Weekend Match-Ups (by Donn)

I would like to wish a Happy Valentine’s Day to every one of the Goon’s World Fans reading this weekend’s article.  With another full weekend of NCHC games will any team be showing any love for their opponent?  I don’t think so! 

NCHC STANDINGS 2013-2014

Team………………………W-L-T-SW………Points

St. Cloud St……………….9-4-3-0…………...30
Minnesota-Duluth…………8-6-2-2……….….28
North Dakota………………9-7-0-0……….….27
Nebraska-Omaha…………8-6-2-1…………..27
Western Michigan………..8-7-1-1…………...26
Denver…………………..…7-6-3-2……………26
Miami………………………4-11-1-1….…….…14
Colorado College……….. 3-9-4-1…….….…..14

NCHC Games

Western Michigan @ Colorado College

Last weekend the Broncos swept the RedHawks (5-2, 3-2) in Oxford and the Tigers tied and lost to the Bulldogs (2-2SOL, 2-1L) in Duluth.

The Broncos have been hot in 2014 and the Tigers are not, need I say more?  Okay, I’ll add a little more, WMU schedule this year, 2014, has them already beating the RedHawks four times, so that helps.  The Broncos need another sweep this weekend, since their schedule gets tougher, UNO, DU, and UND to end the season.  Speaking of ending the season, I bet the Tigers wish this season was already behind them.  BRONCOS SWEEP

#13 Minnesota-Duluth @ #8 SCSU
Last weekend the Bulldogs swept the Tigers (2-2SOW, 2-1W) in Duluth and the Huskies split with the Pioneers (2-2SOL, 4-2W) in St. Cloud.

This is the series of the weekend, in my opinion, since it the battle for the top spot in the league.  If SCSU can sweep at the NHC, they will have good gap over the Bulldogs with three weeks to go.  And the Huskies have a schedule advantage down the stretch.  They play Miami, UND, and CC to end the season, and two of those teams are less than good.  The Bulldogs need to pull some points out of the Huskies if they want a shot at the first NCHC title.  Back in early December the Huskies swept the Bulldogs in Duluth; don’t see why they can’t do it again.  HUSKIES SWEEP

#23 Denver @ Nebraska-Omaha

Last weekend the Pioneers split with the Huskies (2-2SOW, 4-2L) in St. Cloud and the Mavericks split with NoDak (4-2L, 6-3W) in Grand Forks. 

The Mavericks have split their last two series and appear to be heading in the right direction, late in the season.  The Pioneers have split their last few series too, and depending on how you want to figure they have been splitting everything the last two months.  Being only separated by a point in the standings and both teams are doing fine as of late, I don’t see a sweep in this series.  SPLIT

Miami @ #18 North Dakota

Last weekend the RedHawks were swept by the Broncos (5-2, 3-2) in Oxford and NoDak split with the Mavericks (4-2W, 6-3L) in Grand Forks. 

NoDak has split its last two series with teams that are right next to them in the standings.  And now the struggling RedHawks come to Grand Forks this weekend.  NoDak needs points this weekend to keep its place in the standings.  Their schedule gets tough after this weekend, they go on the road to UMD and SCSU, and host WMU to end the season.  NODAK SWEEP

Related articles

• Weekend Match-Ups (By Donn) (ndgoon.blogspot.com)
• Weekend Match-Ups (by Donn) (ndgoon.blogspot.com)
• UND Hockey: Taking a Look at the UNO Mavericks with Matthew Semisch (thehockeywriters.com)
• NCHC Hockey: Breaking Down the Numbers Half Way Point (thehockeywriters.com)

Weekend Match-Ups (by Donn)

This weekend is a light schedule for this time of year, but hey, it is what it is…

NCHC STANDINGS 2013-2014

Team………………………W-L-T-SW………Points

North Dakota………………8-6-0-0……….….24
Denver…………………..…7-5-2-1…………..24
St. Cloud St……………….7-3-2-0…………...23
Nebraska-Omaha…………6-4-2-1…………..21
Western Michigan………..6-5-1-1…………...20
Minnesota-Duluth…………5-6-1-1……….….17
Miami………………………4-9-1-1….…….….14
Colorado College……….. 3-8-3-1…….….….13

NCHC Games

#5 SCSU @ Nebraska-Omaha

Last weekend the Huskies lost to Minnesota (4-1) in St. Paul and beat Minnesota State (6-4) in the North Star College Cup in St. Paul. The Mavericks were off last weekend. 

