Weekend Match-Ups (by Donn)

Here we are the last weekend in the inaugural NCHC season.  The race for the Penrose Cup will be decided this weekend.  We know for sure is both SCSU and UND will be at home for the first round of the playoffs, oh and they are the top contenders for the inaugural league title.  I’m not sure on how all the tie breakers work, but we might have to find out come Sunday!

NCHC STANDINGS 2013-2014

Team………………………W-L-T-SW………Points

North Dakota……………..14-8-0-0…..…….….42
St. Cloud St……………….13-6-3-0…………...42
Nebraska-Omaha………..12-8-2-1…..………..39
Minnesota-Duluth………..10-10-2-2….….……34
Western Michigan………..10-10-2-2…….……34
Denver………………………9-10-3-2……….…32
Colorado College……….. ..6-11-5-1…….….…24
Miami………………………..5-16-1-1….…….….17

NCHC Games

Nebraska-Omaha @ #17 Minnesota-Duluth

Last weekend the Bulldogs swept Miami (5-4, 1-0) in Oxford and the Mavericks swept the Tigers (6-0, 2-1ot) in Omaha.

The Mavericks have almost secured home ice, and with at least a tie this weekend, they will secure a home spot.  The Bulldogs need to win, since they are tied with WMU for the last home ice spot and DU is only two points behind.  Both UMD and UNO beat up on the two bottom teams in the standings, so they both should have some confidence going into the weekend.  UNO is even stevens this year, 6-6-0 on the road and 9-9-0 at home, the Bulldogs are 4-7-3 at home and 10-6-0 on the road.  Perhaps UMD is better of throwing these games, so they are on the road the first round?  SPLIT

Miami @ Denver

Last weekend the RedHawks were swept by the Bulldogs (5-4, 1-0) in Duluth and the Pioneers split with the Broncos (4-2W, 3-1L) in Kalamazoo.

I’m guessing the season can’t end fast enough in Oxford, ugh.  MU has just two wins in 2014, and thus has lost seven of their last eight games.  The Pioneers still have a shot at home ice but they need some help; they need to pass up UMD and WMU.  The RedHawks are 4-9-2 on the road, and they did split with DU earlier this season.  The Pioneers are 9-6-1 in Denver this year.  They will need at least one win this weekend and lots of help or two wins and some help, to host games next weekend.  PIONEERS SWEEP

#3 SCSU @ Colorado College

Last weekend the Huskies split with NoDak (5-2L, 3-1W) in St. Cloud and the Tigers were swept by the Mavericks (6-0, 2-1ot) in Omaha.

This match-up could happen again next weekend too, but with SCSU hosting the games.  The teams meet way back about thanksgiving with the teams tying Friday (CC won shoot out) and SCSU winning the Saturday game.  With the cup on the line, I think SCSU will bring its “A” game to Colorado Springs.  Unless the Huskies are affected by thee, ahem, “haze”, at CC, they should leave a couple of wins.  HUSKIES SWEEP

#21 Western Michigan @ #9 North Dakota

Last weekend the Broncos split with the Pioneers (4-2L, 3-1W) in Kalamazoo and NoDak split with the Huskies (5-2W, 3-1L) in St. Cloud.

These teams met the first week of December in Kalamazoo, with NoDak sweeping the series by identical 3-2 scores.  NoDak is 11-5-1 at home in The Ralph this season and the Broncos are 5-5-3 on the road.  As far as I can recall this will be WMU first ever trip to Grand Forks (correct me if I’m wrong).  The Broncos are in a precarious spot, sitting in a tie for fourth place and the last home ice spot.  And playing on the road at the top team in the conferences barn doesn’t help their cause any.  NoDak has been hot the second half, like usual, and I don’t see them slowing down this weekend at home, with home crowd advantage cheering them on.  NODAK SWEEP

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