We have 5 league series lined up this weekend again. Interesting fact - there was not a single sweep last weekend in the 6 WCHA series last weekend. The top 4 teams are separated by only 3 points. Also 5th place thru 11th place is only separated by all 5 points. It looks like the last home ice playoff spot will come down to the last weekend of play, the way things are going. It looks like the top four teams this week will be the top four teams come playoff time. Most teams only have 4 WCHA games left (UAA and MSUM only have 2). The standings show the top 4 have distanced themselves from the middle of the pack, and it is very unlikely that they will be caught. Interesting fact, both UND and CC go their first league tied games last Friday night. If UND sweeps, UNO-DU split, and UMD gets no more than 3-points, the Sioux will claim a share of the MacNaughton Cup this weekend.
Remember, I’ve changing my rankings; I was using the USCHO poll, but changed to the PairWise Rankings. Since the PairWise mimic who is selected to the NCAA tourney.
WCHA Standings
TEAM……………..…....W-L-T...Pts
1. North Dakota……….17-6-1…35
2. Denver………………15-6-3…33
3. Minnesota-Duluth.....14-6-4…32
3. Nebraska-Omaha…..15-7-2…32
5. Wisconsin……….…11-10-2…25
6. Minnesota……..…..10-10-4…24
6. Colorado College…11-12-1…24
8. Alaska-Anchorage…10-14-2…22
9. Bemidji State…….….8-12-4…20
9. St. Cloud State…......8-12-4…20
9. Minnesota State…….8-14-4…20
12. Michigan Tech………2-20-2…6
WCHA
Michigan Tech @ #18 Minnesota
Last weekend the Huskies split with the DU Pioneers in Denver and Gophers took 3-points from the UW Badgers in Madison.
Can we say MTU is making waves, late in the season? They have gotten a win and a tie over their last two WCHA series, doubling their point total. Have the Gophers finally hit their stride this season? They are 2-1-1 in their last 4 league games, and those are teams that are higher in the standings. Three weeks ago I would have said the Gophers should sweep MTU, but now I’m not sure. The Huskies should be gaining some confidence now with some success, as should the Gophers. The Maroon & Gold faithful better hope they don’t have a letdown after their big UW road series. The Gophers now control their own fate, win out and they get home ice. The Huskies can put a kink into the Goldy’s hopes if they can pull a point or two out of Mariucci. The Gophers are 7-8-1 at home this season, and without a sweep they will not have winning home record in the regular season. GOPHERS 3-POINTS
#4 Denver @ #8 Nebraska-Omaha
Last weekend Pioneers split with the MTU Huskies in Denver and the Mavericks split with the UAA Seawolves in Anchorage.
This should be the “premier series in the WCHA” this weekend. Both the Pioneers and Mavericks suffered minor setbacks last weekend. This is a very important series for both teams; DU and UNO both have a chance to win the league. Both have secured home ice, so that isn’t an issue, but the PairWise ratings are. The Mavericks have a sparkling 12-3-1 record at the Qwest Center this season and the Pioneers have a decent road record of 6-5-3. The Pioneers are 2nd in league scoring with 82-goals and the Mavericks are 3rd with 81-goals. Denver has played the Mavericks a few times with DU holding a 7-2-0 all-time mark versus UNO. It wouldn’t surprise me if we saw a couple of shoot-outs in Omaha’s barn this weekend. SPLIT
Bemidji State @ #2 North Dakota (Sat. & Sun. @ 3:37pm)
Last weekend the Beavers took 3-points from the CC Tigers in Bemidji and the Sioux took 3-points from the SCSU Huskies in St. Cloud.
BSU opened their WCHA schedule by hosting the Sioux at their new arena, back in October. The Sioux spoiled their opening by sweeping the Beavers in a pair of 5-2 games. The Beavers still have an outside chance at home ice, but the need points and lots of help to get there. UND is looking to put a strangle hold on first place this weekend with getting a home sweep. UND is averaging 3.54goals/game in the WCHA and BSU is at 2.25goals/game. The Sioux lead the WCHA in goals scored at 85 and fewest surrendered at 56. Not too often does a team lead in both categories, this late in the season. It is senior weekend at Grand Forks, since it is the last regular season home games. No doubt, that the 7 seniors on the team will want to go out with a sweep, and the rest of the team wants to see that too. If the Sioux continue their consistent play, I see them taking care of business this weekend. SIOUX SWEEP.
#14 Wisconsin @ St. Cloud St.
Last weekend the Tigers split with the MSUM Mavericks in Colorado Springs and the Beavers took 3-points for the MTU Huskies in Houghton.
Two weeks ago the Badgers looked to have a lock on a home ice spot. But getting only one point in their last four games has hurt them badly, not only in the WCHA standings but the PairWise too. The Huskies have played well as of late going 1-1-2 against UMD and UND the past two weekends. SCSU can continue their climb and sink the Badgers this weekend, if, they can pull off a sweep at the National Hockey Center. It appears these teams are heading in opposite directions now, SCSU going up, UW going down. The Badgers are 5-5-2 away from home this year and the Huskies are a dismal 4-8-4 at home. The Badger’s can ill afford to get swept this weekend. If that happens the Kohl Center might see a protest or two, just like the Wisconsin capitol building. It appears that both teams might be circling the panic button. SCSU has nothing to lose, and UW is getting desperate, so this series could have some good action. SPLIT
#7 Minnesota-Duluth @ #19 Colorado College
Last weekend the Bulldogs split with the MSUM Mavericks in Mankato and the Tigers got 1-point from the BSU Beavers in Bemidji.
The Bulldogs still have a shot at the title, and are pretty much locked into home ice. The Tiger lose the tie-breaker to the Gophers for 6th place currently, so they need points to try and grab a home ice spot. The Bulldogs are an impressive 10-3-1 away from Duluth and the Tigers are 9-7-1 at World Arena this season. UMD has slipped a little going 1-2-1 in their last 4 games, all against lower half teams. The Tigers will need sink their teeth into this series and claw their way back into the top half of the league. If CC contains the “law firm of Connelly, Connelly, & Fontaine” they should be able to get some points. SPLIT
Governor’s Cup
Alaska-Anchorage (11-16-3) vs Alaska (13-14-5 overall)
Last weekend the Seawolves split with the UNO Mavericks in Anchorage and the Nanooks split with the Michigan State Spartans in Fairbanks.
In any case, if you’re wondering the current governor of Alaska is Sean Parnell. This is a home and home series, at Fairbanks Friday and Anchorage on Saturday. I was in Anchorage to kick of the season at the Kendall Classic back in October. Back then I saw UAF play a couple of games, they didn’t look to bad, but that was 4 months ago. I just saw UAA two weeks ago in Grand Forks; they looked a bit slow compared to the Sioux. I have to go with the Seawolves in this series, just because I loved the city of Anchorage, when I was there. SEAWOLVES SWEEP
BYE WEEK
Minnesota State University Mankato – Mavericks
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