Duluth.  This should be a very interesting series to watch, and sooner or later UMD will win a conference game.  SPLIT

Minnesota State @ Wisconsin

Last weekend the Mavericks were resting up and the Badgers got a point from the Gophers, 2-2ot and 1-3, in Minneapolis.

The Badgers are winless at the Kohl Center this year, UW is 0-2-0 at home.  Since the Badgers are averaging just under 2goals per game, they need to either score more or play stellar defensively.  The Mavericks are scoring just under 3goals per game, so they are putting the puck into the net.  If the Badgers can gobble up a pair of wins this weekend they can even their WCHA record.  The Mavericks can’t afford back to back weekend with no points, if they want to keep in the hunt for a top half finish.  SPLIT

Non Conference Games

#3 New Hampshire @ #14 Colorado College (Fri) – Yale @ CC (Sat)

Last weekend the UNH Wildcats beat UMass-Lowell, 3-0, on the road on Friday and beat BU, 3-1, on Sunday in Boston and the Tigers were swept by their rivals Denver, 5-6 and 2-6, in a home and home series.

The Wildcats have been on tear to start this year, going an impressive 8-1-1 to date, and their only loss was in overtime.  The Tigers will be looking to get back on track this weekend, but that isn’t going to be easy, against a good UNH team.  I’m taking the visiting felines in this game. UNH WINS

On Saturday the Bulldogs of Yale will take the ice in World Arena against the Tigers.  I’ll the felines over the canines in this one.  TIGERS WIN

Yale @ #2 Denver (Fri) – #3 UNH @ #2 DU (Sat)

Last weekend the Yale Bulldogs had a bye and the Pioneers swept the Tigers, 6-5 and 6-2, in a home and home series.

The Bulldogs enter this weekend with a 3-2-1 overall record, and the Pioneers are 9-1-0 overall.  I don’t think much else needs to be said, does it?  Okay, one caveat, if DU is suffering from post sweep happiness they might get a wakeup call.  Still PIONEERS WIN

In what should be the match-up of the this holiday weekend the #2 and #3 teams in country do battle.  Both teams look to fairly even on paper, so it is hard to pick a winner or a loser in this game.  TIE

#7 North Dakota @ #6 Notre Dame

Last weekend NoDak took 3 points from the Bulldogs in Grand Forks, 4-4ot and 4-3ot, and the Irish swept the Michigan Wolverines, 3-1 and 4-1, in Ann Arbor.

The guys from NoDak got off to a slow start in both games last weekend and managed to come back in those games.  However, they are playing a much better team in Notre Dame, than UMD this weekend.  UND needs to get on the board first and take the crowd factor out of the game, if they want to succeed this weekend in South Bend.  Another couple of slow starts could have NoDak’s record heading south after the Thanksgiving weekend.  Let’s hope the Irish are in the giving spirit this weekend.  SPLIT

Alabama-Huntsville @ #15 Nebraska-Omaha

Last weekend the Chargers split with the CCHA’s Lake Superior State, 2-1 win and 4-0 loss, in Ste. Saint Marias and the Mavericks enjoyed a free weekend.

The Chargers are 1-10-1 this year, last year UAH only mustard 2 wins, but one was against the UNO Mavericks (the other was over Denver).  If the Mavericks take these games seriously they should walk away with a pair of wins.  MAVERICKS SWEEP

#4 Minnesota @ Vermont

Last weekend the Gophers took three points from the Badgers in Minneapolis, 2-2ot and 3-1, and the UV Catamounts lost to BU, 6-2, on Friday and beat Northeastern, 3-2, on Sunday, both at home, and then lost to UMass on Tuesday 3-1, on the road.

Some info on Vermont is, they are located in Burlington, the University was founded in 1791, has an enrollment of 8,100, their colors are Green and Gold, and their rink is the Gutterson Fieldhouse, which is NHL size and seats 4,000 spectators. The Catamounts are off to a sluggish start, they are owners of a 2-5-2 overall record, which is also their Hockey East record.  The Gophers have tied two of their last three games, against what might be called weaker teams.  UM is 2-2-1 away from Minneapolis this season.  Being the Thanksgiving weekend, we’ll see if the Gophers and Catamounts are in the giving spirit… SPLIT

BYE WEEK

Michigan Tech

Weekend Match-Ups (by Sioux 7)

It’s funny that the season is just underway and it is only two until thanksgiving.  Where does the time go?  Looking at the standings there are teams that appear to be top half teams and other that will be bottom half teams.   There are teams that have played 4 more games than others, so that has to be factored into account.  MTU started with a split with UM and has gotten swept the last four games, ouch, they need to get back on track in Houghton.  UAA and UMD are hoping to avoid the same early season fate of MTU, by getting some points this weekend.


