Weekend Match-Ups (Sioux 7)

The big shocker last weekend was the 7-3 win by UAA over DU on Saturday. The WCHA series last weekend ended in splits, except UND which swept MTU. Come Monday we'll be about 1/3 of the way through the WCHA season, it goes by so quick doesn't it.


Current WCHA Standings

TEAM.......................GP...W-L-T...Pts
1 Colorado College...........6...4-1-1...9
1 Denver......................6...4-1-1...9
1 North Dakota...............6...4-1-1...9
4 Minnesota-Duluth..........6...3-2-1...7
4 Minnesota..................8...3-4-1...7
6 St. Cloud State............4...2-1-1...5
6 Wisconsin..................6...2-3-1...5
8 Alaska-Anchorage.........6...2-4-0...4
9 Minnesota State..........6...1-4-1...3
10 Michigan Tech...........6...1-5-0...2


WCHA

#10 Colorado College at Minnesota State
Last weekend the Tigers split at home with the UMD Bulldogs, while the Mavericks enjoyed the weekend off.

The Tigers are 1-0-1 away from home, they gained those 3-points against UW to start the year (they were UW's first games, they didn't play any non-conference or exhibition before the Tigers came to Madison). It should be more challenging this time around for the Tigers, since the Mavericks have played 8 games this year. MSU-M is 3-1-0 at home this year and would are looking to run their home record to 5-1-0 this weekend. Last season, these teams split each series, both at home and away to end up going 2-2-0 in the CC-MSUM series. The Tigers got some "gimme" points early this season, but now playing a more "seasoned" team we'll see if they are as good as their record indicates. The Mavericks have played some pretty good teams to start the season, and have gotten some points, look for that trend to continue. SPLIT.


St. Cloud State at #2 North Dakota
Last weekend the SCSU Huskies where resting up on a bye week and the Sioux swept the MTU Huskies in Houghton.

Last season UND won the 4-game series against their "natural rival" SCSU 3-1-0. The Huskies have played the fewest WCHA games this season at four, while most have played six games (UM eight). SCSU is 1-3-0 on the road this season, with a win and loss at MTU, and a pair of loses at Miami(Ohio). The Sioux are playing well right now and all the lines are producing points. SCSU has their top line of Lasch and Roe (who is sitting out Friday for a team rule violation), and then it drops off significantly from there. The Huskies gave the RedHawks (Miami) a run for their money a few weeks ago, so we know they can play with the top teams. However, SCSU has never really gotten over the hump, so to speak, and turned into a top NCAA contender. I have to go with my favorite team, who are rolling right along (before the Christmas break this season) SIOUX SWEEP.


Alaska-Anchorage at Wisconsin
The Seawolves and the Badgers both had home series splits, with DU and UM respectively.

How about them Seawolves, they now have a home over UND (2-1) and a home butt-kicking of DU (7-3) this season. It looks like MTU might have stolen UAA's doormat for their own use this season. But, the Seawolves have not won a game on the road this season, and they travel to Madison for these tilts. The Badgers are 3-2-1 at the Kohl Center this year. The Badgers really dominated the Gophers last weekend (I watched both games) especially on Saturday night, but the Gophers capitalized on 2 of their first 3 shots, and held on from there. If the Seawolves want to get more respect, and start moving up the WCHA standings they need to get road wins. UW is only 1 point ahead of UAA and Bucky would sure like to get a home sweep and put some distance between them and bottom of the standings. The Seawolves should have plenty of confidence, now that they have a couple of quality wins under their collective belt. Look for UAA and UW to both play strong defensively this series, which should lead to some close low scoring games. Of course, they could prove me wrong and light up the scoreboard like a Christmas tree this weekend. SPLIT.



Michigan Tech at #18 Minnesota-Duluth
The Husky Dogs got swept at home by the Sioux and the Bully Dogs split on the road with the Tigers.

The Bulldogs will be looking to get some more points this weekend, before they hit the tough part of their schedule. After MTU, the Bulldogs play at the U-of-M, and then host UND, & DU after that, not exactly easy. The Huskies, need points, if they don't get any in Duluth this weekend, I'm going to say the stay in the doghouse all season long, and own the 10 spot. This is first of 6 straight road games for MTU, after Duluth the Huskies travel to Mankato and Madison. MTU has 0-2-0 a road record (both losses at CC) to start they year. The Huskies have given up 30 goals in 8 games this season, that's a 3.75 GAA, and they have scored 19 goals for a 2.375 GFA. UMD has scored 32 and given up 29 goals in 10 games this year, pretty even, just like their record. MTU has to hold their opponents to under two goals a game if they want a chance to win. In this dog fight, I'm going with a BULLDOG SWEEP.


NON-CONFERENCE

#7 Bemidji State (7-0-1 overall) at Minnesota (3-4-1 overall) (Sat-Sun Series)
Last weekend the Beavers from BSU swept Robert Morris U. and the Gophers split with the Badgers in Madison.

The Gophers have won 3 of their last 4 games, but UM was out-shot in 2 of their 3wins. The Beavers come in averaging over 4 goals/game. In past season's BSU has played well against WCHA teams and next year they will be a new member in the league. This will be a good test for both teams, to see if BSU is deserving of there #7 ranking and if UM is going to live up to their preseason predictions, or slip into mediocrity. In this battle of the rodents, I'm going to call a SPLIT.


BYE WEEK - OFF
#4 Denver University