The Huskies are road warriors this season, crushing their opponents, in their own house, owning an away record of 9-1-0.  The Mavericks are 5-7-0 this year at home in the CenturyLink Center.  The Mavericks are still within sniffing distance of the dawgs. If they get swept at home, they still be in decent shape at five hundred.  HUSKIES SWEEP

Minnesota-Duluth @ #20 Western Michigan

Last weekend the Bulldogs Beat Minnesota State (5-4ot) and tied Minnesota (4-4) in the North Star College Cup in St. Paul. The Broncos were off last weekend. 

The Bulldogs looked good offensively last weekend in St. Paul, but defensively there is still room for improvement.  UMD has been decent on the road going 6-4-0 in road games, and after last weekend 1-0-1 at neutral sites.  The Bulldogs last four games have gone to overtime.  The Broncos are 5-4-1 at home in Lawson Ice Arena in Kalamazoo (did mention how fun it is to say Kalamazoo).  I did ever mention that the head coach of WMU, Andy Murray, use to coach the LA Kings, and his son, Brady played for the Fighting Sioux?  These teams played a series in Duluth back in mid-December, with WMU winning the opener and UMD winning the closer.  I think the visitors win the first game again before the home team settles the score.  SPLIT

Bye Week

Colorado College
#16 Denver
Miami
#17 North Dakota

Weekend Match-Ups (by Sioux 7)

Hopefully every American enjoyed their Thanksgiving weekend and spent time with family or friends.  Now that the turkey hangover should be a distant memory, we continue on our way with a full helping of WCHA games this weekend.

WCHA STANDINGS 2012-2013

Team………………………W-L-T………Points
1. Denver…………..………7-1-0………....14
2. St. Cloud St………….…5-3-0………….10
2. Minnesota………………4-2-2………….10
4. Nebraska-Omaha………4-1-1……........9
5. Colorado College ……..4-2-0..….……..8
5. North Dakota.………..…3-1-2…..……...8
7. Bemidji State……..…….2-4-2.…….......6
7. Michigan Tech………….3-5-0…………6
7. Minnesota State………..3-5-0.…...……6
10. Wisconsin…....………..1-5-2………....4
10. Minnesota-Duluth….…1-5-2………….4
12. Alaska-Anchorage…....0-3-3…...…….3

WCHA Games

#7 North Dakota @ #18 Colorado College

Last weekend NoDak split with the Irish in South Bend (2-1, 2-5) and the Tigers tied with New Hampshire (4-4ot) on Friday and lost to Yale (6-5ot), on Saturday in Colorado Springs.

ND and CC find themselves tied for fifth in the league after six games.  The Tigers are 3-3-0 at World Arena this season in NoDak is 2-3-0 away from home.  ND has won every Friday night game this season and has been less than perfect on Saturday evenings.  The Tigers have fallen on hard times, again, they are winless in their last four games, 0-3-1.  CC has gone streaking this year, 3-wins, 3-loses, 4-wins, and now 4-winless.  The Tigers have a tough stretch starting this weekend hosting NoDak, then UMinn, and then at SCSU, before the Christmas break.  I’m saying these team end the weekend they way they started, tied in the standings.  SPLIT

Wisconsin @ #5 Denver

Last weekend the Badgers were swept by the MSUM Mavericks (4-2, 4-2) in Madison and the Pioneers lost to Yale (2-1ot) on Friday and lost to New Hampshire (6-4) on Saturday in Denver.

I think the Pioneers were suffering from a double hangover last weekend, the CC games and the Thanksgiving holiday.  DU got a wakeup call with a pair of wins last weekend.  But the doctor might have the right prescription to help DU, a woefully Badger team, comes into Magnus this weekend.  UW has managed a total of 18 goals over a total of 10 games; the Badgers however have limited the damage, by only allowing 29 goals over their 10 games.  In the end, the Pioneers should bury the Badgers.  PIONEERS SWEEP

Bemidji St. @ Minnesota State

Last weekend the Beavers took 3-pts from the Seawolves (2-2ot, 5-4) in Bemidji and the Mavericks swept the Badgers (4-2, 4-2) in Madison.

With these teams in a three way tie for seventh, it should mean a couple of too close to call games.  Both are coming off successful Thanksgiving weekends, with MSUM getting four points and BSU collecting three points in the league.  Both have scored one less goal than they have allowed, overall, with the Beavers at 28-29 and the Mavericks at 35-36.  The numbers are telling me it should be a split, so that is what I’m going with.  SPLIT

Minnesota-Duluth @ Michigan Tech

Last weekend the Bulldogs split with the SCSU Huskies (2-1, 1-5) in Duluth and the MTU Huskies enjoyed their open Thanksgiving weekend.

