WCHA Power Rankings: Week 16

Western Collegiate Hockey Association logo (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Here is the week 16 WCHA Power Rankings. This season, I have been doing the WCHA Power Rankings with Taylor Seibel, who is a contributor for College Hockey Weekly.

1. Minnesota Gophers – (18-4-4, WCHA 10-4-4) – This past week, the Minnesota Gophers split (1-2 – 4-1 W) their weekend series with Minnesota State Mankato. This weekend, the Gophers are off.

2. Saint Cloud State – (15-10-1, WCHA 12-5-1) – This past weekend, the Huskies took (3-1 W – 2-2 T) points against North Dakota. This weekend, the Huskies travel to Bemidji to play the Beavers at the Sandford Center.

3. Nebraska Omaha – (15-9-2, WCHA 11-5-2) – This past weekend, the Mavericks swept (5-3 W – 2-1 W) the Bemidji State Beavers. This weekend, Mavericks entertain the Michigan Tech Huskies as the CenturyLink Center in Omaha.

4. University of North Dakota – (13-8-5, WCHA 8-5-5) – This past weekend, UND took (1-2 L – 2-2 T) one point against Saint Cloud State University at the Ralph Engelstad Arena. This weekend, UND entertains the Wisconsin Badgers at Ralph Engelstad Arena. The Badgers come into this weekend's series having won seven of eight games and are on a 10-1-2 and have only lost once since November 24, 2012. 

5.  Denver University – (13-8-4, WCHA 8-6-4) – This past weekend, the Denver Pioneers were off. This weekend, the Pioneers travel to Duluth to play the Bulldogs at Amsoil Arena.

6.  Wisconsin – (11-8-5, WCHA 8-5-5) – This past weekend, the Wisconsin Badgers swept (5-1 W – 2-1 W) the Seawolves at the Kohl Center. This weekend, the Badgers travel to Grand Forks to play North Dakota at Ralph Engelstad Arena in an important two game series.

7. Minnesota State Mankato – (16-9-3, WCHA 10-9-1) – This past weekend, the Mavericks split (3-3 T – 4-0 W) their home and home series against the Minnesota Gophers. This weekend, the Mavericks are off.

8. Minnesota Duluth – (10-11-3, WCHA 8-7-3) – This past weekend, the Bulldogs beat 3-1 the U-18 team in an exhibition game. This weekend, the Bulldogs entertain the Pioneers at Amsoil Arena.

9. Colorado College – (10-14-2, WCHA 7-10-1) – This past weekend, the Colorado College Tigers were off. This weekend, the Tigers make the trek north, to Alaska to play the Alaska Anchorage Seawolves at Sullivan Arena.

10. Michigan Tech – (7-12-4, WCHA 4-10-3) – This past weekend, the Huskies were off. This weekend, the Huskies travel to Omaha to play the Mavericks at the CentryLink Center.

11. Bemidji State – (5-14-5, WCHA 4-10-4) – This past weekend, the Beavers were swept (3-5 L 1-2 L) by the Nebraska-Omaha Mavericks at the Sanford Center. This weekend, the Beavers entertain the Saint Cloud State Huskies at the Sanford Center.

12. Alaska Anchorage – (3-16-5, WCHA 1-15-4) – This past weekend, Seawolves were swept (1-2 L – 2-5 L) by the Wisconsin Badgers at the Kohl Center. This weekend, the Seawolves entertain the Colorado College Tigers. The Seawolves are mired in horrible streak and have won one game in the last 20 games (1-15-4).

Taylor Seibel’s Power Rankings – January 27, 2013

1. St. Cloud State – (15-10-1, 12-5-1 WCHA) – The Huskies came into Ralph Engelstad Arena this weekend, and took 3 points from North Dakota.  St. Cloud State absolutely dominated North Dakota on Friday, and kept up with a resurgent UND squad on Saturday.  When SCSU is on, they are a national championship caliber team.  The Huskies travel to Bemidji to take on BSU in WCHA play next weekend.

2. Minnesota – (18-4-4, 10-4-4 WCHA) – The Gophers struggled at times against Minnesota State, but still managed a split with a road win on Saturday.  The Gophers have next weekend off before a huge series with SCSU the following weekend, which could decide the MacNaughton Cup.

