It’s funny that the season is just underway and it is only two until thanksgiving. Where does the time go? Looking at the standings there are teams that appear to be top half teams and other that will be bottom half teams. There are teams that have played 4 more games than others, so that has to be factored into account. MTU started with a split with UM and has gotten swept the last four games, ouch, they need to get back on track in Houghton. UAA and UMD are hoping to avoid the same early season fate of MTU, by getting some points this weekend.
WCHA STANDINGS 2012-2013
Team………………………W-L-T………Points
1. Denver…………..………3-1-0………...6
1. St. Cloud St………….…3-1-0…………6
3. Nebraska-Omaha………2-1-1……......5
4. Colorado College ……..2-0-0..….…….4
4. Minnesota………………2-2-0…………4
6. Bemidji State……..…….1-0-1.……......3
6. North Dakota.………..…1-0-1….……..3
6. Wisconsin…....…………1-2-1...……....3
6. Michigan Tech………….1-5-0…………2
10. Minnesota State………1-3-0….……..2
11. Alaska-Anchorage…....0-1-1……..….1
11. Minnesota-Duluth….….0-1-1…..…….1
WCHA Games
Bemidji St. @ #19 Colorado College
Last weekend the Beavers enjoyed a weekend off and the Tigers swept the Badgers in Madison.
We two of the three teams who haven’t lost a WCHA game in this series. Looking at the overall numbers this season give us a little insight, CC scored 27 and given up 22 goals over 8 games, and the Beavers scored 11 and given up 7 over 4 games. The Tigers play on their oversized sheet of ice, at World Arena, and we all know that with all that extra ice it is harder to check players. The Tigers will have the home ice advantage in this series, but the Beavers know how to play defense and frustrate teams. Tigers 3-pts
#3 Denver @ Minnesota State
Last weekend the Pioneers spilt with the SCSU Huskies in Denver and the Mavericks split with the Gophers.
The Pioneers got blanked last Friday, but rebounded nicely on Saturday for a split. The Mavericks are undefeated at the Verizon Wireless Center in Mankato this year, 2-0-1. The Pioneers play on a standard ice sheet, and MSUM plays on the oversized Olympic sheet, so DU might have some adjustments to deal with. Also the Pioneers play their arch-rivals next week, the CC Tigers, so they cannot afford to look past this weekend. Also this will be DU’s first games away from home this season. The Mavericks have to build up their confidence after last weekend’s play against a top team in Gophers. I’m going with the Mavericks Friday and the Pioneers Saturday. SPLIT
#6 North Dakota @ #15 St. Could St.
Last weekend NoDak split with the BU Terriers in Grand Forks and the Huskies split with the Pioneers in Denver.
The Huskies are a perfect 4-0-0 at the National Hockey Center this young season, and NoDak is 0-1 on the road this year. SCSU has given up 20 goals in 8 games, or 2.5/game, UND has given up 12 goals in 6 games, or 2.0/game. Which leads to the old quote, defense wins games, offense sells tickets. Last year these teams split both series, each going 2-2-0, with splits at both rinks, with SCSU winning on Friday’s and UND winning on the Saturday’s. At the moment, I don’t see why the trend should change this weekend. SPLIT
#2 Minnesota @ Alaska-Anchorage
Last weekend the Gophers split with the SCSU Huskies in Minneapolis and the Seawolves had a free weekend in Anchorage.
The Gophers make the long flight to Anchorage this weekend to play the Seawolves. Last year, in October, when the UM went to UAA the Gophers swept them. This year the Gophers are 1-2-0 away from Minneapolis and the Seawolves are 1-0-1 in Anchorage this season. I’m going with a little upset in this series, UAA is due one. SPLIT
#20 Minnesota-Duluth @ Nebraska-Omaha (Sat/Sun)
Last weekend the Bulldogs were on a bye week and the Mavericks swept the MTU Huskies in Houghton.
The Bulldogs find themselves in a tough spot early in the season, tied with UAA for the bottom spot. UMD can ill afford a winless weekend in Omaha, starting of the conference schedule with no wins in four games would be a deep hole. UNO is off to a good start in the league sitting alone in 3rd place and only losing once in four WCHA contests. I’m not sure why this is a Saturday night, Sunday afternoon series, but it is what it is. The Mavericks have scored 25 goals in 8 games, 3.1/game, and the Bulldogs have scored 14 times in 6 games, 2.3/game. Since both coach’s are ex-UND coach’s they are very familiar with one another. SPLIT
BYE WEEK
Michigan Tech
Wisconsin
