Second Half Preview (by Sioux 7)

Second Half Preview

WCHA standings

TEAM……………...W-L-T...Pts
1. North Dakota………11-3-0…22
2. Denver……………...9-3-2…20
2. Minnesota-Duluth....9-3-2…20
4. Nebraska-Omaha….9-4-1…19
5. Colorado College…..8-6-0…16
6. Minnesota…………..6-6-2…14
6. Wisconsin…………..6-6-2…14
8. Alaska-Anchorage...4-8-2…10
8. Minnesota State…...4-8-2…10
10. Bemidji State……….4-9-1…9
11. St. Cloud State….....3-8-1…7
12. Michigan Tech……..1-10-1…3


Michigan Tech
The Huskies have dug themselves a deep hole in the first (almost) half season only getting one win in twelve games. Simply put they need to score more goals in order to give themselves a chance to win some games in the second half. It’s already pretty safe to say they will be playing the role of spoiler after Christmas break.


St. Cloud St.
The Huskies will need to win all their games in January (they play MTU, BSU, and MSUM that month) if they want to make a real push for home ice. After that they have a grueling schedule, @ UNO, @ UMD, UND, UW and @ DU to wrap up the season. This team had high hopes going into this campaign and has been dismal to this point. But if they can go on a run in January, they can get back into the middle of the pack and compete for home ice.


Bemidji State
The Beavers are slowly adjusting to life in the WCHA, let’s face it, this league is a much bigger grind week in and week out than the old CHA. The Beavers played UMD tough with both games going into overtime and even swept UNO, so they are competitive, no question about that. The Beavers appear to have a relatively nice schedule in 2011 they only have to play a couple of the top teams again (UNO and UND). However, they are on the road for 4 series and host 3 series (SCSU, CC, UM) at the new Sanford Center.


Minnesota State
The Mavericks have league wins over CC, UAA, and UM(2) in the first half of the season. MSUM plays CC and UAA again in the second half too. The Mavericks need to get wins over the other teams in the bottom of the standings if they want to move up and compete for a home ice spot. In order to do that, they need to be more consistent on offense. Scoring two goals or so a game isn’t enough, they need to get to three or more to get wins. They can’t rely solely on the goal tenders to save their bacon game in and game out.


Alaska Anchorage
The Seawolves are in the same boat as the MSUM Mavericks. However, the Seawolves have a tough schedule they host CC, @ DU, @UM, MTU, @ UND, UNO, and end the season @ MSUM. The Seawolves need to keep the games low scoring affairs if they want to win, since they have had problems producing goals. If UAA can get some timely goals and solidly consistent goal tending they could be in the hunt for hosting a first round playoff series.


Wisconsin
The Badgers, ah, were to start, they have been scoring goals, but they have been giving up quite a few too. I’ve seen a few of their games this year, and if they can cut down on some of the miscues they can be right in the mix for home ice. Well, if they don’t get hosed by the refs too much in 2011 (all the UW fans remember that horrible OT “lose” to UMD). UW just needs to create its own puck luck in the second half and they should end up in the top half of the league.


Minnesota
They got talent, but they can’t seem to put it all together at the same time. It looks like everyman for himself at times, and other times they have flashes of brilliance. The Gopher fans look to have a new number one in nets now with Patterson, but who knows, Kangas could make a comeback. They open the second half with some tough opponents and end with a softer schedule. Here is a look at the Gophers second half - @ UND, UAA, @ UMD, DU, @ UW, MTU, and @ BSU to end the regular season. The Gophers still control their own fate. But, if the wheels come of the bus, they will be riding one for the first round of the playoffs.


Colorado College
The Tigers have quietly moved up the standings, all the way to fifth place, and are two games over .500 in the league. They were on a six game winning streak until the last game before break, and they were shutout in that contest. The Tigers will need to get victories over the bottom half teams in the second half to keep their distance and home ice. The Tigers have also pitched four shutout games of their own; getting goal tending like that will also help them down the home stretch. Look for the Tigers to be in control of their own destiny the second half.


Nebraska-Omaha
The Mavericks started of the season on a red hot streak, winning 8 of their first 9 games. Since then they have cooled off and have a 4-4-1 record. UNO only has to make three road trips in 2011, with trips to UND, UAA, and UMD. Those will be a big games, especially when you figure they play the Bulldogs that last weekend of the season. The Mavericks have come back down to earth after that great start and might now have some confidence issues. We’ll have to wait and see what happens in second half, and see if they can survive the grind that is the WCHA.


Denver
The Pioneers find themselves in familiar territory this time of year, in the race for the league title. They have been flying under the radar while most people have been focused on the surprising UMD Bulldogs and UNO Mavericks. DU has quietly put together a good record, with quality wins over UMD and UND on the road. The Pioneers have been getting get goal tending which helps any team out. They just have to avoid any more injuries and they should be in title race the second half.


Minnesota-Duluth
The Bulldogs lead the WCHA most of the first half and only lost the lead in the last week of play. They have played bonus hockey, overtime, in 9 out of their 18 games. UMD fans will say the team steps up in OT and gets win, doubters will say they are living dangerously. The Bulldogs need to get more scoring from more than just the top line, and need to pick up the 5x5 scoring too. If they can improve those items they can make a second half run that goes deep into the playoffs.



North Dakota
The Sioux have rattled off 4 wins in a row while missing 2/3rds of their top line, not bad. That shows that they have the depth and determination to do whatever it takes to win games. If the Sioux can avoid injuries in the second half they should be just fine. UND is off to its best first half under the helm of Coach Hakstol. If they go on their typical second half run, they could win their 15th WCHA regular season title and second under Hakstol.