Here we are spring has sprung us into the 1st round of WCHA playoffs. We have a full slate of playoff games, 5 WCHA series to play this weekend. I’ll do one more TOP TEN list to end the season.
10 – Number of teams in the league (it’ll be 12 come October)
9 – Points separated the top 5 teams
8 – Points the MTU Huskies got this season
7 – Where Minnesota has finished 2 of the last 3 seasons
6 – How many drinks I had at last Friday’s game
5 – Teams that will make it to St. Paul next weekend
4 – WCHA teams that will for sure get into the NCAA
3 – Maximum number of games in the opening playoff series
2 – Leads blown by MTU last weekend
1 – Goals UW put in their own net last weekend
FINAL 2009-2010 WCHA STANGINGS
TEAM………………......W-L-T….PTS
1 Denver--------------19-5-4….42
2 Wisconsin-----------17-8-3….37
3 St. Cloud State------15-9-4….34
4 North Dakota--------15-10-3…33
5 Minnesota-Duluth----16-11-1…33
6 Colorado College-----12-13-3…27
7 Minnesota-----------12-14-2…26
8 Minnesota State------9-17-2…20
9 Alaska-Anchorage-----9-17-2…20
10 Michigan Tech-------4-24-0….8
Michigan Tech at #1 Denver (season series DU wins 2-0-0)
Last weekend the Huskies were swept in Grand Forks by the Sioux, and the Pioneers and Tigers split their series.
The Huskies scored first in both their games last weekend, but could hold off the Sioux. The Pioneers got back on track Saturday after losing Friday to their arch-rival Tigers. These teams just played each other a couple of weeks ago (Feb 19-20), with DU sweeping that series in Denver. In theory this should be a two game sweep for DU. But, with just sweeping them it is hard to win over anybody four times in just three weeks. It wouldn’t surprise me if a game went to OT, but DU is just too much for the Huskies, especially if it was to go three games. DU in 2
Alaska-Anchorage at #3 Wisconsin (season series UW wins 2-0-0)
Last weekend the Seawolves hosted the Bulldogs and split their series, and the Badgers and Gophers split a pair in Minneapolis.
Interesting tidbit, the Badgers have not won more the three games in a row this season, and have not lost two games in a row. This time of year, you need to string together more than three wins in a row if you want to get a title. The Seawolves on the other hand have only won back to back games once, and that was against Michigan Tech. If the Badgers stay true to form, they will win on Friday, since they lost on Sunday to the Gophers (UW had already wrapped up 2nd place on Friday). But to the Seawolves credit, they have beat some good teams this year, except those wins have come in Anchorage. UAA has only made the Final 5 once, and they upset the Badgers to do it, back in 2004, but this is 2010. I’m going with UW in 2.
Minnesota State at #7 St. Cloud State (season series MSU-M wins 1-0-1)
Last weekend the Mavericks took 3-points from the SCSU Huskies, and now they meet again this weekend.
SCSU is now on a three game winless streak, and is 3-4-2 in their last 9 games, not the best way to head into the playoffs. The Huskies recent skid has cost them a number one seed in the NCAA tournament. Meanwhile, the Mavericks would like to keep spoiling the Huskies NCAA tournament seeding. With a couple more wins the Mavericks could make an appearance at the Final 5. I like it when teams play each other on back to back weekends, it really builds a rivalry. Like they say familiarity breeds contempt. With the outcome last weekend it, I’m leaning toward the Mavericks in this series. However, now SCSU has something to play for, last weekend they might have figured they had third place wrapped up and were taking the weekend off, so to speak. I’m going to take SCSU in 3.
Minnesota at #5 North Dakota (season series tied 1-1-2)
Last weekend the Gophers and Badgers split in Minnesota, and the Sioux swept the MTU Huskies in Grand Forks.
The Sioux come into the playoffs riding a season long 7 game winning streak. The Gophers come in going 5-5-0 in their last 10 games. FSN had an interesting fact, that the UM has never won a playoff game in Grand Forks, they are 0-9. The Gophers last playoff game in Grand Forks was in the NCAA West Regional where they lost to Holy Cross. The Sioux have been playing good hockey and look to keep build up momentum this weekend by extending their winning streak, and ending the Gophers season. UND is a pretty solid lock in the NCAA tourney, while the U of M needs to run the WCHA playoff table and get the auto-bid to make the NCAA tourney. The Sioux are hot right now and playing one of their rivals should give The Ralph a great playoff atmosphere. Sioux in 2.
#15 Colorado College at #14 Minnesota-Duluth (season series UMD wins 3-1-0)Last weekend the Tigers split with the Pioneers, and the Bulldogs split with the Seawolves in Alaska.
The Tigers and the Bulldogs, both started off the season hot, and now both have gone cold. CC is 1-5-0 in its last six games, and is 4-10-0 in the WCHA in 2010. The Bulldogs haven’t fared much better going 2-4-0 in their last six games. Both teams have a chance to get back on track this weekend and back into the NCAA mix. Right now these teams are mirror images of each other. Whoever wins this series will most likely be in Thursday’s play-in game in St. Paul, unless some of the top teams’ faulter. Both teams have/had good offenses, and this could be the highest scoring playoff series in the league, which should make it entertaining to watch. I’m going to go with the home team in this series. UMD in 3.
MN is 0-9 in Grand Forks, going back to 1966, in play-off hockey. They lost two in the Barn in 1966; 6 in the Winter Sports Arena(two each in years '83, '84, and '87); and 1 to Holy Cross at the REA in 2006. Since 1948 in the various arenas in El Forko Grande, ND has won 62; MN has won 53; and there were 7 ties. One of the wins was an exhibition game at the REA, Oct 5, 2001. In the last ten seasons (00/01-09/10), ND has won 8, Mn has won 7 and there were two ties. One of the MN games was the aforementioned REA exhibition game. Mn is 1-4-1 in the last six games at the REA. Damn glad this series is at the REA and not Mariucci.
ReplyDeleteI really want the Sioux to kick the Gophers ass up and down the ice.
ReplyDeleteIf the Gophers do happen to win this weekend will they have confetti and fireworks like when they opened the Ralph! :D
ReplyDeleteInteresting take there Sioux7. No upsets in the first round? I can see why when you break it down like that with all those convincing stats. Another stat I would like to throw in there: SCSU was without Raboin and Marvin last weekend, and they are absolute work horses on the penalty kill. The Mavericks scored 6 goals in two games last weekend, and 5 of those came on the power play? Coincidence? Maybe, maybe not. I could see CC upsetting UMD and Mankato upsetting SCSU, but the other 3 I just don't see happening.
ReplyDeleteFHG26 I still remember that game, It was after the Gophers 10-6 game or what ever it was and of course we are all upset because the Gophers had won the game and I can remember going out and there was a fire works display. Unbelievable! I guess UMN has a 1-4-1 record it's last 6 trips to the Ralph.
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