3. Nebraska Omaha – (15-9-2, 11-5-2 WCHA) – The Mavericks finally solved Bemidji State, notching their first sweep over the Beavers since joining the WCHA.  Omaha has the advantage of an easier schedule coming down the stretch, and if they win the games they should, UNO will be in the mix for the MacNaughton.  Next weekend, Omaha hosts Michigan Tech in WCHA play.

4. North Dakota – (13-8-5, 8-5-5 WCHA) – North Dakota had another disappointing weekend, taking only 1 point.  UND is in serious trouble of missing the NCAA Tournament and potentially missing out on home ice if they don’t start playing to their potential.  The tools are there, but the effort has been extremely inconsistent over the past month.  Next weekend, North Dakota hosts Wisconsin in a key WCHA series.

5. Wisconsin – (11-8-5, 8-5-5 WCHA) – Wisconsin continues their hot streak, as this weekend they swept Alaska Anchorage in Madison.  The Badgers had an awful start to the season, but have responded with a dominating stretch, only losing once since November.  Next weekend, the Badgers look to continue their streak as they travel to North Dakota for WCHA play.

6. Denver – (13-8-4, 8-6-4 WCHA) – The Pioneers took a much needed weekend off this weekend after getting swept for the first time in four years.  Denver has been extremely inconsistent this season, and if not for superstar goaltending, they might be in the bottom half looking up.  Next weekend, The Pios travel to Duluth to take on the Bulldogs in WCHA action.

7. Minnesota State – (16-9-3, 10-9-1 WCHA) – The Mavericks showed that they belong in the WCHA race with a split against Minnesota, but failed to truly capitalize by falling at home on Saturday.  The Mavericks have the heart and coaching to get home ice for the WCHA Tournament, but they will need to win games that a top-half team should win to do so.  Next weekend, Mankato is off.

8. Minnesota Duluth – (10-11-3, 8-7-3 WCHA) – The Bulldogs beat the USA Under-18 squad in an exhibition this weekend.  Duluth is in the mix for home ice, and while they play a very difficult lineup in the stretch run, 6 of their last 10 are at home.  It all starts next weekend as Denver is coming to town for WCHA play.

9. Colorado College – (10-14-2, 7-10-1 WCHA) – The Tigers were off this weekend.  Colorado College has shown they can compete with anyone in the league, and are certainly capable of making a push for home ice.  However, they have been too inconsistent through this point of the season to be in the top half.  Next weekend, the Tigers travel to Anchorage in a series where CC needs 4 points.

10. Michigan Tech – (7-12-4, 4-10-4 WCHA) – The Huskies were off this weekend.  Michigan Tech came into the season as a popular pick for a top half finish, but have not played as well as many thought they could.  While a top-half finish is a stretch at this point, if the Huskies can play up to their potential, they will have a shot.  Next weekend, Tech travels to Omaha in WCHA play.

11. Bemidji State – (5-13-5, 4-10-4 WCHA) – The Beavers were finally stopped by Omaha in WCHA action, getting swept at home by a strong Maverick squad.  The road in isn’t any easier as Bemidji still faces off against SCSU, Wisconsin, Minnesota Duluth, North Dakota, and Minnesota.  Next weekend, the Huskies from St. Cloud make their way up to Bemidji.

12. Alaska Anchorage – (3-16-5, 1-15-4 WCHA) – The Seawolves failed to earn a point against Wisconsin this weekend, as the Badgers swept Anchorage in Madison.  Home ice is out of the equation for Anchorage, but they can still earn some respect and gear up for a charge in the WCHA Tournament.  Next weekend, Alaska Anchorage hosts Colorado College in conference play.

 

Related articles

• WCHA Power Rankings: Week 15 (insidehockey.com)
• WCHA Power Rankings: Week 14 (insidehockey.com)
• Week 13 WCHA Power Rankings (insidehockey.com)
• WCHA Power Rankings: 01/01/2013 (insidehockey.com)

WCHA Power Rankings 12/31/2012

Western Collegiate Hockey Association logo (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Here are this week’s WCHA Power Rankings. This season, I will be doing the WCHA Power Rankings with Taylor Seibel who is a contributor of College Hockey Weekly.

