Weekend Match-Ups (by Sioux 7)

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.

Weekend Match-Ups (by Sioux 7)

Since we only have two WCHA series this week, how about a TOP TEN list?

10. The number of tie league games this season
9. Teams that still have a chance at home ice this season
8. What I did to my popcorn at the game
7. NCAA titles North Dakota and Denver each have
6. WCHA teams in the USCHO top ten poll
5. Is how many teams will be in St. Paul come March 18
4 . Out of the 5 WCHA series ended in splits last weekend
3. How many league wins MTU now has this season
2. Waved off goals from last weekend’s DU-UND series
1. Where DU is sitting in this week’s WCHA standings

CURRENT WCHA STANDINGS

TEAM………………….GP….W-L-T….PTS
1 Denver……………… 20….12-4-4….28
2 Minnesota-Duluth…..20….13-6-1….27
3 St. Cloud State……...20….12-6-2….26
4 Wisconsin………….. 20….11-6-3…. 25
4 Colorado College…..22….11-8-3….25
6 North Dakota………..20…..8-9-3.….19
7 Minnesota…………...20…..8-10-2 …18
8 Alaska-Anchorage…22…..8-13-1….17
9 Minnesota State…….20…..6-13-1….13
10 Michigan Tech…….20…..3-17-0….6

WCHA

Alaska-Anchorage at #4 St. Cloud State
Last weekend the Seawolves split with Minnesota in Anchorage and the Huskies split with Colorado College in Colorado Springs.

Earlier this season the Huskies swept the Seawolves in Anchorage. The Seawolves continue to split their home series, loss on Friday and then win on Saturday, but this weekend they are traveling to SCSU. UAA has a 3-6-1 road record and SCSU has a 8-2-3 home record this season. The Huskies have a chance to take over 1st place in the league with a sweep of UAA. Coach Motzko has a hot team right now, winning 9 in a row before losing on Saturday. I’m sure the Husky faithful are hoping that was just a blip on the radar and not a cooling off sign. It will help the Husky cause to start a new win streak by hosting the 8th place Seawolves. I see SCSU starting a new streak this weekend. HUSKIES SWEEP

#6 Minnesota-Duluth at Michigan Tech
Last weekend the Bulldogs split with Wisconsin in Duluth and the Huskies split with Minnesota State in Houghton.

Earlier this season when these designated league rivals met in Duluth the Bulldogs split with the Huskies. And with MTU having their Winter Carnival this weekend it won’t be easy for the Bulldogs to try and grab four points. The Huskies are now official playing the spoilers, since they cannot get home ice in the playoffs. However, MTU can damage other teams’ chances of getting the WCHA regular season title. If Tech wants get some points they will need to score some goals, which they have had trouble doing this season. But I think the Huskies will damage UMD’s chances of a league title this weekend. SPLIT.

Non-Conference

Friday, February 5

Air Force (12-10-6 overall) at #10 Colorado College (15-10-3 overall)
Last weekend the Tigers split at home against St. Cloud State. Currently the AFA Falcons sit in 2nd place in Atlantic Hockey.

I’m betting this in-town rivals will be playing in front of a sold out arena. I haven’t followed Air Force, but they are 4-4-2 since the calendar changed to 2010. The Tigers haven’t fared much better since January 1, they have a 3-5-0 record. So I will stick with the WCHA in this battle. CC WIN.

Mercyhurst (12-14-2 overall) at #2 Denver (16-6-4 overall)
Last weekend the Pioneers swept North Dakota in Grand Forks. Currently the Lakers sit in 3rd place in Atlantic Hockey.

The Lakers have a 3-5-0 record in 2010, with one of those losses to UMD by a 6-0 score. The Pioneers are owners of a 5-1-2 record in this New Year. This game should be a DU blow-out. But, if DU is still thinking about their recent sweep of UND, they could get beat, not likely though. DU WIN

Saturday, February 6

Mercyhurst at #10 Colorado College
Have to stick with the WCHA in this game. CC WIN

#2 Denver at Air Force
I’m sticking with the dub in this game too. DU WIN

Camp Randal Hockey Classic
#19 Michigan (15-12-1 overall) at #3 Wisconsin (15-7-4 overall)
Last weekend the Badgers split in Duluth with the Bulldogs, and the Wolverines split with arch-rival Michigan State during a home-and-home series.

Earlier this year these teams met in the College Hockey Showcase over Thanksgiving and the UM beat UW by a score of 3-2 in Ann Arbor. UW has not lost back-to-back games this season, and they lost on Saturday. This game will played outside at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison. So weather could be a factor in this game, the forecast for Saturday is flurries with a high in the mid 20’s. I’m going with the home team in this outdoor contest. BADGERS WIN.

