Here we are, the last weekend of the WCHA regular season. Either the Bulldogs or the Gophers will be crowned the 2011-12 MacNaughton Cup champions. The other interesting contests are for spots 5-8, with those teams currently separated by two points. Here is what we do know is for sure, the top three teams have secured home ice and the bottom four teams will be on the road next weekend. So there are five teams trying to secure a top six finish.
WCHA STANDINGS
Team…………………...……W-L-T………Points
1. Minnesota……………….19-7-0…..……38
2. Minnesota-Duluth……16-6-4….…….36
3. Denver…………..……..…14-8-4………..32
4. North Dakota.……….….14-11-1….……29
5. Colorado College ……..13-12-1……….27
5. Nebraska-Omaha……..11-10-5……....27
7. Michigan Tech……….….11-11-4………26
8. St. Cloud St……………. 11-12-3……….25
9. Wisconsin…....……….10-14-2…..……22
10. Bemidji State…..…….9-14-3…….….21
11. Minnesota State………8-16-2………..18
12. Alaska-Anchorage…...5-20-1………..11
WCHA Games (#’s are current Pair Wise Rankings)
Michigan Tech @ #21 Colorado College
Last weekend the Huskies split with the SCSU Huskies in Houghton and the Tigers were swept by the Bulldogs in Duluth.
This is a big series this weekend. Only one point separates these teams, with that one point being the difference for hosting a first round playoff series or hitting the road next weekend. It is possible that these teams could be playing each other again next weekend too. The Tigers are reeling right now, only winning once in their last seven games, going 1-5-1. The Huskies have also been sliding, they too have only one win in their last six games, going 1-3-2. CC has been good at World Arena this season sporting a 9-5-2 record at home. The Huskies have been okay on away from Houghton going 5-8-2 on the road this season. Both need points this weekend to try and secure home ice. SPLIT
#1 Minnesota-Duluth @ St. Cloud State
Last weekend the SCSU Huskies spilt with the MTU Huskies in Houghton and the Bulldogs swept the Tigers in Duluth.
The Bulldogs are on a five game unbeaten streak with four wins and a tie. SCSU has come on strong going 4-2-0 in their last six, giving them a shot at hosting games next weekend. The Huskies still have an outside chance at home ice in the first round but need some help. The Bulldogs have been outstanding on the road this season, going 10-2-4 away from Duluth. UMD can finish either first or second in the league, and SCSU can finish anywhere between fifth and tenth. Realistically it looks like the Huskies with either end up seventh or eighth place. UMD needs a sweep to keep the pressure on UM, and increase the Bulldogs chances of clinching the league title. BULLDOGS 3-pts
Bemidji State @ Alaska-Anchorage
Last weekend the Beavers were swept by the Badgers in Bemidji and the Seawolves split with their in-state rivals Alaska in a home-and-home series.
Both teams are locked into the bottom half of the standings and will be on the road next weekend (UAA is locked into last place). The Beavers have been slumping, and are currently on a four game losing streak. BSU only scored five goals over their last four games that has to increase if they want to leave Alaska with some points. The Seawolves are 2-2-0 in their last four games. SPLIT
Minnesota State @ #14 North Dakota
Last weekend the Mavericks were resting up in Mankato and the Sioux split with the Pioneers in Denver.
The Mavericks are 4-2-1 in their last seven contests, with wins over BSU, MTU, and UAA. MSUM is 6-10-0 away from the Verizon Wireless center in Mankato. The Sioux (I think I can still use that name, but I’m not sure…) are 6-2-1 in their last nine outings and are 12-4-3 at home in Grand Forks. UND can lock up home ice with a win on Friday night. The Mavericks need to shake of the rust from the bye week early or this could be bad weekend for them. UND needs to stay out of the penalty box, if they want to get a win or two this weekend. If the Sioux can avoid bad penalties they should be able to host some games at home next weekend. SIOUX SWEEP
Wisconsin @ #7 Minnesota
Last weekend Badgers swept the Beavers in Bemidji and the Gophers swept the UNO Mavericks in Omaha.
The border battle is revived. The Badgers will be looking to spoil the Gophers chances of winning the league title. Back in November these teams split their series in Madison, with UW winning Friday 4-1 and UM winning Saturday 4-1. The Badgers are starting a streak; they have won three in a row, after losing the previous five games. The Gophers are on a four game win streak and have won seven of their last ten. The Badgers need to score first in these games, to get the crowd out of the game. The Gophers only need two points to secure a share of the MacNaughton Cup. I don’t see the Badgers sweeping the Gophers this weekend, but I don’t see UW phoning it in either. SPLIT
#11 Denver @ Nebraska-Omaha
Last weekend the Mavericks were swept by the Gophers in Omaha and the Pioneers split with the Sioux in Denver.
The Pioneers have locked themselves into home ice next weekend and the Mavericks are looking to do the same this final weekend. UNO can finish anywhere from fourth to eighth place, but most likely to either be fifth or sixth. If DU wins Friday night they will lock up third place and could rest people on Saturday, with nothing to play for, other than pairwise rankings. The Mavericks will be playing hard on Friday night too, wanting to stay in control of their own destiny for home ice. SPLIT
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