Weekend Match-Ups (by Donn)

We have now hit the home stretch of the schedule; it is pretty much all NCHC games that rest of the way.

NCHC STANDINGS 2013-2014

Team………………………W-L-T-SW………Points

St. Cloud St……………….7-3-2-0…………...23
North Dakota………………7-5-0-0……….….21
Denver…………………..…6-4-2-1…………..21
Nebraska-Omaha…………6-4-2-1…………..21
Western Michigan………..6-5-1-1…………...20
Minnesota-Duluth…………5-6-1-1……….….17
Miami………………………3-8-1-1….…….….11
Colorado College……….. 2-7-3-1…….….….10

NCHC Games

Miami @ Colorado College

Last weekend the RedHawks split with the Mavericks (2-2sow, 5-1L) in Oxford and the Tigers tied and lost to the Providence Friars (2-2ot, 7-2) in Colorado Springs.

Who would have thought that Miami would be one point ahead of the last place team in January?  The RedHawks need a sweep this weekend if they want to try and salvage this season.  The Tigers are in the same boat as the RedHawks, they need points, and fast.  This is a chance to get back into a race for home ice in the first round, get swept and uh-oh, you’re all by yourself in the basement.  RedHawks Sweep.

#18 North Dakota @ #16 Denver

Last weekend NoDak tied (in Bemidji) and beat (in Grand Forks) the Beavers (1-1, 4-2) and the Pioneers split with the Bulldogs (3-2Wot, 2-2sol) in Duluth.

These longtime rivals get to renew their acquaintances this weekend in Denver.  But now DU has a new head coach in this series, the first time since Hakstol took over at UND nine years ago.  I don’t predict any “fighting” in this series since they are tied in the standings and no one wants to be suspended for a game.  NoDak is playing well as of late and so is Denver.  SPLIT

Minnesota Cup Tournament

MSU-Mankato (14-10-0) vs UMD (9-9-2)

Last weekend the Mavericks swept the Ferris State Bulldogs (6-2, 4-3) in Mankato and the Bulldogs split with the Pioneers (3-2Lot, 2-2sow) in Duluth.

With this being a tournament and in-state bragging rights it’s safe to say all the teams will be playing to win this thing.  I’m going with the Mavericks, just because they have some momentum in their corner.  MAVERICKS WIN

#5 SCSU (12-4-4) vs #1 Minnesota (17-2-3)

Last weekend the Huskies were swept by the Broncos (5-5sol, 2-1) in St. Cloud and the Gophers swept the Buckeyes (1-0, 4-2) in Minneapolis.

The Huskies will be looking to bounce back this weekend and prove they are one of the elite teams in the country.  And if they knock of the Gophers that will prove they belong in the top five.  HUSKIES WIN

The winners play each other and the losers play each other on Saturday.  So if my Friday night predictions are correct, that would end up with SCSU versus MSU-M for the championship and UMD vs UM for third place.  MSUM wins the title and UM takes third.

Bye Week

Nebraska-Omaha

#19 Western Michigan

Mike Chambers; Landon Smith: BCHL scoring leader, NHL free agent, former Denver and North Dakota recruit, makes character move

Salmon Arm Silverbacks (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

First off, for the person that made the quip about Brad not reporting on this story, Hakstol can't comment about any recruit that hasn't signed a letter of intent. So, that's that...

Lastly, historically, said beat writer likes to stir the pot when it comes to UND fans.

Mike Chambers, Denver Post --- According to Smith’s father and several friends of the Smith family, Landon Smith was asked to replace North Dakota freshman Adam Tambellini, who left school this month to play major-junior for the Calgary Hitmen. Tambellini was a third-round draft pick last June and Smith could make a small fortune as an NHL free agent — judging from his 37 goals in 45 games for the Salmon Arm Silverbacks.

ooo … is Smith going to play AGAINST Denver this weekend? No, his father said, because Landon plans on keeping his commitment to Quinnipiac and refuses to run out on his Salmon Arm teammates.

Character folks! Landon Smith had an unbelievable opportunity to invisibly point his middle finger at DU by playing against the Pioneers this weekend, but he’s not taking it and going with his natural instinct of honoring his word.

