Weekend Tilts (Sioux 7)

Last weekend saw the WCHA standings get a little tighter in the top half, with now only 3-points separating 1st from 5th. Depending on this weekends out comes their could be more separation among the top 5 OR some teams might move up on their tales...


WCHA STANDINGS
1 Denver............11-4-1...23
2 Wisconsin.........10-6-2...22
3 Minnesota..........9-4-3...21
4 North Dakota.......9-5-2...20
4 Colorado College...9-7-2...20
6 Minnesota State....7-9-2...16
7 Minnesota-Duluth...5-6-5...15
8 St. Cloud State....7-9-0...14
9 Alaska-Anchorage...5-9-2...12
10 Michigan Tech.....1-14-3...5


Lets take a look at this weekends match ups. We will start from the bottom and work our way up.


Michigan Tech at Alaska-Anchorage
When looking at the standings we have the bottom 2 teams here. A pair of wins UAA puts themselves in a position to make a run at the top 5. A pair of losses by the Huskies and they pretty much secure the bottom rung on the ladder. These teams split their series earlier this season in Houghton. MTU has had some problems scoring goals this season, they have been shut-out in 7-games, while UAA has not been shut-out this year. I don't think either of these teams wants to be last, so I going to call this one a SPLIT.


St. Cloud State at #13 Colorado College
CC has not sweep an opponent since MTU back in October, in the goal department CC has scored 48 goals and given up 51 in league play. SCSU has been more the sweep and get swept type of team this season, they have scored 49 goals and given up 52.
Looking at those numbers and their records, SCSU is just one sweep away from getting both clubs to the .500 mark,. But remember the Huskies have 2-games in hand on CC. The other thing is, SCSU is 2-6-0 on the road and CC is 9-3-2 at home overall. I'm calling this classic cat vs. dog series as a SPLIT.


Minnesota State at #17 Minnesota-Duluth
The Mavericks can't be happy, they are ahead of UMD in the standing, but UMD is ranked and they are not. Duluth has been suprising good at home this year, with a record of 7-1-3. The Mavericks have been a good road team this year, posting a 5-4-3record away from the Alltell Center. Both teams are on the edge of getting into the top 5 for home ice. I don't see either of these teams getting swept this weekend, another SPLIT.


#4 Denver at #15 North Dakota
It has been good start to the second half for the Sioux again, who are 5-0-1 since the start of 2009, and DU is 2-1-1 in that time. DU is averaging 3.65 gf and 2.21 gaa, while UND has 3.46 gf and 2.77 gaa. Those numbers favor DU, but DU is coming off a bye, which might make a difference, also DU is with out one of their top players, Tyler Bozak (knee surgery). I'm thinking this going to be fun to watch these teams battle it out for the top spot in the WCHA. I'm going with the theme of the week, SPLIT.


#6 Minnesota and #16 Wisconsin are off this week.