The Bulldogs finally notched a conference win, with a 2-1 victory on Friday night.  UMD is 1-4-1 this year away from Duluth, while the Huskies are 2-3-0 in Houghton, overall.  When looking at both teams goals for and against, they are almost even, UMD has 29-37, and MTU has 31-36.  The Huskies could even their league record with a couple of wins this weekend, and but the Bulldogs further in their rear view mirror.  A pointless weekend for the Bulldogs would certainly cause further concern in Duluth.  Huskies 3-points

#14 St. Could St. @ Alaska-Anchorage

Last weekend the Huskies split with the Bulldogs (1-2, 5-1) in Duluth and the Seawolves got a point from the Beavers (2-2ot, 4-5) in Bemidji.

The Seawolves find themselves in the bottom spot in the league after six games, the upside is UAA has two games in hand on most of the league.  UAA is now the last team looking for their first conference win.  SCSU finds themselves in an excellent position, tied for second in the WCHA.  The Huskies are looking to improve on their 2-4-0 road record this weekend, and playing in Anchorage could be what they need.  Even though the Seawolves haven’t won a WCHA game this year, you still have to play your game, or UAA can/will beat you.  HUSKIES SWEEP

#13 Nebraska-Omaha @ #3 Minnesota

Last weekend the Mavericks swept the UAH Chargers (3-2, 8-0) in Omaha and the Gophers swept the Catamounts (5-1, 3-1) in Vermont.

The Mavericks trail the Gophers by a lone point in the standings, but have played two fewer games than the Gophers.  The Mavericks are currently on a 6-game winning streak and the Gophers are on a 6-game unbeaten streak, 4-0-2, so unless there is a pair of ties, somebody’s streak is going to come to an end.  SPLIT

2011-12 AHCA/CCM Hockey Men’s Division 1

Here are the 2011-12 East and West All Americans teams.

All-American Teams

All-American West First Team

Goalie: Taylor Nelson, Sr., Ferris State University (Regina, SK)

Defense: Torey Krug, Jr., Michigan State University (Livonia, MI)

Defense: Justin Schultz, Jr., University of Wisconsin* (West Kelowna, BC)

Forward: Jack Connolly, Sr., University of Minnesota Duluth*# (Duluth, MN)

Forward: Jaden Schwartz, So., Colorado College (Wilcox, SK)

Forward: Reilly Smith, Jr., Miami University (Mimico, ON)

All-American East First Team

Goalie: Troy Grosenick, So., Union College (Brookfield, WI)

Defense: Danny Biega, Jr., Harvard University (Montreal, QC)

Defense: Brian Dumoulin, Jr., Boston College* (Biddeford, ME)

Forward: Spencer Abbott, Sr., University of Maine (Hamilton, ON)

Forward: Alex Killorn, Sr., Harvard University (Montreal, QC)

Forward: Austin Smith, Sr., Colgate University (Dallas, TX)

All-American West Second Team

Goalie: Kent Patterson, Sr., University of Minnesota (Plymouth, MN)

Defense: Chad Billins, Sr., Ferris State University (Marysville, MI)

Defense: Dan DeKeyser, So., Western Michigan University (Clay Township, MI)

Forward: Nick Bjugstad, So., University of Minnesota (Blaine, MN)

Forward: J.T. Brown, So., University of Minnesota Duluth (Burnsville, MN)

Forward: Jason Zucker, So., University of Denver (Las Vegas, NV)

All-American East Second Team

Goalie: Joe Cannata, Sr., Merrimack College (Wakefield, MA)

Defense: Mat Bodie, So., Union College (East St. Paul, MB)

Defense: Tim Kirby, Sr., U.S. Air Force Academy (Austin, MN)

Forward: Barry Almeida, Sr., Boston College (Springfield, MA)

Forward: Brian O’Neill, Sr., Yale University (Yardley, PA)

Forward: Jeremy Welsh, Jr., Union College (Bayfield, ON)

* First Team in 2010-11; # Second Team in 2009-10

University of Denver defenseman Joey LaLeggia was named the sixth annual HCA National Division I Rookie of the Year award.

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Weekend Match-Ups (by Sioux 7)

How about a top ten list? I haven’t done one of those in while.

