Tiger's Taft scores the game winning goal against DU, with help from DU goalie

This is the goal in question, I was finally able to get my hand on it. Colorado College forward Charlie Taft will probably never score a more fluky goal than this one. This was also the goal, that everyone was talking about on Monday morning that vaulted the Tigers to the Final Five and left the Denver Pioneers scratching their heads. I am sure there are some that aren't feeling sorry for the Pioneers, it's just one of those things.

The goal in question is at the 2:18 mark. s/t to Joe Paisley sending me the video. DU's Juho Olkinuora is a great goalie, but stuff happens in games that has no explanation sometimes.

Weekend Match-Ups (by Donn)

Western Collegiate Hockey Association logo (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

We have now arrived at the last games of February, which means that the regular season is nearing the end.  It also signals the start of March and the march into the playoff stretch.  The only spot we know for certain is 12^th place, the Seawolves are officially locked into the basement and will play at the league winners rink in three weeks.

WCHA STANDINGS 2012-2013

Team………………………W-L-T………Points

1. St. Cloud St……………15-6-1…….….31
2. Nebraska-Omaha….....14-8-2…....…..30
3. Minnesota State……….14-9-1.…...….29
4. Minnesota……………...12-6-4……..…28
5. North Dakota.………….11-5-6………..28
6. Wisconsin…....………..10-7-7………...27
7. Denver…………..……..10-7-5..….......25
8. Colorado College ……..8-10-4..…..….20
9. Minnesota-Duluth….…..8-12-4……….20
10. Michigan Tech………..6-14-4…..……16
11. Bemidji State……..…..5-13-6......……16
12. Alaska-Anchorage…....2-18-6.....……10

WCHA Games

#7 St. Could St.  @ Colorado College

Last weekend the Huskies and the Tigers were taking breaks from hockey.

The Huskies still control their destiny for the McNaughton Cup, keep winning and win the cup.  The Tigers odds of getting home ice are not good, needing to make up five points in six games, and then they need help, lots of help.  CC hosts MSUM next week before ending the season at MTU.  The Huskies on the other hand have MTU next week and go to UW to end the season.  The Huskies have only one loss in their last eight games, and that was to the UM.  The Tigers are undefeated in their last five games going 2-0-3 over that span.  When a team is desperate like CC, the Huskies better be ready for the kitchen sink to be thrown at them this weekend.  SPLIT

#6 North Dakota @ #10 Denver

Last weekend NoDak was on a bye and Pioneers were also on a bye.

These teams met earlier this year in Grand Forks with UND taking three points in a Friday night 2-2 tie and a win on Saturday 6-3.  NoDak is on a three game winning streak and a five game unbeaten streak, DU is 2-2-1 in their last five contests.  The games in December were not as heated as some of the past season.  And this weekend with valuable WCHA points at stake, I don’t think anyone wants to take any unnecessary penalties.  The Pioneers have played well in Denver this season owning a 10-4-3 record at Magness Arena, NoDak is a respectable 7-5-1 away from The Ralph this year.  I think this series comes down to goal tending and who makes a few timely saves or even steals a game.  SPLIT

Minnesota-Duluth @ #2 Minnesota

Last weekend the Bulldogs got a point from the Beavers (4-2, 1-1ot) in Bemidji and the Gophers split with the Badgers (3-2W, 2-3L) in Madison/Chicago.

The Bulldogs are all but guaranteed a road trip in the first round of the WCHA playoffs.  They would need to run their remaining schedule and get a ton of help.  UMD has not won a game since defeating CC on Jan-18, that’s more than a month.  If a Bulldog had a tail it would firmly tucked between in legs now.  However, UMD can look ahead to next weekend when they host the Chargers from Huntsville, who only have three wins on the season.  The Gophers will be just too much for the Bulldogs to handle, too much speed, and too much talent.  Plus the Gophers are looking to grab the last McNaughton Cup, and need to gain ground on the teams ahead of them.  GOPHERS SWEEP

NON-Conference

Penn State @ #18 Wisconsin (Sun/Mon)

Last weekend the Badgers split with the Gophers (2-3L, 3-2W) in Madison/Chicago and the Nittany Lions swept Oklahoma (4-1, 3-0) in exhibition play.