Make no mistake, I’m not bashing Montgomery. Gwozdecky’s successor has every right to bring in his “own” guys and Smith never signed a letter of intent (because Gwozdecky’s word, at the time when he was the coach, was golden), and Montgomery’s “own” guys coming in next fall must be exactly what he wants because he currently has just two seniors, thus scholarship money is extremely tight.

Some NCHC Stats

Here's a look at some of the NCHC statistics that I broke down for a post that was originally posted on the Hockey Writers. 

NCHC Goaltending Save Percentage Leaders (all games) – min 10 games.

1   Sam Brittain, DU, .935
Tie Lukas Hafner, WMU, .935
3    Ryan McKay, MU, .921
4    Zane Gothberg, UND, .916
5    Ryan Faragher, SCSU, .912

NCHC goaltending goals against average (all games) – min 10 games.

1    Lukas Hafner, WMU, 1.61
2    Sam Brittain, DU, 2.04
3    Zane Gothberg, UND, 2.20
4    Ryan Faragher, SCSU, 2.42
5    Ryan McKay, MU, 2.50

NCHC scoring offense (conference games)

1    St. Cloud State, 3.25 GPG
2    Western Michigan, 3.17 GPG
3    Nebraska-Omaha, 3.00 GPG
4    North Dakota, 2.92 GPG
5    Minnesota Duluth, 2.83 GPG>
6    Denver, 2.58 GPG
7    Miami, 2.42 GPG
8    Colorado College, 2.08 GPG

Scoring Defense NCHC games (goals against)

1    Denver, 2.33
Tie St. Cloud State, 2.33
3    Nebraska-Omaha, 2.42
4    Western Michigan, 2.83
5    Minnesota Duluth, 3.00
6    Miami, 3.08
Tie North Dakota, 3.08
8    Colorado College, 3.17

NCHC Rankings scoring offense (National)

7    St. Cloud State, 3.50
18  Miami, 3.14
22  Nebraska-Omaha 3.00
28  North Dakota, 2.86
31  Minnesota Duluth, 2.75
34  Western Michigan 2.71
38  Denver, 2.59
58  Colorado College, 1.77

NCHC Rankings scoring defense (National)

5    Denver, 2.12
14    St. Cloud State, 2.35
16   Western Michigan, 2.38
31   North Dakota, 2.73
32   Minnesota Duluth, 2.75
33   Miami, 2.77
45   Nebraska Omaha, 3.18
49   Colorado College,  3.36

NCHC  College Hockey Stats Net (College Hockey Stats)
NCHC Statistics (nchchockey.com)
National Statistics NCAA Division I (National Statistics)

Related articles

• NCHC Hockey: No Second Thoughts or Regrets (thehockeywriters.com)
• NCHC Hockey: Breaking Down the Numbers at the Half Way Point (thehockeywriters.com)
• UND Hockey: The Weekend in Review (thehockeywriters.com)
• NCAA Hockey: There Has to Be a Better Way (thehockeywriters.com)
• NCHC Hockey: Breaking Down the Numbers Half Way Point (thehockeywriters.com)

(Video) UND vs. BSU 1-1

Stick tap to Lakeland Public Television's Scott Williams and Eric Monsrud with the call. Goals by UND's Rocco Grimaldi and BSU's Cory Ward.

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NCHC Hockey: Frozen Faceoff Logo revealed

Here's the faceoff logo for the inaugural NCHC Frozen Faceoff. Let the NCHC haters pick it to part. s/t to Joe Paisley.

UND Hockey: Who's hot for UND

UND forward Mark MacMillan is playing really well right now. MacMillan scored a goal that ends up being the second best goal of the week in the NCHC and the third best goal of the week in NCAA Division I hockey. So tap of the stick to Easy Mac.

Here's who's on a hot streak for the UND hockey team.

Forward Rocco Grimaldi has seven-game points streak (3g-5a—8pts).

Forward Michael Parks has four-game points streak (2g-3a—5pts).

Forward Luke Johnson has scored points in 5-of-6 games (3g-4a—7pts).

In the last six games, UND defenseman Jordan Schmaltz has (0g-7a—7pts).

In the last five weekend series, forward Connor Gaarder has at least a point, each weekend (2g-5a—7pts).

During the seven-game win streak, goalie Zane Gothberg 7-0-0, 1.86 GAA, and a .926 save percentage.

Forward Bryn Chyzyk returned from a month suspension and scored (1g-2a—3pts) last weekend and now has (3g-4a—7pts) for the season.

