There was a full stale of WCHA series last weekend and we have a full slate again this weekend. The biggest surprise last weekend, in my book, was the Beavers sweeping the UNO Mavericks in Bemidji. Another surprise was the MSU Mavericks sweeping the visiting Gophers. MSUM made the most of coming home after not playing in front of the home town crowd since Oct. 23rd. The middle of the standings is jam packed this week, with only 2 points separating 5th from 10th place. A sweep by any of those teams this weekend would help them in the race for home ice after Christmas break.
There is only one WCHA series next week, so how about a Top Twelve list this week?
12. The number of drinks I had last Friday night :)
11. Years since the league last expanded (MSUM in 99-00)
10. Number of sub-par refs in the league
9. The number of wins both UMD and UND
8. Number of losses MTU has in the WCHA season
7. Number of NCAA titles North Dakota and Denver each have
6. Is how many teams will be in St. Paul come March 17th 2011
6. The number of tie games this season in the WCHA
4. WCHA teams in the USCHO top ten poll
3. Points is all MTU has this season
2. “Number 2” is often associated with refereeing in this league
1. Where UMD is sitting in this week’s WCHA standings
WCHA standings
TEAM……………...W-L-T...Pts
1. Minnesota-Duluth....9-2-1…19
2. North Dakota………9-3-0…18
3. Denver……………...8-3-1…17
4. Nebraska-Omaha…6-3-1…13
5. Minnesota…………..5-6-1…11
6. Colorado College…..5-5-0…10
6. Minnesota State…...4-6-2…10
6. Wisconsin…………..4-6-2…10
9. Alaska-Anchorage...4-7-1…9
9. Bemidji State……….4-7-1…9
11. St. Cloud State….....3-6-1…7
12. Michigan Tech……..1-8-1…3
WCHA
#9 Denver @ Alaska Anchorage
Last weekend the Pioneers split with the Bulldogs in Duluth and the Seawolves split with Wisconsin in Anchorage.
The Pioneers have a 3-3-1 record on the road this year and the Seawolves have a 3-3-2 record at home in the Sullivan Arena. The Seawolves have had problems scoring goals this season they have only netted 24 goals in 12 WCHA games, or 2.0 goals per game. The Pioneers just need to play solid defense and limit UAA’s chances and they should come out of Alaska with some points. The Seawolves have to find ways to score when they get the opportunity, if they want to stay in the middle of the pack. UAA always plays well at home and it’s a long trip for visiting teams.
SPLIT
Bemidji State @ #16 Wisconsin
Last weekend the Beavers swept the UNO Mavericks in Bemidji and the Badgers split with the Seawolves in Anchorage.
These teams are only separated by one point in the standings and both are on the wrong side of five hundred. The Beavers should have plenty of confidence heading into the weekend after their surprising wins over UNO, I just hope they aren’t over-confident. The Beavers only have one road win and that was over SCSU in overtime. The Badgers need to get some home wins, one for the points and two for their fans. After this series, UW only has 3 (MSUM, UM, CC) more WCHA home series (which are after Christmas break).
BADGERS 3-pts
Colorado College @ St. Cloud State
Last weekend the Tigers swept the MTU Huskies in Houghton and the SCSU Huskies were swept by the Sioux in Grand Forks.
Last year when these two played in Colorado Springs they split SCSU won 5-4 and then CC won 6-4. I hope this year there are many goals scored, why, because they are fun and exciting games to watch. The Huskies are getting in desperate need of points, if they want to keep in the race for home ice come March. The Tigers are right in the thick of things, in the standings, with points and they have two games in hand on the other teams around them. The Huskies need to find some ways of generating more offense, and if they can do that they should win some more games and start climbing the standings.
SPLIT
Michigan Tech @ #10 Nebraska-Omaha (Thursday/Friday)
Last weekend the Huskies were swept by the Tigers in Houghton and the Mavericks were swept by the Beavers in Bemidji.
Is their trouble in Omaha, has their luck run out, was it too good to be true? The Mavericks have lost 3 of their last 4 games. The good news is they are playing the worst team in the league; it looks like their luck may have already returned. UNO needs to put goals on the scoreboard this weekend since they only have 2 in their last 3 games. The Huskies have given up a league high 47 goals in 10 games, you do the math for goals against average. Sorry Tech fans but it looks like your beloved Huskies will remain in the basement over the Christmas break.
MAVERICKS Sweep
#2 Minnesota-Duluth @ Minnesota
Last weekend the Bulldogs split with the Pioneers in Duluth and the Gophers were sweep by the MSU-Mavericks in Mankato.
The Gophers need to get off to a good start in these games if they want to win, that means they can’t afford to spot the Bulldogs a two or three goal lead in the first period. If the Gophers can do that, they should be able to compete and maybe beat the Bulldogs. For the visiting Bulldogs, they want just the opposite, get a few quick goals get the crowd out of it, and put it on cruise control. These are last games for the Gophers before Christmas they don’t play again until New Years Eve, after these games. That said they need some points to solidify their place in the standings before Christmas. The Gophers need to play good defense and get some timely saves this weekend for them to get a home win or two.
SPLIT
#5 North Dakota @ Minnesota State
Last weekend the Sioux swept the SCSU Huskies in Grand Forks and Mavericks swept the Gophers in Mankato.
The Mavericks have an overall home record at 3-1-2 and the Sioux are good on the road, 5-3-1 overall (2 loses at Maine). However, records don’t always tell you the whole story. The Sioux got their first home sweep of the season last weekend, while missing 2/3 of their top line. UND has typically had slow starts to the season under coach Hakstol, but not this year. And if they go on a second half run, which has been the norm the past few years, they could win the WCHA’s MacNaughton Cup come March. The Sioux need to play their game this weekend, solid defense, puck control, and good passing, if they want to continue their winning ways. The Mavericks need their goalie to have another spectacular weekend, if they want to win. They also need to generate some offensive chances, since UND is leading the league in goals allowed.
SIOUX 3-pts
