Here we are mid-January, the dead of winter, but it’s the heart of college hockey season. Everyone has now played 14 league games that means we are half way done with this season. Well let’s get down to business.
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. St. Cloud State….....5-8-1…11
9. Alaska-Anchorage...4-8-2…10
9. Minnesota State…...4-8-2…10
11. Bemidji State……….4-9-1…9
12. Michigan Tech……..1-12-1…3
WCHA
#6 Denver @ Minnesota State
Last weekend the Mavericks swept American International in Mankato and the Pioneers enjoyed a free weekend.
This will be the first and only meeting between these two teams this year. The Pioneers are on a roll, they are 9-1-2 in their last 11 games, and the lone loss was to UMD. The Mavericks are heating up too, they are riding a 4 game winning streak, and are 8-2-0 in their last 10 games with both losses coming at the hands of UND. MSUM might have an advantage on Friday, being they played last weekend and DU did not. These teams have had some wild games in past seasons and I would like to see some more of them. This time of year points are becoming a valuable commodity, for DU they are in the title hunt and MSUM is in a race for home playoff ice. I’m going with the Mavericks on Friday night and the Pioneers on Saturday. SPLIT
Bemidji State @ #11 Nebraska-Omaha
Last weekend the Beavers split with Alabama-Huntsville and the UNO Mavericks enjoyed a weekend off.
Back in early December these teams played a series in Bemidji with the Beavers coming out on top with a sweep. I’m sure the Mavericks want to return the favor this week. BSU got off to a slow start this season, but have been picking up steam (6-3-0 in their last 9 games) as they have progressed through the WCHA season. UNO got off to a blistering start (8-1-1) to the season and has cooled down of late going 3-5-0 in their last 8 games. The Beavers in the midst of playing 10 out of 14 games on the road, ouch, maybe. BSU can start to be road-warriors with picking up some points this weekend. UNO needs points too, if they are to keep pace with the other top teams, considering they play at UND next week. The Mavericks will need to shake the rust off quickly to get some wins, but that is easier said than done. SPLIT.
Minnesota @ #2 North Dakota
Last weekend the Gophers beat the USA Under-18 team and the Sioux (well that’s what we still get to call them for at least another few months) swept Robert Morris in Grand Forks.
The Gophers are struggling this season, owning an even record in league play to this point. The GoGo’s are 2-4-2 in their last 8 games, however the wins came at the expense of Michigan and UMD, both ranked in the top ten. The last few trips to Grand Forks for Minnesota have been, well, let’s just say it has not been good for them. The Sioux have been on a steady boil the first half and are currently on a 7 game winning and 9 game unbeaten streaks. The Sioux have been stingy on defense allowing only one goal in the past three games. UND’s stiff defense coupled with the Gophers offensive inconsistencies could spell trouble for the Mariucci-land fans. However, this is a big rivalry for both teams, so I would expect the GoGo’s to be up for this series… should? In the end, I think the Sioux are playing too well for the Gophers to handle them right now. SIOUX SWEEP
#9 Wisconsin @ #5 Minnesota-Duluth
Last weekend the Badgers swept Canisius in Madison and the Bulldogs beat the USA Under-18 team.
These teams met in Madison back in mid-November with UMD winning both games in overtime. Those of you may remember that the refs blew one of those games in OT. The buffoons (as Goon so lovingly calls them) messed up again, when they didn’t call a hooking penalty on UMD that directly resulted in them scoring the overtime winner. The Bulldogs have cooled their heels going 3-3-1 in their last 7 games. Meanwhile the Badgers have been heating up, they are riding a 7 game winning streak. This should be one of the hotly contested series of the week. UW is looking to climb up the standing and try and put some space between them and the rest of the WCHA middle pack. UMD is in their own dog fight, only two points out of first and tied with DU for second. SPLIT.
#17 Colorado College @ Alaska Anchorage
Both teams were on bye-weeks last weekend. The Seawolves last played games back on December 10-11 when they hosted DU in Anchorage (UAA lost Friday and tied Saturday). The Tigers last played December 29-30 against Michigan State and Michigan at the Great Lakes Invitational (they beat MSU and lost to UM).
The Tigers have been quietly playing good hockey, sitting in fifth place, since they are not in the thick of the McNaughton cup race, they are not really on anyone’s radar, in my opinion. The Seawolves find themselves still in the race for a home ice playoff spot. It currently looks like an even record could net a team a home ice series. Back in October the Tigers defeated the Seawolves in a non-conference game during the Alaska Gold Rush Tournament. It is always a long trip up to the great state of Alaska, which can affect a team. SPLIT
NON-CONFERENCE
St. Lawrence (6-10-3 overall) @ Michigan Tech (3-15-2 overall)
Last weekend the MTU Huskies were swept by the SCSU Huskies in St. Cloud.
Let’s give everyone a little background on St. Lawrence. The university was founded in 1856 in Canton, NY, the enrollment is about 2,000, colors are scarlet and brown, and they are coached by Joe Marsh (he has been their coach for 26 seasons).
I always like to pick WCHA teams to win non-conference games because it is good for everyone in the WCHA. I just hope Tech can make us all proud this weekend and get a win or two. (We all need to cheer for MTU this weekend) HUSKIES SWEEP
BYE Week
St. Cloud St.
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