And MacMillan's Saturday goal is No. 3 on the @NCAAIceHockey Top 5 Goals of the Week: http://t.co/hPZtiw8PQo
— North Dakota MHockey (@UNDMHockey) January 14, 2014

Mark MacMillan's goal from Friday night is No. 2 on the @TheNCHC's Top 5 Goals of the Week: https://t.co/KTESXUiibh
— North Dakota MHockey (@UNDMHockey) January 14, 2014

Related articles

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UND Hockey: Dillon Simpson named NCHC Defensive player of the week

UND defenseman Dillon Simpson was named NCHC Defenseman of the week. This is the second time this season, that Simpson has received the player of the week award.

DEFENSEMAN OF THE WEEK
Dillon Simpson, North Dakota, Senior Defenseman, Edmonton, Alta.

Simpson was strong at both ends of the ice to lead North Dakota to a sweep of Colorado College and extend UND’s winning streak to seven. In the series, he recorded three points on a goal and two assists, while also blocking five shots. In Friday’s 5-3 win, the captain assisted on North Dakota’s first goal while scoring the game-winning goal in the closing seconds of the second period to earn third star of the game honors. The next night, Simpson again assisted on the game’s first goal and blocked three shots. The Edmonton Oilers prospect finished with an even +/- rating in the series and leads NCHC defensemen with 11 points in league play. Simpson has now won NCHC Defenseman of the Week twice this year (Nov. 11).

Related articles

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Compare and Contrast, Bryn Chyzyk and Adam Tambellini

I put this on my facebook page, but it applies.

Compare and contrast, a kid that was already on a team left at the first hint of adversity. Another kid, had that chance taken away from him and upon returning, talked about missing his teammates and thanked the coaching staff for getting another chance to be a member of that team.

Think about it. Both kids had the same number of points. Tonight, that kid made an immediate impact upon returning to the lineup. Nothing in life is given to you. Everyday is a battle and you have to work for every inch that you take.

In the old days if you were unhappy with the amount of playing time that you received you worked harder. You didn't quit on your teammates you didn't go find another team. You worked your ass off and strived to get better.

I couldn't be more happy for Bryn Chyzyk... He could have quit, but he kept at it. Go get em kid.

UND Hockey: UND vs. C.C. Game One Lines

UND Forward Lines

9 Drake Caggiula–19 Rocco Grimaldi–27 Luke Johnson
21 Brendan O’Donnell–16 Mark MacMillan–15 Michael Parks (A)
29 Bryn Chyzyk–17 Colten St. Clair–Wade Murphy
28 Stephane Pattyn (A)–13 Connor Gaarder–11 Derek Rodwell

UND Defense Pairings

18 Dillon Simpson ©–24 Jordan Schmaltz
5 Nick Mattson–6 Paul LaDue
20 Gage Ausmus–2 Troy Stecher

UND Goalies

31 Zane Gothberg
33 Clarke Saunders

Scratches: 4 –Keaton Thompson, 22 – Andrew Panzarella, 25 – Mitch MacMillan, 26 - Coltyn Sanderson, 30 – Matt Hrynkiw.

Colorado College’s Forward Lines

26 Zach Aman–10 Cody Bradley–17 Charlie Taft
16 Alexander Krushelnyski–9 Sam Rothstein–24 Jared Hanson
18 Scott Wamsganz–21 Jeff Collett–12 Archie Skalbeck
11 Hunter Fejes–14 Jordan GiDiando–28 Alex Roos

Tigers Defense Parings

6 Peter Stoykewych–13 Gustav Olofsson
20 Ian Young–7 Eamonn McDermott
27 Aaron Harstad–5 Jaccob Slavin

Tigers Goalies

39 Josh Thorimbert
29 Courtney Lockwood

On-Ice Officials: 13 – Nick Krebsbach, 33 – Brad Shepherd Lines: 83 – Justin Hills 36 – Brandon Schmidt. 

Looks like We have a split house hold

It's going to be the Civil War at the Slavin house hold tonight #Sioux #Tigers @UNDMHockey @CCTigers pic.twitter.com/GfInrKX1Xa
— Jordan Slavin (@Jslaves7) January 10, 2014

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Pairwise Rankings not looking good for NCHC

Taking a look at the Pairwise Rankings, it's obvious that the NCHC's non-conference record is killing them right now. This screen shot will show you how bleak the situation is right now. If the tourney started today and UND didn't win it's conference tourney, there's a very good chance that they would be on the outside looking in. If UND keeps winning and they should be in. 