PSU has a couple of quality wins this year, over Michigan St., Ohio St., and Air Force.  This is the last series for the Lions this year and are current owners of a 12-13-0 record.  The Badgers are playing well and be the best team PSU has seen this season.  I don’t think PSU will get many scoring opportunities against the stingy Badgers defense.  I wouldn’t be surprised to see a couple of shut outs in Madison this weekend.  BADGERS SWEEP

Exhibition

US U-18 @ #14 Nebraska-Omaha (Fri)

Last weekend the Mavericks swept the Seawolves (3-0, 6-5ot) in Anchorage.

This is Omaha’s last “break” before the end of the season and playoff run starts.  Since this game doesn’t exist in the record books, I look to see Omaha play a few goalies in this game and see who might be the go to guy.  UNO WINS

BYE WEEK

Alaska-Anchorage  
Bemidji St.
Michigan Tech
#9 Minnesota State

Related articles

• Information about the WCHA Final Five Tournament (vividseats.com)

Weekend Match-Ups (by Donn)

Western Collegiate Hockey Association logo (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

We have a full slate of WCHA games this week with all 12 teams in action against each other.  Most teams are down to their last 8 league games coming into this weekend.  The numbers are starting to show who is likely to be on the top half or bottom half of the bracket. A month from now the regular season will wrap up the WCHA as we have known it for about half a century.  The numbers are looking good for the top 4 teams to host first round games, and they will most likely be hosting the current bottom 4 teams.  That leaves the middle 4 teams to sort things out and fight it out for the last two home series.

WCHA STANDINGS 2012-2013

Team………………………W-L-T………Points

1. St. Cloud St……………14-5-1…….….29
2. Nebraska-Omaha….....12-6-2…....…..26
3. Denver…………..……..10-6-4……......24
3. Minnesota……………...10-4-4……..…24
3. North Dakota.………..…9-5-6…….…..24
6. Wisconsin…....…………8-6-6………...22
7. Minnesota State……….10-9-1.…...….21
8. Minnesota-Duluth….…..8-9-3…………19
9. Colorado College ……..7-10-3..…..….17
10. Michigan Tech………..5-11-4…..……14
11. Bemidji State……..…..4-12-4......……12
12. Alaska-Anchorage…...1-15-6…...……8

WCHA Games

Colorado College vs #9 Denver

Last weekend the Tigers tied the Seawolves twice (2-2ot, 3-3ot) in Anchorage and the Pioneers swept the Bulldogs (3-0, 4-3) in Duluth.

The Gold Pan is looking to move up to Denver this season.  Back in mid-November the Pioneers swept the Tigers with a 6-5 win on the road and a 6-2 in Magness Arena.  All DU needs is a tie or win this weekend to capture the Gold Pan.  The Pioneers have been streaky as of late, but appear to be heading in the upward direction.  The Tigers have been chasing their tail since the calendar flipped to December, since then they have just 2 wins.  But like we all know you can throw the records and recent game outcomes out the window for rivalry games. SPLIT

Alaska-Anchorage @ Michigan Tech

Last weekend the Seawolves tied the Tigers twice (2-2ot, 3-3ot) in Anchorage and the Huskies split with the UNO Mavericks (4-3L, 2-1Wot) in Omaha.

The Seawolves have not won a game since Dec-1, and that was against SCSU.  However, the bright side for UAA is they are now on a two game unbeaten streak.  The down side is they only have six league games left, and after MTU, they play at UNO and end the year at DU (they play in-state rival Alaska in between those series).  The Huskies are 2-1-1 in their last four WCHA games.  MTU can relegate the Seawolves to a 12^th place finish this year, if they can sweep them this year.  If the Huskies can sweep they can try and avoid the top teams in the first round of the league playoffs.  HUSKIES SWEEP

#1 Minnesota @ #8 St. Could St. 
Last weekend the Gophers were off and the Huskies swept the Beavers (4-0, 4-1) in Bemidji.