WCHA STANDINGS 2012-2013

Team………………………W-L-T………Points
1. Denver…………..………3-1-0………...6
1. St. Cloud St………….…3-1-0…………6
3. Nebraska-Omaha………2-1-1……......5
4. Colorado College ……..2-0-0..….…….4
4. Minnesota………………2-2-0…………4
6. Bemidji State……..…….1-0-1.……......3
6. North Dakota.………..…1-0-1….……..3
6. Wisconsin…....…………1-2-1...……....3
6. Michigan Tech………….1-5-0…………2
10. Minnesota State………1-3-0….……..2
11. Alaska-Anchorage…....0-1-1……..….1
11. Minnesota-Duluth….….0-1-1…..…….1


WCHA Games

Bemidji St. @ #19 Colorado College
Last weekend the Beavers enjoyed a weekend off and the Tigers swept the Badgers in Madison.

We two of the three teams who haven’t lost a WCHA game in this series.  Looking at the overall numbers this season give us a little insight, CC scored 27 and given up 22 goals over 8 games, and the Beavers scored 11 and given up 7 over 4 games.  The Tigers play on their oversized sheet of ice, at World Arena, and we all know that with all that extra ice it is harder to check players.  The Tigers will have the home ice advantage in this series, but the Beavers know how to play defense and frustrate teams.  Tigers 3-pts


#3 Denver @ Minnesota State
Last weekend the Pioneers spilt with the SCSU Huskies in Denver and the Mavericks split with the Gophers.

The Pioneers got blanked last Friday, but rebounded nicely on Saturday for a split.  The Mavericks are undefeated at the Verizon Wireless Center in Mankato this year, 2-0-1.  The Pioneers play on a standard ice sheet, and MSUM plays on the oversized Olympic sheet, so DU might have some adjustments to deal with.  Also the Pioneers play their arch-rivals next week, the CC Tigers, so they cannot afford to look past this weekend.  Also this will be DU’s first games away from home this season.  The Mavericks have to build up their confidence after last weekend’s play against a top team in Gophers.  I’m going with the Mavericks Friday and the Pioneers Saturday.  SPLIT

#6 North Dakota @ #15 St. Could St. 
Last weekend NoDak split with the BU Terriers in Grand Forks and the Huskies split with the Pioneers in Denver.

The Huskies are a perfect 4-0-0 at the National Hockey Center this young season, and NoDak is 0-1 on the road this year.  SCSU has given up 20 goals in 8 games, or 2.5/game, UND has given up 12 goals in 6 games, or 2.0/game.  Which leads to the old quote, defense wins games, offense sells tickets.  Last year these teams split both series, each going 2-2-0, with splits at both rinks, with SCSU winning on Friday’s and UND winning on the Saturday’s.  At the moment, I don’t see why the trend should change this weekend.  SPLIT

#2 Minnesota @ Alaska-Anchorage
Last weekend the Gophers split with the SCSU Huskies in Minneapolis and the Seawolves had a free weekend in Anchorage.

The Gophers make the long flight to Anchorage this weekend to play the Seawolves.  Last year, in October, when the UM went to UAA the Gophers swept them. This year the Gophers are 1-2-0 away from Minneapolis and the Seawolves are 1-0-1 in Anchorage this season.  I’m going with a little upset in this series, UAA is due one.  SPLIT


#20 Minnesota-Duluth @ Nebraska-Omaha (Sat/Sun)

Last weekend the Bulldogs were on a bye week and the Mavericks swept the MTU Huskies in Houghton.