NCHC Hockey: Non-Conference Record Should Cause Some Concern for the NCHC.

The NCHC's non-conference record against the Hockey East 5-9-4 and the ECAC 4-7-3 is not very good. This means that the NCHC isn't going to get many teams in the NCAA tourney. UND has a 4-2-2 non-conference record and has two more non-conference games against BSU to improve that non-conference record. 

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• NCHC Hockey: Breaking Down the Numbers (thehockeywriters.com)
• NCAA Hockey: There Has to Be a Better Way (thehockeywriters.com)
• NCHC Hockey: Breaking Down the Numbers at the Half Way Point (thehockeywriters.com)

Weekend Match-Ups (by Donn)

Here we are the first weekend of play in 2014.  The first half of the season seems to have flown by.

NCHC STANDINGS 2013-2014

Team………………………W-L-T………Points

St. Cloud St……………….6-1-1…………...19
Nebraska-Omaha…………5-2-1…………..17
North Dakota………………5-5-0……….….15
Denver…………………..…4-3-1…………..14
Colorado College……….. 2-5-3…….….….10
Miami………………………3-5-0….…….….9
Minnesota-Duluth…………2-2-0……….….6
Western Michigan………..2-2-0…………...6 

Non-Conference Games

Brown (5-6-1) @ #17 Denver (10-6-2)

The Bears are 1-5-0 away from home, which is Providence, R.I., if you’re wondering. The Pioneers are 7-3-0 at home in Magness Arena this season.  I think the Pioneers will catch the Bears hibernating this weekend.  Pioneers Win.

Brown (5-6-1) @ Colorado College (2-12-3)

With the Pioneers waking the sleeping Bears, I say the Tigers will feel their rude awaking anger.  Bears Win.

#19 Nebraska-Omaha (8-7-1) @ New Hampshire (10-10-1)

The Mavericks are 3-2-1 on the road this season and the Wildcats are 3-4-1 at home at the Whittemore Center in Durham.  SPLIT

Exhibition Games

North Dakota vs British Columbia (Fri.) vs Simon Fraser (Sat.)

Last action for NoDak was the sweep of the NMU Wildcats in Grand Forks. It has been two years since NoDak has played in great country of Canada.

UND is riding a 5 game winning streak and, well, this won’t officially effect it, since these are exhibition games.  But here to starting the New Year off right, NoDak wins both games.

US U-18 TEAM @ Minnesota-Duluth

Since it is an exhibition game, it is hard to say who wins… I’m sure UMD will use the game to get everyone back on the ice and playing at game speed.  TIE.

US U-18 TEAM @ #4 St. Cloud St.

Same as above, except SCSU wins.

BYE

#12  Miami

Western Michigan

Lambert on the NCHC....

This is what Ryan Lambert of Puck Daddy fame had to say about the NCHC on CHN. It would be interesting to see how many college hockey games that he has actually watched this season?

NCHC

Colorado College: This would have to be one hell of a “second-half surge.”
Denver: Yeah, 5-3 sounds just about right for a Denver win at UMass. I very much buy that as a reasonable result.

Miami: Riley Barber as captain of the US World Junior team seems like a no-brainer. One of the few returners, and he's very, very good. Given the amount of ice time he's been eating up for the RedHawks this year, he might never come off the ice in Sweden.

Minnesota-Duluth: The reason Justin Crandall isn't a goalie, and instead is the best forward on UMD this season, is that after his brother Aaron and his dad Jeff both played that position, his mom said he couldn't.

Nebraska-Omaha: I guess that yes, it is fair to say Jake Guentzel and Josh Arbcibald have been "key contributors" for the Mavs this season, given that the latter is a point-a-game player and the former is third on the team in assists as a freshman.

North Dakota: Oh a kid from Grand Forks committed to UND? Seems like that was a slam dunk. They've only been recruiting him his whole life.

St. Cloud: The St. Cloud Times gives the Huskies an “A” for the first half, which they say is “grading on a curve.” No need for a curve, they're just one of the best teams in the country.