1. Minnesota Gophers – (13-3-3, WCHA 6-3-3) – This past weekend, the Minnesota Gophers beat (4-0 W, 8-1 W) Air Force Academy and Boston College in their annual Mariucci Classic. The Gophers are off till January 8^th when they play the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in a single nonconference game.

2. University of North Dakota – (10-5-3, WCHA 7-2-3) – The Green and White have been off during the Christmas break and return to action this weekend against Holy Cross at Ralph Englestad Arena.

3. Denver University – (10-6-3, WCHA 7-4-3) – This past weekend, the Denver Pioneers beat (6-0 W) the Boston University Terriers in the Hall of Fame Game in Denver. The Pioneers snapped a horrid streak and now have a single win in their last nine games (1-5-3). This weekend, the Pioneers entertain ECAC Foe Cornell in an important two game series in Magness Arena.

4. Minnesota State Mankato – (12-6-2, WCHA 8-6-0) – This past weekend, the Mavericks won (3-1 W – 3-1 W) the UConn Hockey Classic in Storrs, Connecticut. This weekend, The Mavericks entertain Hockey East Foe Providence at the Verizon Wireless Center, in Mankato. While the Mavericks schedule might not be all that impressive on paper – they’re 43^rd in SOS – they have won nine of 10 games and would be a bubble team for the NCAA tourney if it was selection Sunday. It will be interesting to see how the second half of their season shakes out. The Mavericks toughest games during the second half of the season are against Minnesota and North Dakota and only play 7 out of the next 16 games away from the Verizon Wireless Center.

5. Saint Cloud State – (12-8-0, WCHA 9-5-0) – This past weekend, the Huskies had an unimpressive split (3-4 L – 2-1 w) ECAC foe Rensselaer at the National Hockey Center. This weekend, the Huskies entertain CCHA foe Northern Michigan.

6. Nebraska Omaha – (11-8-1, WCHA 7-4-1) – This past weekend, the Mavericks were swept (4-5 L – 1-3 L) by the Quinnipiac Bobcats. This weekend, the Mavericks entertain the Colorado College Tigers in a pivotal two game WCHA series, at the CenturyLink Center in Omaha, Nebraska.

7. Colorado College – (8-10-2, WCHA 5-6-1) – The Colorado College have been off during the Christmas break. This weekend, the Tigers travel to Omaha, Nebraska to play the Mavericks in an important two game WCHA series.

8. Michigan Tech – (6-10-3, WCHA 3-8-3) – This past weekend, the Huskies won (4-0 W – 4-0 W) the Great Lakes Invitational in Detroit Michigan. The Huskies snapped a seven game winless streak. This weekend, the Huskies are off.

9.  Wisconsin – (4-7-5, WCHA 2-5-5) – The Wisconsin Badgers have been off during the Christmas Break, This weekend, the Badgers travel to Anchorage, Alaska to play the UAA Seawolves.

10. Minnesota Duluth – (7-10-3, WCHA 5-6-3) – This past weekend, the UMD Bulldogs took fourth place  (0-1 L – 2-6 L)  in the Florida College losing to Maine and Ferris State. With their title this weekend, Maine has won the Florida College Classic seven times since 2000. This weekend, the Bulldogs are off.

11. Bemidji State – (5-9-3, WCHA 4-7-3) – Last night, the Bemidji State Beavers lost (3-4) to Massachusetts in the first round of the Ledyard Bank Classic in Hanover, NH. Tonight, the Beavers play New Hampshire in the third place game of the Ledyard Bank Classic. This Weekend, the Beavers play a nonconference series against CCHA foe Western Michigan.

12. Alaska Anchorage – (3-9-4, WCHA 1-8-3) – The Seawolves have been off during the Christmas Break. This weekend, the Seawolves entertain the Wisconsin Badgers at the Sullivan Arena. The Seawolves have won one game in the last 12 games (1-8-3).

