Weekend Match-Ups (by Sioux 7)

MERRY CHRISTMAS to everyone!

Christmas break is upon us. Thus, we only have a few games on the schedule this weekend, and non next weekend and then some games/tournaments just before New Year’s.


WCHA STANDINGS

Team………………………W-L-T………Points
1. Minnesota………………11-3-0…..……22
2. Minnesota-Duluth……..10-2-2….…….22
3. Nebraska-Omaha………7-4-3……….. 17
4. Colorado College……… 7-5-0……….. 14
4. North Dakota……….…...7-7-0….……..14
6. Denver……………………5-4-3………..13
6. Michigan Tech…………. 6-7-1…….…..13
8. Bemidji State…………. 5-7-2……….. 12
9. St. Cloud St……………. 4-5-3……….. 11
10. Wisconsin……………..4-8-2…..…….10
11. Alaska-Anchorage…...3-10-1…………7
12. Minnesota State……… 2-9-1…………..5


WCHA Games

#7 Colorado College @ Minnesota State
Last weekend the Tigers split with the Seawolves in Colorado Springs and the Mavericks swept the UAH Chargers in Mankato.

The Tigers could leap frog UNO this weekend with a couple of wins on the road. Similarly for the Mavericks, they could move out of the basement with a sweep. The Mavericks will be looking to build off of last weekend’s success and head into Christmas on a high note. The Mavs are averaging almost 3 goals/game in league play, which gives them a chance to win games. The Tigers are 3-4-0 on the road in all games this year. I’m guessing each teams gets a little something in their stocking. SPLIT


#14 Denver @ # St. Cloud State
Last weekend the Pioneers split with the Beavers in Bemidji and the Huskies enjoyed a bye weekend in St. Cloud.

The Pioneers could vault all the way to third in the league this weekend, depending on how all the games turn out. However, they have a tough road trip to St. Cloud this weekend. The Huskies only have one blemish on their home record, they are 3-1-3 at the National Hockey Center, and DU is 2-4-1 on the road. The Huskies can also climb the standings this weekend with some points. SPLIT


NON-CONFERENCE

Alabama-Huntsville (1-17-1)@ Bemidji State (7-9-2)
Last weekend the Beavers split with the Pioneers in Bemidji and the Chargers were swept by the MSUM Mavericks in Mankato. The Charges only have one win on the season, which came against the UNO Mavericks a couple of weeks ago. BEAVERS SWEEP


Michigan Tech (9-8-1) @ Northern Michigan (8-7-3)
Last weekend the Huskies split with the Gophers in Minneapolis and the Wildcats got a road split at CCHA foe Lake Superior State.

I think we could call this series the Battle for Upper Michigan, or something to that effect. The Wildcats are an impressive 6-1-3 at home in Marquette this season and the Huskies are 3-5-0 away from Houghton. Gotta go with the WCHA in this tilt. HUSKIES WIN


EXHIBITION

Russian Red Stars @ #18 North Dakota
Last weekend the Sioux split with UNO Mavericks in Grand Forks and the Red Stars .
Since this game is not officially recognized by the NCAA, I’m un-officially pick the university formerly nicknamed the Sioux to win.


BYE WEEK
Alaska-Anchorage
Nebraska-Omaha
#2 Minnesota
#1 Minnesota-Duluth
Wisconsin Badgers

Shot charts from Fridays game between UNO and UND

If you don’t believe me take a look at Mavericks hulk Tony Turgeon who is listed at 6’4” and 232 pounds. But Turgeon isn’t the only one that is big on the Mavericks blue line; in fact the Mavericks only had one guy in their line up last night on the blue line that wasn’t 200 pounds. Kyle Ensign is 6’0” and 189.

Also, looking at the shot charts you will see that both goalies played pretty well and stopped many grade “A” opportunities inside the slot. I also think that this team is very close to putting all of the pieces together. The freshman line of Parks, MacMillan and Brendan O'Donnell is very close to breaking out.

As I mentioned earlier, there was a lot of physical play in last night's game and both teams lined up at the blue line making it more difficult to get across the blue line. Last night I couldn’t believe my eyes, when I saw a team led by Dean Blais use “neutral zone trap.” In the past Blais’ teams have been known for playing a wide open style of hockey, some have deemed it race horse hockey.