This is the most important series this weekend, in terms of seeing who will be the controlling their McNaughton Cup title destiny.  Even though SCSU lead UM by five points UM has two games in pocket.  If the Huskies sweep they control their own fate for winning the league.  If UM gets a sweep, they can win the league title, but might need a little help?  SCSU has series at CC, home with MTU, and at UW after this weekend, so they have a favorable schedule to end the season.  With the teams being red hot in 2013, I don’t see anyone losing twice this weekend.  SPLIT

#11 Minnesota State @ Minnesota-Duluth

Last weekend the Mavericks were on a bye and the Bulldogs were swept by the Pioneers (3-0, 4-3) in Duluth.

The Mavericks after a bye weekend find themselves in the bottom half of the standings only two points ahead of the Bulldogs.  The Mavericks have been scoring more goals this year and have been rewarded with more wins.  They need to continue to score three or more a game to give them the opportunity to win.  MSUM can put UMD in the rear view mirror, if they get four points out of Amsoil arena, and improve their chances of getting home ice in the first round.  The Bulldogs still to have hopes of a first round series at home, but need some help to get there.  MAVERICKS 3-pts

#7 North Dakota @ #14 Nebraska-Omaha

Last weekend NoDak took three points from the Badgers (1-1ot, 4-1) in Grand Forks and the Mavericks split the MTU Huskies (4-3W, 2-1Lot) in Omaha.

NoDak plays six of their last eight games on the road.  It starts this weekend with a special game on Saturday, they are playing outside.  With these two teams separated by two points it should be a battle for every inch of ice, well at least of it doesn’t melt outside.  I just hope the weather doesn’t play too much of a factor.  Coach Blais will get welcome his former team to Omaha once again this weekend, NoDak is hoping his team will be a gracious host and give them points this weekend.  SPLIT

Bemidji St. @ #19 Wisconsin

Last weekend the Beavers were swept by the SCSU Huskies (4-0, 4-1) in Bemidji and the Badgers got a point from NoDak (1-1ot, 4-1) in Grand Forks.

The Badgers are currently holding the last home ice playoff spot, but only by a point.  The Beavers are 10 points behind the Badgers for the spot and with only eight games left, which is a pretty tall task.  However, the industrious Beavers can damn up the Badgers chances of getting home ice with taking points out of Madison this weekend.  The Badgers have been, well, awful at the Kohl Center this season, granted they are 5-5-2 their but, those 2 wins are Huntsville and 2 are the Seawolves.  I’m expecting a couple of very low scoring games in Madison this weekend.  I’d be surprised if there was more than four total goals were scored per game.  With that in mind, a bounce here or there could easily determine the winner of these games.  SPLIT  

Edit: Week 14 Power Rankings

Western Collegiate Hockey Association logo (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Here is the week 14 WCHA Power Rankings. This season, I have been doing the WCHA Power Rankings with Taylor Seibel who is a contributor of College Hockey Weekly.

In my humble opinion, there are three tiers that are starting to emerge in the WCHA. You have the first tier; this is the top six teams that all have at least 12 wins in their over-all record. You also have a middle tier of three teams (Minnesota State, Minnesota Duluth and Colorado College) . Then you have a bottom tier of three teams (Bemidji State, Michigan State and Alaska Anchorage).

Also, Bemidji State, Minnesota, North Dakota and Saint Cloud have only played 14 games while the rest of the league has played 16 league games.

1. Minnesota Gophers – (16-3-3, WCHA 8-3-3) – This past week, the Minnesota Gophers beat the Notre Dame Fighting Irish 4-1 at Mariucci Arena. Then, this past weekend, the Gophers sweep (4-3 W – 7-1 W) the UAA Seawolves.  The Gophers entertain UND in a pivotal two game WCHA series.

2. University of North Dakota – (13-5-3, WCHA 8-3-3) – This past weekend, UND split (3-4 L – 5-3 W) their series with the Colorado College Tigers at the Ralph Englestad Arena. This weekend the Green and White travel to Mariucci Arena to play the Gophers in an important two game conference series.

3. Denver University – (13-6-4, WCHA 8-4-4) – This past weekend, the Denver Pioneers took three points (7-4 W – 3-3 T) against the University of Nebraska Omaha Mavericks at Magness Arena. This weekend, the Pioneers travel to Saint Cloud to play the Huskies at the National Hockey Center.