10 – 8-oz beers the Goon & Sioux 7 drank at the Fargo Force hockey game
9 – Unanswered goals the MTU Huskies scored last weekend in Duluth
8 – Teams that will be in NCHC in 2013
7 – Sioux 7’s number
6 – The number of teams in top and the bottom half of the league
5 – Points that separate 2nd from 7th place in the WCHA
4 – What Goon yells while golfing
3 – Teams that don’t have any ties in league games
2 – Teams that realistically have a chance to win the McNaughton Cup
1 – The position the Gophers occupy this week


WCHA STANDINGS

Team………………………W-L-T………Points
1. Minnesota………………15-5-0…..……30
2. Minnesota-Duluth……..11-4-3….…….25
3. Denver…………………..10-5-3………..23
4. Colorado College………11-7-0………..22
4. North Dakota……….…...11-9-0….…….22
6. Nebraska-Omaha…….…9-6-3………..21
7. Michigan Tech………….9-7-2…….…..20
8. St. Cloud St……………. 7-10-3……….17
9. Wisconsin……………....7-11-2…..…….16
10. Bemidji State….……….6-10-2…………14
11. Minnesota State………5-14-1…………11
12. Alaska-Anchorage…...3-16-1…………7


WCHA Games

Michigan Tech @ Minnesota State
Last weekend the Huskies took 3 points from the Bulldogs in Duluth and the Mavericks split with the Beavers in Bemidji.

These guys played each other back in early November, with the Huskies winning Friday’s game 1-0 and the Mavericks taking Saturday’s game 6-3. MTU is staying right in the middle of the pack and is eyeing a home ice playoff spot. A Huskies sweep this weekend would keep them in mix and leap them into the top half of the league. The Mavericks are ten points out of sixth place with eight games to go. Hate to say it, but it looks like they will be on the road in the first round of the playoffs (just an “early” prediction). Tech should be full of confidence after, shall we say, beating up on the number one team in the country last weekend. HUSKIES SWEEP

St. Cloud State @ Wisconsin
Last weekend the Huskies were swept by the Gophers in a home-and-home series and the Badgers were swept by North Dakota in Grand Forks.

Both teams are both reeling after last weekend and need points, if they want to keep their hopes alive for home ice in the first round. The Badgers need to find a way to put offensive pressure on the Huskies. SCSU has dropped their last three games and have gone 2-5-0 in their last 7 games. The Huskies need to get their sled back on their rails, before their bye weekend, next week. The Badgers also have next weekend off, so they too would like to go into that with their heads held high. SPLIT


#13 Denver vs #11 Colorado College
Last weekend the Pioneers swept the UAA Seawolves in Anchorage and the Tigers had had a weekend off to rest up and prepare for their arch-rivals.

Gold Pan Games 3 and 4, let’s look back and refresh our memories, game 1, Nov. 12, DU wins 5-4, game 2, Dec. 2, CC wins 4-3 OT. Friday’s game in Denver and Saturday’s is in Colorado Springs. Don’t look now, but the Pioneers have quietly put together a 5 game winning streak. Of course, some will say, they should have given the teams they have played (UAH, BSU, and UAA). Meanwhile the Tigers are 2-2-1 over their last 5 games. Not only be rivals, but that they are also separated by one point in the standings, just adds that much more to the mix. SPLIT


#1 Minnesota-Duluth @ Alaska-Anchorage
Last weekend Bulldogs got one point against the MTU Huskies in Duluth and the Seawolves were swept by the Pioneers in Anchorage.

After last weekends, blip on the UMD radar, they will be heading up to the Sullivan arena in Anchorage. The trip might give the Bulldogs they time they need to work things out, might… The Seawolves will no doubt be looking at tape this week and try to emulate the MTU Huskies. On paper this series weighs heavily in the Bulldogs favor, but that is paper, the games are played on ice. SPLIT


Bemidji State @ Nebraska-Omaha
Last weekend Beavers split with the MSUM Mavericks in Bemidji and the UNO Mavericks were off.

Back in mid-November these teams met in Bemidji with the Mavericks take three points back to Omaha. Last season the Beavers had UNO’s number, but it looks like the tide might be changing. The Beavers, as of late, are only scoring about twice a game, which is not good, if you want to win games. BSU needs to get the offensive attack going this weekend if they want to leave Omaha with some points. The Mavericks will no doubt try to punch some more holes in the Beavers dam, I mean defense. Perhaps BSU can have their goaltenders rustle up some points for the team this weekend. SPLIT


BYE WEEK
#2 Minnesota
#17 North Dakota

Predictions for October 7-8 2011

Image via WikipediaThis season I will be doing weekly predictions along with Sioux7 and Alex. I must admit that I am not good at making predictions and I have been blamed for jinxing other fan’s teams in the past. My selections will be bolded.