The Bulldogs find themselves in a tough spot early in the season, tied with UAA for the bottom spot.  UMD can ill afford a winless weekend in Omaha, starting of the conference schedule with no wins in four games would be a deep hole.  UNO is off to a good start in the league sitting alone in 3^rd place and only losing once in four WCHA contests.  I’m not sure why this is a Saturday night, Sunday afternoon series, but it is what it is.  The Mavericks have scored 25 goals in 8 games, 3.1/game, and the Bulldogs have scored 14 times in 6 games, 2.3/game.   Since both coach’s are ex-UND coach’s they are very familiar with one another.  SPLIT

BYE WEEK
Michigan Tech
Wisconsin

Weekend Match-Ups (by Sioux 7)

Western Collegiate Hockey Association logo (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

I think we can safely say that the WCHA season is officially under way.  Interesting that the there was not on split on the weekend, either sweeps or three points.  Another note, is that it appears the BSU still has UNO’s number, perhaps the Mavericks should ask the Beavers to give it back J

WCHA STANDINGS 2012-2013

Team………………………W-L-T………Points

1. Denver…………..………2-0-0………...4
1. St. Cloud St………….…2-0-0…………4
2. Bemidji State……..…….1-0-1.……......3
2. North Dakota.………..…1-0-1….……...3
2. Wisconsin…....…………1-0-1...……....3
6. Michigan Tech………….1-3-0…………2
6. Minnesota………………1-1-0…..……..2
8. Alaska-Anchorage…......0-1-1………...1
8. Minnesota-Duluth….…..0-1-1….……..1
10. Nebraska-Omaha…….0-1-1…….......1
11. Colorado College ……0-0-0..……….0
12. Minnesota State………0-2-0….……..0

WCHA Games

#18 St. Could St. @ #3 Denver

Last weekend the Huskies swept the MSUM Mavericks, by identical 5-1 scores in St. Cloud and the Pioneers swept the MTU Huskies, 5-1 and 5-2 in Denver.

Even though it is just the second conference series, this is the battle for top billing in the WCHA.  The Pioneers and Huskies sit atop the standings with four points each.  A sweep by either team would keep them on top for at least another week.  It would also give them an excellent start to the season.  I’m going to hope for a couple of wild shoot out games.  These games could be electrifying, since both teams put up 10 goals last weekend.  SPLIT

Nebraska-Omaha @ Michigan Tech

Last weekend the Mavericks got one point (3-3, 2-3) from the BSU Beavers in Omaha and the Huskies were swept by the Pioneers (5-1, 5-2) in Denver.

This series could already be the old cliché, “You can’t win the title in the first half, but you can lose it.”  MTU can’t afford to get swept in back to back weekends, especially when they are at home this weekend.  The Mavericks also need to get some points this weekend, if they want to stay out of the bottom spots.  If the Huskies play like they did against the Gophers a couple of weeks ago, they should get a win or two this weekend.  SPLIT

Minnesota State vs #2 Minnesota (home and home series)

Last weekend the Mavericks were swept by the SCSU Huskies (5-1, 5-1) in St. Cloud and the Gophers tied the US U-18 team and beat Canisius 1-0 in Minneapolis.

The Mavericks got pounded by the Huskies last weekend, which was MSUM Mike Hastings first series as a head coach in the WCHA.  I bet he was hoping for a little more love from his alum mater (SCSU in 1993).  With the #2 ranked Gophers playing them this weekend, it doesn’t get any easier for him.  The Gophers need to forget about Sunday’s game (after scoring 12 seconds into the game they went scoreless on their next 41 shots).  I’m not sure either, how much that Sunday matinee game might throw off their schedule… thus I’m going with the home teams to win.  SPLIT

Colorado College @ Wisconsin
Last weekend the Tigers were swept by the Big Red of Cornell (2-0, 3-2) at Cornell and the Badgers took three points from the Bulldogs (2-0, 2-2) in Duluth.

The Badgers are playing their first home games of the year this weekend at the Kohl center in Madison.  The Tigers are on a three game losing skid, after winning their first three games to open the season.  This series will like be the last between the two in Madison for some time with the two teams going to different conferences next year.  It appears the Badgers are gaining momentum after last weekend while the Tigers are losing it.  With that on my mind, I’m going to call the series for the Badgers, 3-pts.

Non Conference Games

#12 Boston U. @ #5 North Dakota
Last weekend the Terriers swept Massachusetts (5-2, 3-2) in a home-and-home series and NoDak took three points from the Seawolves (4-1, 3-3) in Grand Forks.

This will be the Terriers first visit to the new Engelstad Arena.  The Terriers last visit to Grand Forks was in December 1996.  NoDak leads the all-time series 11-7-1, and BU is winless in their last 6 games in GF, going 0-5-1.  The last time BU and UND played was Oct. 2008 in the IceBreaker in which BU won 5-1.  The BU coach Jack Parker is now in his 40 year with the Terriers, that is quite a accomplishment in this day and age.  Last year BU had the nation’s best road record, 11-4-1.  Looking at all the numbers this should be a pretty even series, but having the home ice advantage, I have to give the nod to Nodak.  UND wins and ties.