4. Nebraska Omaha – (13-9-2, WCHA 9-5-2) – This past weekend, the Mavericks took one point (4-7 L – 3-3 T) against the Denver Pioneers at Magness Arena. This weekend, the Mavericks are off.

5. Saint Cloud State – (12-10-0, WCHA 9-5-0) – This past weekend, the Huskies were off. This weekend, the Huskies entertain the Denver Pioneers at the national hockey center.

6.  Wisconsin – (8-7-5, WCHA 6-5-5) – This past weekend, the Wisconsin Badgers swept (5-3 W – 1-0 W) Minnesota State Mavericks at the Verizon Wireless Center Mankato Minnesota

7. Minnesota State Mankato – (14-8-2, WCHA 8-8-0) – This past weekend, the Mavericks were swept (3-4 O.T. L – 1-2 O.T. L) by the Wisconsin Badgers at the Verizon Wireless Center in Mankato, Minnesota. This weekend, the Maverick travels to Alaska Anchorage to play the Seawolves.

8. Minnesota Duluth – (9-10-3, WCHA 7-6-3) – This past weekend, the Bulldogs swept (1-0 W – 5-4 W) the Michigan Tech Huskies at Amsoil Arena.  This weekend, the Bulldogs travel to Colorado College to play the Tigers at World Arena.

 9. Colorado College – (9-12-2, WCHA 6-9-1) – This past weekend, the Colorado College Tigers split (4-3 W – 3-5 L) their series with UND. This weekend, the Tigers entertain the Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs at the World Arena.

 10. Michigan Tech – (6-12-3, WCHA 3-10-3) – This past weekend, the Huskies were swept (0-1 L – 4-5 L) by the Bulldogs at Amsoil Arena. This weekend, the Huskies entertain the Bemidji State Beavers at John J. MacInnes Student Ice Arena.

11. Bemidji State – (5-11-4, WCHA 4-7-3) – This past weekend, the Beavers were off. This weekend, the Beavers travel to Houghton, Michigan to play the Huskies at the John J. MacInnes Student Ice Arena.

12. Alaska Anchorage – (3-13-4, WCHA 1-12-3) – This past weekend, Seawolves were swept (3-5 L – 0-1 L) by the Minnesota Gophers at Marriucci Arena. This weekend, the Seawolves entertain Minnesota State at the Sullivan Arena. The Huskies are mired in horrible streak and have won one game in the last 16 games (1-12-3).

Taylor Seibel's WCHA Power Rankings

1. Minnesota – (16-3-3, 8-3-3 WCHA) – The Gophers outclassed Notre Dame on Tuesday before sweeping Alaska Anchorage this weekend.  Minnesota is playing their best, most consistent hockey of the season (with a slight exception for Friday’s game against UAA).  Next weekend, the Gophers host North Dakota in a crucial WCHA series for both sides.

2. North Dakota – (13-6-3, 8-3-3 WCHA) – North Dakota struggled to a split this weekend against Colorado College.  A lackluster performance on Friday led Coach Hakstol to make significant changes in his lineup for Saturday.  It worked, as North Dakota squeaked by the Tigers 5-3.  Next weekend, UND travels to Mariucci to take on rival Minnesota.

3. Denver – (13-6-4, 8-4-4 WCHA) – The Pioneers played inconsistent hockey this weekend against Nebraska Omaha, but managed to walk away from the series with 3 points.  Denver now is tied with UNO with 20 points to lead the WCHA.  Next weekend, the Pioneers take on the Huskies of SCSU in St. Cloud.

4. Nebraska Omaha – (13-9-2, 9-5-2 WCHA) – The Mavericks played well enough to sweep Denver this weekend, but were only able to manage a draw on Saturday.  However, UNO still is tied with Denver for the WCHA lead with 20 points.  Next weekend, UNO is off.

5. Wisconsin – (8-7-5, 6-5-5 WCHA) – The Badgers just might be the hottest team in the WCHA right now.  Since the addition of Nic Kerdiles to the lineup, Wisconsin is 7-0-3.  This weekend, the Badgers traveled to Mankato and swept the Mavericks with 2 overtime victories…the program’s first OT victories in conference in over 6 years.  Next weekend, Wisconsin hosts Miami in a key non-conference series for the Badgers.