Taylor Seibel's WCHA Power Rankings

1. North Dakota – (10-5-3, 7-2-3 WCHA) – North Dakota has had several weeks off since their last game action, but going into the break, nobody was playing better hockey than UND.  Next week, Holy Cross comes to the Ralph to take on North Dakota in Non-Conference play.

2. Minnesota – (13-3-3, 6-3-3 WCHA) – Minnesota came up big in the Mariucci Classic this weekend, knocking off Air Force before destroying #1 Boston College 8-1.  The Gophers have gradually improved throughout the season, and appear to be on the verge of becoming the offensive juggernaut that many thought they would be at the beginning of the season.  Minnesota takes on Notre Dame next Tuesday in a key non-conference game.

3. St. Cloud State – (12-8-0, 9-5-0 WCHA) – The Huskies had some struggles against RPI this weekend in a split at home.  St. Cloud State should be in the mix for the MacNaughton in February and March, and they look to get back on track next weekend against Northern Michigan.

4. Denver – (10-6-3, 7-4-3 WCHA) – DU had been struggling mightily before Christmas, but they responded in a big way this weekend in a 6-0 trouncing of BU.  Juho Olkinuora has been on an impressive streak of late, and I wouldn’t be surprised if Denver finds their way back into the spotlight under Olkinuora’s guidance.  Next weekend, DU hosts Cornell in a critical non-conference series.

5. Minnesota State – (12-6-2, 8-6-0 WCHA) – Mankato was able to win the UConn Hockey Classic this weekend, beating both Brown and UConn by 3-1 scores.  The Mavs have won 9 of their last 10, and while their schedule has not been very impressive, they’ll have plenty of opportunities to show that they are for real in the second half of the season.  Providence comes to Mankato next weekend in non-conference action.

6. Nebraska Omaha – (11-8-1, 7-4-1 WCHA) – The Mavericks of Omaha had a disappointing weekend, getting swept at Quinnipiac.  Omaha has the talent to be a top 4 or 5 team in the WCHA, but they need to work on their consistency.  Next weekend, UNO hosts Colorado College in WCHA action.

7. Colorado College – (8-10-2, 5-6-1 WCHA) – The Tigers have not played since getting swept in St. Cloud a few weeks ago.  CC has a potent offense, but their goalie play and defense will need to improve if CC wants to be host a playoff series this season.  The Tigers travel to Omaha to take on the Mavs.

8. Michigan Tech – (6-10-3, 3-8-3 WCHA) – The Huskies completed a very impressive weekend of play in keeping both of their opponents off the scoreboard en route to winning their first Great Lakes Invitational since 1981.  Tech struggled in the first half of the season, but have a reasonable schedule to make a second half run and content for home ice.  Next weekend, Tech is off.

9. Minnesota Duluth – (7-10-3, 5-6-3 WCHA) – The Bulldogs struggled in their holiday performance, losing games to Maine and Ferris State, scoring only 2 goals on the weekend.  Duluth will need to get their offense going in the second half if they want to have a shot for home ice.  Next weekend, Duluth is off.

10. Wisconsin – (4-7-5, 2-5-5 WCHA) – Wisconsin did not play during the holidays.  Wisconsin had been playing significantly better hockey heading into the holidays.  If they can continue that play, they may be able to salvage the season.  Next weekend, the Badgers make the trek up to Anchorage to take on the Seawolves in WCHA play.

11. Bemidji State – (5-9-3, 4-7-3 WCHA) – The Beavers are currently playing in the Ledyard Bank 3^rd place game against UNH as I write this, but it does not appear that they will walk away from the weekend with a victory.  Next weekend, BSU squares off against Western Michigan.

12. Alaska Anchorage – (3-9-4, 1-8-3 WCHA) – The Seawolves did not play during the holidays.  UAA has shown flashes of greatness, but have not been able to consistently outplay their opponents.  Next weekend, UAA hosts Wisconsin in WCHA action.

Related articles

• WCHA Power Rankings: 12/16/12 (insidehockey.com)
• WCHA Power Rankings: 12/02/12 (insidehockey.com)
• WCHA Power Rankings: 11/25/2012 (insidehockey.com)
• WCHA Power Rankings: 11/11/2012 (insidehockey.com)