BYE WEEK

Alaska-Anchorage
Bemidji St.
#17 Minnesota-Duluth

Dell backstops Sioux to a 4-2 victory over Mavericks

Image via Wikipedia

Grand Forks, ND – Minnesota State University came into this series as one of the hotter teams in the WCHA. Coming into the game the Mavericks had gone an impressive 6-3-1 in their last ten games.

While they started the season with a dismal 3-13 record and are currently the 11th-placed team in the WCHA standings. But the Mavericks aren’t as bad as their record shows as the start of their season was decimated by a rash of injuries. Those players have returned and the Mavericks have improved as the season has gone along, going 9-8-1 in their last 18 games.

The North Dakota Fighting Sioux have been hot themselves 6-3-1 in the last 10 games, making tonight’s game a contest of two in-form teams.

The Mavericks are led offensively by a pair of prolific freshman players in Jean-Paul Lafontaine (Oxford, MI) and Matt Leitner (Los Alamities, CA). This dynamic duo lead the team in points, but tonight the duo would be held to just a single point.

The Mavericks came out of the gates fast and were on the scoreboard early, with Leitner scoring the first goal at the 01:37 mark of the first period.

The early marker against didn’t rattle the Fighting Sioux.

As the season has progressed, this year’s Fighting Sioux hockey team have become accustomed to giving up the first goal of the game.  If anything it’s been a recurring theme.

The Fighting Sioux have given up the first goal in 20 out of 33 games that they have played this season. But by the same token, the Fighting Sioux have a record of 8-3-2 at Ralph Englestad Arena when giving up the first goal of the game.

“It’s not the first time that we have given up the first goal in the first five minutes or so of the game,” UND forward Michael Parks said.  “A couple months ago we wouldn’t have responded the way we did tonight, but we have matured quite a bit as a group, and we came out and responded really well to giving that first one early.”

After the Maverick’s first goal, the Fighting Sioux would score three unanswered goals of their own, and would not surrender the lead the rest of the game.

The second period was a little less dramatic than the first period as both teams had some good chances and the Mavericks appeared to have more jump in their step. Both goalies played well and gave neither team anything.

The Mavericks would outshoot the Fighting Sioux 9-7 in the second period and would get many great chances that were repelled by Fighting Sioux junior goalie Aaron Dell.  With the win tonight, Dell was able to record his 44th win of his career tying him for 10th all-time at UND.

“He [Dell] played great,” junior forward Danny Kristo said of his goalie’s performance. “He made three or four saves that could have been goals.

“Awesome for him. He has been sick and battling injuries for the last two weeks, so he came in to night and played good. Everyone is happy for him.”

The third period was more action packed, as both teams were able to light the lamp and give the home team fans something to cheer about and the Fighting Sioux were able to gut out a 4-2 win.
Fighting Sioux head coach Dave Hakstol was pleased with his team’s effort.

“I thought our ability to answer back after giving up the first one early in the game was very important,” Hakstol said.

“We got a couple of grinding goals down low on the crease, after that. Once they [Mavericks] made it a one-goal game in the third period, we had a couple of guys that made a big play to extend it to a two goal lead again.”

With the loss tonight, the Mavericks dropped to 12-21-2, 8-17-2 WCHA record. The Mavericks remain in 11th place of the WCHA standings and they travel to Minnesota Duluth for the first round of the WCHA playoffs.

With the win, the Fighting Sioux secured fourth place in the WCHA standings and will play the ninth-placed team in the first round of the WCHA playoffs, the Fighting Sioux improve to 19-12-3, 15-11-1 WCHA.

The same two teams play tomorrow night.

Related articles

• North Dakota vs. Minnesota State: Series Notes (insidehockey.com)
• Eidsness leads UND past MTU 4-2 (ndgoon.blogspot.com)
• Lucky Bounces Save Sioux in Tie (insidehockey.com)
• Sioux vs. Mavericks series notes (ndgoon.blogspot.com)
• UND stops UMD 3-1 (ndgoon.blogspot.com)

Weekend Match-Ups (by Sioux 7)

Image via WikipediaReady… Set… GO… And they’re off.

The good news, the regular season is starting, the bad news, there is only 2 seasons left of the WCHA as we know it. This is it. Everyone has a chance to start their run to capture the big, shiny, MacNaughton Cup.