Western Michigan: Lawson Arena got a scoreboard upgrade over the summer because NCHC rules mandated it, but apparently any talk about a new arena any time soon is just wishful thinking. “Lawson looks very nice,” said WMU athletic director Kathy Beauregard, stretching things a little.

So, we are to  believe that the National Collegiate Hockey Conference was built on entitlement, I find that statement interesting. So, only the Big Ten Hockey Conference was allowed to forward their interests. All others had to stand fast. Actually, if anything, the re-alignment allowed a team (UAH) to find a conference and this will allow for future expansion. I am not convinced that we're done moving teams around, just yet.

This seems not to have stopped the NCHC from trying to make itself more impressive, which is apparently the kind of thing we should have come to expect from a league built on entitlement more than anything else. When the Big Ten was announced, all the “prestige” programs, or whatever you want to call them, that were being left behind in the CCHA and WCHA simply decided that they couldn't be bothered slumming it against these other, lesser programs which were beneath their status and probably contempt, and thus was born the “National” Collegiate Hockey Conference, which is a curious name considering that on a geographical basis it ignores all the parts of the nation not between Ohio and Colorado.

That there was a fan vote to name the finals of the conference tournament is all good and well, and settling on the Frozen Faceoff (perhaps by design not more than a little evocative of “Frozen Four”) earlier this month, which beat out the NCHC Championship, is a little icky but not in the end that big of a deal.

Outdoor rink pictures - from the John Buccigross twitter feed

@Buccigross on the pond in Park City, UT #pond #hockey pic.twitter.com/6H5rlLhASb
— Chris Tatti (@cltatti) December 26, 2013

Some of these are really cool... s/t @Buccigross... When I used to live in International Falls, Minnesota we used to play hockey on the outdoor rinks all of the time.

@Buccigross Christmas morning skate in Manchester NH pic.twitter.com/lEpcZKhufO
— Aaron True (@Austinsdad01) December 26, 2013

@Buccigross a little pond puck in Clarkston, MI pic.twitter.com/pN22h1DMpi
— Joe Harrington (@mrjoeharrington) December 26, 2013

@Buccigross living in #Paradise. @RobertsOnTheMic @Squiibs pic.twitter.com/Pfpax8rdGc
— Max Roberts (@WhoIsMaxRoberts) December 26, 2013

@Buccigross great day for some pond puck here in Grand Rapids, Michigan #MittenPride #PureMichigan pic.twitter.com/LMFhSB7tk3
— Matt Cavender (@TheRealMC19) December 26, 2013

@Buccigross brother, dad and uncles clearing the rink in the hometown of #lanny Hanna, ab great day for a skate pic.twitter.com/8Wmty2FfRL
— mark hein (@markghein) December 26, 2013

@Buccigross Merry Christmas, How about some backyard curling? pic.twitter.com/LM0ZxA80CS
— Dr E (@puckchuk) December 26, 2013

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Hump Day Links

I just searched the Barns and Noble site and there's not a version for the Nook E-Books yet.

Not done with your holiday shopping? Check out @MickHatten's tale of St. Cloud State's 2012-13 season: http://t.co/vhlPOK6wZK
— Matthew Semisch (@matthewsemisch) December 17, 2013

The Mid Season grades are out on USCHO...

UND gets a B grade. MT @TheNCHC: .@USCHO writer @matthewsemisch grades each of the NCHC teams at the midseason break http://t.co/71Y9liSO6p
— North Dakota MHockey (@UNDMHockey) December 18, 2013

North Dakota leads @TheNCHC in points by defenseman with 47, & the 2.61 PPG provided by the blueliners ranks 3rd nationally.
— Sioux Tradition (@SiouxTradition) December 17, 2013

Nick Mattson clearly not happy with my postgame interview questions pic.twitter.com/h62oMF5ufS
— Schlossman (@SchlossmanGF) December 17, 2013

Bet you didn't know we have pond hockey here in AZ did you? @Buccigross #flagstaff #lakemary #nofilter pic.twitter.com/s5ob32AGGk
— John Isbell (@thejohnisbell25) December 17, 2013

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NCHC Top Five goals of the Week... Luke Johnson 4th

UND forward Luke Johnson with the fourth best goal of the week in the NCHC.