Friday, October 7, 2011

Non-Conference
Notre Dame at Minnesota-Duluth 7:07 CT
Bemidji State at Miami 7:35 ET
Sacred Heart at Minnesota 4:07 CT
Northern Michigan at Wisconsin 7:07 CT
American Int'l at Michigan Tech 7:07 ET
Minnesota State at Rensselaer 7:00 ET

Ice Breaker
Air Force vs. North Dakota 7:00 CT
Michigan State vs. Boston College 4:07 CT

Maverick Stampede
Mercyhurst vs. Nebraska-Omaha 7:37 CT
Robert Morris vs. Colgate 7:07 CT

Kendall Hockey Classic
Alaska vs. St. Cloud State 5:07 AT
Clarkson at Alaska-Anchorage 7:07 AT

Exhibition
U.S. Under-18 Team at Denver 7:07 MT

Saturday, October 8, 2011

Non-Conference
Sacred Heart at Minnesota 7:07 CT
Bemidji State at Miami 7:05 ET
Northern Michigan at Wisconsin 7:07 CT
American Int'l at Michigan Tech 7:07 ET
Minnesota State at Rensselaer 1:00 ET
Notre Dame at Minnesota-Duluth 7:07 CT

Ice Breaker
Boston College vs. North Dakota 7:07 CT
MSU vs. Air Force 7:37 CT

Maverick Stampede
Colgate vs. Nebraska-Omaha 7:00 CT
Mercyhurst vs. RMU 7:37 CT

Kendall Hockey Classic
St. Cloud State at Alaska-Anchorage 7:07 AT
Alaska vs. Clarkson 4:07 AT

Exhibition
U.S. Under-18 Team at Colorado College 7:37 MT

Analysis - Sacred Heart at Minnesota – When I look at this series on paper, I wonder if the Gophers are trying to rack up wins against the weak sisters of the poor. That being said, the Golden Gophers should win both games but the Gophers can’t look past Sacred Heart. Sweep Minnesota.

Notre Dame at Minnesota-Duluth – this should prove to be an interesting match-up because it's a rematch of their Frozen Four game from last spring. The Irish will probably be looking for some revenge. The Bulldogs have played six games since 2002 and have gone 2-2-2. Prediction split.

Bemidji State at Miami – The BSU Beavers and the MU RedHawks have played twice in recent history with the Beavers winning the last game 3-2 at the Subway Classic in Grand Forks, ND during the 2009 season. This season's match-up at least on paper doesn’t look very good and the Beavers probably wont surprise the RedHawks again this time around. Miami Sweeps.

Northern Michigan at Wisconsin – The Wisconsin Badgers have had some success against the Wildcats as of late and own a 4-2-1 record the last seven games against the Wildcats but this isn’t your daddy’s Wisconsin Badgers hockey team. The Badgers enter the season with three goalies with no college hockey experience. what-so-ever.  That being said, I am going with a sweep for the Wisconsin because the Badgers while minus some good players from last season’s team still has a strong nucleus of  returning player that will turn some heads this season.  Also, Badgers coach Mikes Eaves seems to get the most out of his players.  Sweep Wisconsin.

American Int'l at Michigan Tech – Mel Pearson makes his head coaching debut against the AIC Yellow Jackets (8-24-1 2010-11) another team that had a tough season last year.  The Michigan Tech Huskies started last season on five game unbeaten streak before they went on a horrible streak where they didn’t win a game from October 29^th till February 18^th.  A WCHA cellar dweller is better than a AHA cellar dweller. I am going to with a Huskies sweep.

Air Force vs. North Dakota – The UND Fighting Sioux start the season against the AFA Falcons, the Fighting Sioux are a shell of their former self the Fighting Sioux lost 294 points from last year's 471 point offensive point total. The good news is that the Fighting Sioux still have quite a few offensive weapons in the arsenal led by Danny Kristo, Brock Nelson and Corbin Knight. Sioux win.

Boston College vs. North Dakota – The Sioux haven’t had a lot of luck against the Boston College Eagles as of late and they have lost the last four games they have played against the Eagles, however, one could say that the Sioux are due against the Eagles (6-1 Eagles April 2008, 6-4 Eagles April 2007, 6-5 Eagles 2006). Sioux break through with a win in the Ice Breaker. Sioux win.

Minnesota State at Rensselaer – This could be an interesting series both teams like to play a physical brand of hockey.  The Engineers lost in the first round of the NCAA playoffs to the UND Fighting Sioux and are going to want to start the season on a high note.  The Mavericks had what some would have classified as a rough season, as they went 14-18-6; missed the NCAA tourney and the Final Five. Also, the  Mavericks lost some notable players on defense, Kurt Davis, Ben Youds and Channing Boe and the Mavericks could take their lumps early on. I going with a split.