BYE WEEK – OFF
#9 North Dakota
Minnesota
Minnesota State – Mankato

Weekend Match Ups (by Sioux 7)

Well, 2010 is in full swing and WCHA is entering into the second half of the season. I was surprised by all the sweeps last weekend, and also that UAA almost tied DU twice!

Current WCHA standings

TEAM…………….........GP…W-L-T…PTS
1 Denver………………….16…10-3-3…23
2 Minnesota-Duluth….16…10-5-1…21
3 St. Cloud State……...16…9-5-2…20
4 Colorado College……16…8-5-3…19
5 Wisconsin………………14…8-4-2…18
5 North Dakota…………16…8-6-2…18
7 Minnesota……………..14…6-7-1…13
8 Minnesota State…....16…5-10-1…11
9 Alaska-Anchorage…16…4-11-1…9
10 Michigan Tech……16…2-14-0…4

WCHA

#10 Minnesota-Duluth at Minnesota State
Last week the Bulldogs swept the Tigers at the DECC, and the Mavericks were swept by the Sioux in Grand Forks.

The Bulldogs take to the road this weekend, where they are 3-3-1 this year. The Mavericks return home from GF without any points, and have a 7-4-1 record at the Alltel Center. Back in mid October UMD swept MSUM, but that was 3 months ago and both teams have changed since then. The Mavericks are needing to pick up some points to try and make the top five for home ice, while the Bulldogs are sitting pretty good right now for home ice. UMD could leapfrog DU for the top spot with three or four points, MSUM could move closer to the 5 spot with a sweep. The Mavericks never quit playing last weekend when they got swept, so I expect them to come out this Friday with some resolve in their skating. I’m going to say this series goes the way of a SPLIT.

Alaska-Anchorage at Michigan Tech
Last week the Seawolves got 1 point at Denver and the Huskies got swept at SCSU and tied Northern Michigan on Tuesday.

The Seawolves played excellent against the Pioneers last weekend, and if they have that type of effort this weekend, I see them leaving Houghton with four points. The Huskies have had little to cheer about this season, barring some type of miracle MTU will be on the road in playoffs. In this battle between the 9th and 10th place teams in the league, UAA has lots on the line. If the Seawolves sweep they will be up to 13pts in the standings and 9pts ahead of MTU with 10 league games to go. SEAWOLVES SWEEP.

#4 North Dakota at Minnesota
Last weekend the Sioux swept the Mavericks at the Ralph and the Gophers swept Harvard in Minneapolis.

The Sioux have not lost a game in 2010, the Gophers have only last one game in 2010. To open the WCHA season the Sioux took 3pts from the Gophers in Grand Forks. The Gophers cannot afford to get swept on home ice, if they want any chance of hosting a first round playoff game. The last time UND was at Mariucci was Feb. 1-2, 2008, when they beat and tied the Gophers, in a pair of overtime games. The last time UM beat UND in Mariucci was Jan. 13, 2006. Both teams have plenty of talent on them, but UND has been getting the W’s whereas UM has gotten the L’s. This is a big rivalry for both teams, so you can generally throw the records and everything else the window for that matter. I like my Sioux to take Friday night’s game and the Gophers to rebound on Saturday, SPLIT.

#3 Wisconsin at #8 Colorado College
Last week the Badgers beat the U-18 team, and the Tigers were swept at UMD.

The Tigers are one point ahead of the Badgers in the standings, but CC has played two more games. This is the only series these teams play each other, so there won’t be a rematch, until maybe in the playoffs. UW is 4-3-1 on the road and CC is 7-4-0 at World Arena. CC is on a 3 game losing streak, and only won twice in their last 9 games (2-5-2), and UW is on a 7 game unbeaten streak (5-0-2). The Badgers host Denver next weekend, so hopefully they are focused on this series. I think this is a very critical series for CC, if they get sweep or split, they might not recover and continue to slide down the standings. I have to go with the hot hand and that belongs to UW. BADGERS SWEEP.

NON-CONFERENCE

#14 St. Cloud St. at Quinnipiac
Last week the Huskies swept the other Huskies from MTU. The QU Bobcats lost to fellow ECAC members Rensselaer and Union last weekend.

The Bobcats have a 13-7-1 overall record, and are 8-2-0 at home in Hamden, Conn. QU has lost 4 straight and only have 1 win in their last 8 games. SCSU has an overall record of 12-7-3 and have won 4 in a row, and are 7-1-1 in their last 9 games. Have to go with WCHA in this non conference series. SCSU SWEEP.


BYE – OFF WEEK
#1 Denver Pioneers