I hope everyone had a good summer and is as anxious as I am for college hockey to get underway. I look forward to seeing how poorly my prognostication skills are again this season. Hopefully, you will enjoy reading my attempts to make some type of educated guess to who will win their games week in and week out.

Here is a little refresher…


WCHA ‘10-‘11 FINAL standings

TEAM……………..…....W-L-T...Pts
1. North Dakota…..……..21-6-1…43
2. Denver……..………...…17-8-3…37
3. Nebraska-Omaha.…..17-9-2…36
4. Minnesota-Duluth.....15-8-5…35
5. Minnesota……..….......13-10-5…31
6. Colorado College…...13-13-2…28
7. Wisconsin………....….12-13-3…27
8. Alaska-Anchorage…12-14-2…26
8. St. Cloud State….....11-13-4…26
10. Bemidji State…….….8-15-5…21
10. Minnesota State…….8-16-4…20
12. Michigan Tech………2-24-2…6


This season the WCHA starts out with 7 teams ranked in the USCHO poll:

#3 – North Dakota
#4 – Denver
#7 – Colorado College
#8 – Minnesota-Duluth
#14 – Nebraska-Omaha
#17 – Wisconsin
#19 – Minnesota


Non Conference Games

American International @ Michigan Tech
Last season the Huskies jumped out with a 6-game unbeaten streak, and then things fell apart. This year let’s hope they get off to another good start, but not have the falling apart thing happen again. HUSKIES WIN & TIE.


Bemidji St. @ #2 Miami (OH)
The Beavers start the season with a stiff test. Let’s hope the Beavers are up to the challenge. I’m sure the RedHawks won’t overlook BSU. With a rank of number two, you gotta be good, so I’m going with the home team. RedHawks Sweep.


Minnesota State @ #18 Rensselaer
This series could go down as an upset, the Mavericks have good goaltending and could easily take the series. However, this season is just starting, so they might be rusty, both teams. SPLIT.


#1 Notre Dame @ #8 Minnesota-Duluth
This should be the top series of the weekend, with two top ten teams playing a pair of games in South Bend. I’m wimping out in this one. SPLIT.


Sacred Heart @ #19 Minnesota
This is Sacred Heart playing the Gophers, not Holy Cross, so don’t get them confused now. However, if SH beats the Gophers, you will not get them confused. GOPHERS WIN & TIE


Northern Michigan @ #17 Wisconsin
The Badgers get a visit from an old WCHA foe, in the form of the Wildcats from Marquette. NMU plays some good hockey so don’t be surprised if they give the Badgers a run for their money. SPLIT


ICE BREAKER
Air Force @ #3 North Dakota
The Falcons have played top teams in season past, but have not beaten many of them. I’m going with the host team in this match-up, Sioux win.

#5 BC or MichSt. @ #3 North Dakota
I’m thinking the Eagles will beat the Spartans in their first game, and then move on to play the Sioux. I think everyone wants to see a game between two top five teams. Sioux win. And then in the other game of AFA v MSU, I’m going with the Falcons.


MAVERICK STAMPEDE
Mercyhurst @ #14 Nebraska-Omaha
Last year it seemed as if the Mavericks played to the level of their opponents. They would beat many of the top teams, but would lose to some of the lower teams. I’m sure UNO fans want another fast start this season. Mavericks win.

Colgate/RMU @ #14 Nebraska-Omaha
I’m not sure who to go with in the CU/RMU contest, I’m leaning the way of Colgate, can’t explain it, but I’m going with them to win over RMU. Then I’ll take them over UNO in their game. That leaves RMU v Mercyhurst, and I’m going with Mercyhurst in that contest.


KENDALL HOCKEY CLASSIC
St. Cloud St. @ Alaska
Last year I attended this tournament in Anchorage and had a good time. This year I will not be attending, since the Sioux are not there. I’m going to take the Huskies in this game over the soon to be WHCA Nanooks.

St. Could St @ Alaska-Anchorage
This is a non-conference game between these two in this game. The Seawolves finished strong last season and I think they will be a tough team this year too. Seawolves win.

Clarkson @ Alaska-Anchorage
I have to go with our WCHA friends in this match-up, especially when it is at the Sullivan Arena in Anchorage. Seawolves win.

Clarkson @ Alaska
I like the Nanooks sweaters, so hey, why not support them here. Nanooks win.


BYE WEEK
#7 Colorado College Tigers
#5 Denver Pioneers