Related articles

• Mavericks tip Sioux 2-1 in Overtime (insidehockey.com)
• WCHA Power Rankings - December 5 (insidehockey.com)
• WCHA Power Rankings - November 28 (insidehockey.com)
• UND and UNO Series Preview (insidehockey.com)

Weekend Match-Ups (by Sioux 7)

WCHA STANDINGS
Team………………………W-L-T………Points1. Minnesota…………...……10-2-0…..……20
2. Minnesota-Duluth……… 9-2-1….……..19
3. Nebraska-Omaha………6-3-3……….. 15
4. Colorado College……… 6-4-0……….. 12
4. North Dakota……….…...6-6-0….……..12
6. Denver…………..………..4-3-3……….. 11
6. Michigan Tech…………. 5-6-1…….…..11
6. St. Cloud St……………. 4-5-3……….. 11
9. Bemidji State…………. 4-6-2……….. 10
10. Wisconsin……………..4-7-1…..……..9
11. Alaska-Anchorage……2-9-1…………5
12. Minnesota State……… 2-9-1…………5

WCHA Games

Nebraska-Omaha @ #19 North Dakota
Last weekend the Mavericks split with Alabama-Huntsville in Nashville and the Sioux swept the Seawolves in Anchorage.

These teams have only played four games all time, going 2-2-0. The Sioux seem to be warming up, going on a four game winning streak. The Mavericks are 2-1-1 over their last four games, and UNO is 3-4-2 away from Omaha this season. The Sioux or the UND formerly known as the Sioux, are 5-2-1 at The Ralph this year. This is the last official games for both teams (UND has an exhibition game next weekend) until December 30-31. Needless to say both teams would like to head into break on a good note. NORTH DAKOTA 3-PTS


#13 Denver @ # Bemidji State
Last weekend the Pioneers lost to the CC Tigers in Colorado Springs and the Beavers took three points from the SCSU Huskies in St. Cloud.

The Beavers are hard to figure sometimes, one night they give up five goals the next they shut you out. The next series they give up six the first night and one the next, a bit of Jekyll and Hyde. Denver has been more consistent with their scoring and defense this year than Bemidji. The Pioneers have not fared to well on the road this season owning a 1-3-1 record away from Magness. SPLIT


Alaska-Anchorage @ #6 Colorado College
Last weekend the Seawolves were swept at home by North Dakota and the Tigers beat the Pioneers in their one game in overtime.

The Tigers remain purr-fect at home this season boosting a 5-0-0 record at world arena, thanks to a overtime game winning penalty shot last Friday night. The Seawolves are 1-4-1 away from Anchorage this year. The Seawolves need to find a way to score goals, they have scored only 20 goals in 12 league games. The Tigers need play their game, and use their speed to their advantage on the big sheet of ice. TIGERS SWEEP


Michigan Tech @ #2 Minnesota
Last weekend the Huskies got swept by the Bulldogs in Duluth and the Gophers swept the MSU Mavericks in Minneapolis.

The Huskies got off to a fast start and now have cooled down, going 2-5-0 in their last seven games, with the wins coming over UAA and St. Lawrence. The guys from Houghton have been scoring this year, so they just need to shore up their own end. The Gophers rebounded last weekend after stumbling at Michigan State. The Gophers are tough at home this year sporting a 8-1-0 record at Mariucci arena. Tech needs to right their ship before Christmas break, but this is a tough task this weekend. GOPHERS SWEEP


#1 Minnesota-Duluth @ Wisconsin Badgers
Last weekend the Bulldogs swept the MTU Huskies in Duluth and the Badgers enjoyed a weekend off.

The Bulldogs haven’t lost a game since October 15th against the Gophers, and are unbeaten on the road, going 4-0-2 this season. This is the start of a six game road trip for UMD, but they have the Christmas break in their too. After this weekend, they don’t play again until January 6-7 at Western Michigan. The Badgers are good at the Kohl center this year going 7-3-0, but away from home they are 0-5-1. I’m not sure who will be favored; okay I’m sure UMD will be with their ranking. SPLIT


NON-CONFERENCE

Alabama-Huntsville @ Minnesota State
Last weekend the Mavericks were swept by the Gophers in Minneapolis and the Chargers split with the UNO Mavericks in Huntsville.

The Chargers got their first win of the season on Friday night, which now mover their record to 1-15-1 this year. The Mavericks have most of their wounded back, so look for them to start coming together this weekend. MAVERICKS SWEEP


BYE WEEK
St. Cloud State Huskies