This weeks match-ups (Sioux 7)

This week in the WCHA, in my opinion, is the start of the race for home ice in the first round. Lets take a look at the match-ups that have the most riding on them.

1. The "Border Battle" or The "Battle to get to .500" - Minnesota at Wisconsin

It is different this year, both teams have identical records in the WCHA, 6-8-2, and are tied for 5th place with each other and St. Cloud. Obviously getting a sweep in this series will go a long way for trying to grab that last home ice playoff spot. The trick is trying to predict the outcome, UW should have gotten 3-out-of-4 points from DU, and well UM just took 3pts from UMD... since DU has been the better team for most of the season, so I'm going with UW taking 3pts this weekend.

Odd question of the series, do Badgers hybernate over the winter? (just wondering)


2. St. Cloud vs MSU-Mankato

This too is a big series, SCSU is in that menage a trois with UM and UW. Mankato is also in the hunt, only 4pts back of the 5th place tie. If the Huskies can coral the cows for two games, it would help to keep the pack on pace for a home ice playoff spot. However, if the Mavericks can stampede the dogs, they would be tied with them for either 6th or 7th place depending on what MTU does. Since it is a what I like to call a ho-ho series (home and home), I will say each ho team will win, thus a split.


3. Colorado College at Michigan Tech

CC has a big point lead, where they are not likely to fall from the top 3 or from the top spot, but you never know... MTU has the luxury of being at home and having two games in hand on the teams right ahead of them, UM, UW, SCSU. It the Dogs can beat up the Cats for two games and get 4pts, they would have the inside track for home ice (having 2-games in hand). CC has been still playing very well, but they only beat Bemidji and Air Force by one goal each. Hmm, they could be do to be swept, plus, if I'm not mistaken, it is the Winter Carnival at MTU. Also, MTU had last week off to prepare for this series, so this is my "upset special" the Huskies will need to put down the snow shovels and pick up their brooms as they mush all over the kitty kats.


4. Ache-orage at North Dakota -- do you like the spelling :)

AA has not won a WCHA game since 12/8/07 at UMD. They did play UW tough last weekend, a 2-1 L, and a 4-4 T, not to bad. Unfortunately, it seems as if UND has gotten on its hot streak in the second half, just like the past couple of years. As the Goon stated the Sioux have won 5-games, all WCHA games, in a row now. The Seawolves are trying to dodge harpoons this year and the Sioux are hot right now, Sioux Sweep Seawolves.


Duluth is playing a pair of games at U-Mass-Lowell this weekend, and Denver has a bye week.


If there are 4 sets of sweeps this weekend it will help to clear up the play off picture. If it is splitsville, it just makes next weeks game that much more important.