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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
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 12th
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