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Mining Gazette: Scheduling still a struggle for Wildcats in new college hockey landscape

Here’s an interesting article that I found in the Mining Journal. Personally, I really enjoyed the Non-conference matchup between the two teams. Historically, there were some good matchups between the two teams, when they played in the same conference.

Matt Wellens, Mining Gazette, Les Wong was NMU's president at the time and having previously been employed as a vice president at Valley City State University in North Dakota, Wong was interested in the Wildcats playing the team then known as the Fighting Sioux, so Kyle set up the deal.

"We've always wanted to play the bulk of our nonconference against the old WCHA schools because our fans would like that," Kyle said. "I think it's great when we get a chance to do that.

"(UND) is a great opponent. They are always perennially good year in and year out. It's a great environment every year."

Kyle hopes this weekend's one-way trip to North Dakota will spark a scheduling relationship that eventually leads to UND playing a series in Marquette. The two schools haven't played each other anywhere since NMU originally left the WCHA after the 1996-97 season.

But Kyle wants to avoid two-for-one deals that would involve, for example, two series played in Grand Forks and one in Marquette over three seasons.

Obviously, the coaching staff has to do what’s best for the team, and make their schedule based on what they think is best for the team in the long run. With the NCHC having eight-teams, there’s an opportunity for them to play a lot of non-conference matchups.... But I would love to see UND play the Northern Michigan Wildcats in the future going forward. NMU plays a brand of hockey that’s fun to watch.

Thursday Night Links: "Through These Doors" and 2015 West Regional

It's almost game day, so that means one thing... Another episode of "Through These Doors". Last week, I took a look at the UND reality series.

Walked into the presser on Wednesday. On my way in to the press conference, I chatted briefly with sophomore forward Colton St. Clair and that kid was happy, he was going to skate with the team full practice.  UND misses his skill set, he performs a role that is very valuable.

UND Hockey: Taking a Look at the Reality Series “Through These Doors” - http://t.co/rZsraPiqXb #hockey pic.twitter.com/oCWc08ZZiS
— The Hockey Writers (@TheHockeyWriter) December 6, 2013

UND Hockey: UND to Host 2015 West Regional at Scheels Arena - http://t.co/j8aHNGvSOp #hockey pic.twitter.com/HiBkdaZSDX
— The Hockey Writers (@TheHockeyWriter) December 13, 2013

Weekend Match-Ups (by Donn)

Here we are the last weekend of play, for most teams anyway, before the Christmas break.  The first half of the season seems to have flown by, before we know it, it will be 2014!

NCHC STANDINGS 2013-2014

Team………………………W-L-T………Points

St. Cloud St……………….6-1-1…………...19
Nebraska-Omaha…………5-2-1…………..17
North Dakota………………5-5-0……….….15
Denver…………………..…4-3-1…………..14
Colorado College……….. 2-5-3…….….….10
Miami………………………3-5-0….…….….9
Minnesota-Duluth…………2-2-0……….….6
Western Michigan………..2-2-0…………...6 

NCHC Games

Western Michigan @ # Minnesota-Duluth

Last weekend Broncos were swept (3-2, 3-2) by NoDak in Kalamazoo and the Bulldogs were swept (4-2, 5-1) by the Huskies in Duluth.

Both the Broncos and the Bulldogs are sitting at .500 in the league standings, so neither team has any reason to play desperate this weekend.  However, a sweep by one team would vault them up the standings.  Looking at overall records I have to give the nod to the home team this weekend.  BULLDOGS 3-pts

Non-Conference Games

#20 Denver (8-6-2) @ #18 Rensselaer (8-5-3)

Last weekend the Pioneers split (3-1W, 4-2L) with the RedHawks in Oxford and Engineers tied Quinnipiac (3-3ot) and beat Princeton (5-3) at home in Troy, NY.

The Engineers are playing well at home, with a 4-1-3 record at Houston Fieldhouse this season (NHL size).  The Pioneers are decent on the road with a 1-2-2 record away from Denver.  With these teams having almost identical records, I’m say they stay that way with each team getting a win.  SPLIT – RPI wins Friday, DU wins Saturday

#10 Union (10-3-2) @ #1 St. Cloud St. (11-1-2)

Last weekend the Huskies swept  (4-2, 5-1) the Bulldogs in Duluth and the Dutchmen beat Princeton (3-0) and Quinnipiac (6-4) at home in Schenectady, NY.

