And they’re off. Last weekend officially opened the WCHA regular season. Granted it was only 3 league series and wasn’t a full set of 6 series. Both new teams, the Beavers of BSU, and the Mavericks of UNO, have their first WCHA series in the books. The Beavers also got to open up a new arena, the BREC (Bemidji Regional Events Center), unfortunately for them they lost the opener and the follow game. UNO on the other hand, went on the road and got a pair of wins to start their WCHA career.
WCHA standings
TEAM……………......W-L-T...Pts
Nebraska-Omaha…2-0-0…4
North Dakota………2-0-0…4
Michigan Tech……..1-0-1…3
Minnesota State…...0-1-1…1
Alaska-Anchorage...0-0-0…0
Colorado College…..0-0-0…0
Denver……………......0-0-0…0
Minnesota-Duluth....0-0-0…0
St. Cloud State….....0-0-0…0
Wisconsin…………..0-0-0…0
Bemidji State……….0-2-0…0
Minnesota…………..0-2-0…0
WCHA
#15 Wisconsin @ #11 Denver
Last weekend the Badgers swept Alabama-Huntsville in Madison, and the Pioneers got swept by Boston College in Denver.
This should be a good series to watch, DU has gotten the best UW in Madison, but now this year it’s in Denver. The Pioneers had a much tougher opponent last week in BC then the Badgers had in the Alabama-Huntsville Chargers. Both teams lost some great players after last season. I think both teams are just getting their new players up to speed and getting some cohesion between line mates. I’m going to call this series a SPLIT.
#19 Colorado College @ Minnesota State
Last weekend the Tigers beat UAA and lost to UAF at the Alaska Gold Rush tournament and the Mavericks got one point out of the MTU Huskies in Houghton.
The Tigers are on another “road trip” this weekend after the long trip to Alaska last weekend. The Mavericks are at home after a long trip to Houghton. I’m thinking the Tigers will be a little tired from traveling, and the Mavericks will be happy to be back in Mankato. SPLIT.
Alaska-Anchorage @ #6 Minnesota-Duluth
Last weekend the Seawolves lost to the CC Tigers and the Union Dutchmen in the Alaska Gold Rush tournament and the Bulldogs swept the Providence Friars in Duluth.
I saw the Seawolves in action two weeks ago in Anchorage and they played okay, not great but not horrible either. The Bulldogs are sporting a high ranking early this year, but is it the same or similar team as last year? Good offense, not much defense? If UAA can limit the quality scoring chances, they have a chance to win games. The season is just getting start, so, of course, it is tricky to pick series. SPLIT.
#14 St. Cloud St. @ #20 Minnesota (Friday & Sunday)
Last weekend the Huskies lost and tied the Miami (Ohio) RedHawks in St. Cloud and the Gophers where swept by the UNO Mavericks in Minneapolis.
This has been great series to watch the last couple of years, there have been some real goal-fests between these two schools. I watched the Gophers on TV last weekend, and well they made good comeback attempts. The fans in Minneapolis need their team to play 60 minutes instead of just the last 20-30 minutes. Both teams have talent, but the team whose talent shows up and plays sixty minutes will win the game(s). SPLIT.
Non-Conference
#10 Nebraska-Omaha @ #4 Michigan
Last weekend the Mavericks swept the Gophers in Minneapolis and the Wolverines tied the New Hampshire Wildcats (only played one game).
Last year this was CCHA conference game, now it is a non-conference match-up. Since these teams are familiar with one another, it should be a good series, plus they are both in the top ten rankings. SPLIT.
#2 North Dakota @ #12 Maine
Last weekend the Fighting Sioux swept the BSU Beavers in Bemidji and the Black Bears of Maine tied and lost to the Michigan State Spartans in Michigan.
The Sioux are 11-6-1 all-time against the Maine Black Bears. This will the third weekend in a row that UND is on the road. If they can take a win or two back from Orono, the Sioux will be in great shape for the rest of season. They have back-to-back road series in mid-November (@ UW, @UNO) and after that; the Sioux have no more back-to-back road series. It is a little different with the Sioux getting off to fast start, under Hakstol it has generally been slow starts, and then after Christmas the team goes on a tear. I like the Sioux to continue on their winning ways. SIOUX Win/Tie
BYE week
Bemidji State University Beavers
Michigan Technological University Huskies