6. St. Cloud State – (12-10-0, 9-5-0 WCHA) – The Huskies were off this weekend, and hopefully they were able to recover and get healthy for the stretch run in WCHA play.  Currently a “bubble” team for the NCAA Tournament, the Huskies host Conference leader Denver in a key WCHA series next weekend.

7. Minnesota State – (14-8-2, 8-8-0 WCHA) – Luck was simply not on their side this weekend, as the Mavericks were swept in heartbreaking fashion by the visiting Wisconsin Badgers.  Mankato dropped both games in OT, but still look like a solid contender for home ice advantage.  Next weekend, the Mavs make the trek up north to take on the Alaska Anchorage Seawolves in WCHA play.

8. Colorado College – (9-13-2, 6-9-1 WCHA) – The Tigers finally ended their winless streak with a 4-3 victory over North Dakota in Grand Forks on Friday, and nearly pulled off another point or two on Saturday before succumbing to UND 5-3.  The Tigers are capable of making a push for home ice, but will need to keep playing hungry.  Next weekend, CC hosts Minnesota Duluth in conference action.

9. Minnesota Duluth – (9-10-3, 7-6-3 WCHA) – The Bulldogs used a key sweep over Michigan Tech this weekend to soar into the top 6 in conference play, and are amazingly only 3 points out of first place.  If Duluth can continue getting solid defense and timely scoring, they should find themselves at home for the first round of the WCHA tournament.  Next weekend, Duluth travels to WCHA foe Colorado College.

10. Michigan Tech – (6-12-3, 3-10-3 WCHA) – The Huskies’ chances of home ice took a serious hit this weekend, as they were swept by the Duluth Bulldogs.  In order to make a push for home ice in the second half, it will likely require a sweep of their home games.  Next weekend provides the Huskies their chance to get that goal started on the right foot as Tech hosts Bemidji State in conference play.

11. Bemidji State – (5-10-4, 4-7-3 WCHA) – The Beavers from Bemidji were off this weekend, and now find themselves six points out of the top 6, but with 2 games in hand on each of the four teams in front of them.  Next weekend, Bemidji travels to Houghton to take on Tech in WCHA play.

12. Alaska Anchorage – (3-13-4, 1-12-3 WCHA) – A disappointing result after a great 55 minutes of play on Friday was the beginning of a not so fun weekend for the Seawolves, as UAA was swept by Minnesota at Mariucci.  Anchorage looks to right the ship next weekend, as they host Minnesota Duluth in WCHA action.

Kizla's perspective on the UND and DU game

Where is Mike Chambers when you need him? God I love this newspaper, they sure have an interesting way of drawing up their perspective when it come to hockey games between UND and DU.

I guess Mark Kizla missed the Nick Shore spear on Carter Rowney at the end of the game and the fact that the refs lost control of this game early and were consistently poor all weekend long so I don't really think either team was worse than the other. I do hold the ref (Todd Anderson and Brad Shepherd) culpable in this situation.

Who knew Denver was a suburb of Fargo? Although the North Dakota campus in Grand Forks sits nearly 1,000 miles from center ice in Magness Arena, the Sioux Nation showed up in force, then ignored both political correctness and the polite rules of being a house guest, by chanting "Let's go Sioux!" Losing control of the game, North Dakota than lost its composure. In the third period, freshman Michael Parks went caveman, taking a swing of the forearm at DU defenseman John Ryder. Way to stay classy, North Dakota. [Denver Post]

If anything I hope the NCHC commissioner Jim Scherr was able to catch either one of both of these games and has made a mental note to not employer either referee from this series. There were four game misconduct penalties and one, the Michael Parks hit on John Ryder that was actually worthy of a five minute major and a game misconduct.

Related articles

• Kiszla: DU Pioneers get even with old rival North Dakota (denverpost.com)
• Kiszla: Pioneers get even with old rival (denverpost.com)
• Chambers; Stakes are high in University of Denver-North Dakota hockey series (ndgoon.blogspot.com)
• Focused Sioux knocks off UMD (insidehockey.com)
• Putting on the Foil - Friday Links (ndgoon.blogspot.com)
• Two UND Defenseman make HF top 10 (ndgoon.blogspot.com)