This should be a good series in St. Cloud with both teams ranked in the top 10.  The Huskies only loss this this season was to Miami.  The Dutchmen have only lost to Colgate, and dropped a series to Lake Superior State.  With that in mind, Union has had a softer schedule then the Huskies.  SCSU has too much talent and depth for the Dutchmen to handle over a weekend of play.  HUSKIES SWEEP 

Colorado College (2-10-3) @ #15 Wisconsin (6-5-1)

Last weekend the Tigers took 3-pts (4-2, 3-3ot) from the Mavericks in Colorado Springs and the Badgers

The Tigers went winless in the month of November, but have started off December on the right skate.  The Badgers are undefeated in Madison this year and with CC coming to town this weekend (and UAH next weekend), they might be able to keep that record intact until 2014.  I said might; I think CC will steal a game from the former WCHA rival.  SPLIT – CC wins Friday, UW wins Saturday 

Northern Michigan (6-8-2) @ North Dakota (7-7-2)

Last weekend the Wildcats were swept by Minnesota State (3-2, 3-0) in Mankato and NoDak swept the Broncos (3-2, 3-2) in Kalamazoo.

Has NoDak finally found their stride, it is closing in on Christmas and we all know they seem to win more games around and especially after Christmas.  If you are old enough you know that NMU was a WCHA member for many years and has a history with UND.  Thus the guys from Marquette are no strangers to the guys in Grand Forks.  The Wildcats are winless in their last four games and NoDak is on a three game winning streak.  I say they keep on their streaks.  NODAK SWEEP

Denver (8-6-2) @ Massachusetts (4-11-2) (Tuesday)

The Pioneers go a little farther East to Amherst, MA after their weekend in Troy, NY.
The Minutemen play at Colgate this weekend.

I’m going with the Pioneers here, just on a hunch, since this will be both teams third game in five days.

BYE

#12  Miami

#19  Nebraska-Omaha

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UND Hockey: Scheels Arena to host 2015 NCAA West Regional

GRAND FORKS, N.D. – The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) announced today that it has selected the University of North Dakota to host the 2015 NCAA Men’s Hockey West Regional Championship at Scheels Arena in Fargo.

The sites were selected by the respective sport committees, which are made up of coaches and administrators from NCAA member schools and conferences, and approved by the appropriate divisional championships cabinets/committees.

“We are honored and excited to have been awarded the 2015 NCAA Men’s West Regional,” said UND Director of Athletics Brian Faison. “This hosting opportunity is the result of a great team effort partnering UND with Ralph Engelstad Arena and Scheels Arena.”

Scheels Arena is the home of the United States Hockey League’s Fargo Force franchise. It has also previously hosted the 2009 IIHF World U18 Hockey Championship.

“Sheels Arena will be a great venue for the 2015 NCAA West Regional tournament,” said UND head men’s hockey coach Dave Hakstol. “It’s a first-class facility that is within driving distance for the fans of several college hockey programs. The atmosphere in the building should be second-to-none within regional competition.”

“We are confident that a NCAA Men’s West Region Tournament will be a huge success in Fargo. Scheels Arena provides a great off-campus location for a regional tournament and we look forward to the tournament returning to North Dakota,” said Ralph Engelstad Arena general manager Jody Hodgson.

“We are extremely excited to host Division I hockey in our venue and in our city,” said Scheels Arena general manager Jon Kram. “Even more than that, we are pleased to be working in conjunction with the University of North Dakota and Ralph Engelstad Arena. It is a testament to the willingness of the organizations to work together to ensure our communities have access to elite events such as this one when so often we are thought of as competitors by the general public. It sets the stage for future partnerships that will continue to enhance the communities in which we live and operate.”

Ticket information, including on-sale dates and pricing, will be announced at a later date

Mark MacMillan on UND hosting the '15 regional in Fargo: It's nice for our fans who usually have to travel all over the country to watch us.
— North Dakota MHockey (@UNDMHockey) December 11, 2013

UND will host the 2015 NCAA Men's Ice Hockey Regional at Scheels Arena in Fargo. @UNDMHockey
— Jayson Hajdu (@UNDSID) December 11, 2013

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• NCAA Hockey: There Has to Be a Better Way (thehockeywriters.com)
• NCAA Women's Hockey Weekly Round-Up: December 11th, 2013 (thehockeywriters.com)