WCHA Power Rankings: Week 15

Here is the week 15 WCHA Power Rankings. This season, I have been doing the WCHA Power Rankings with Taylor Seibel who is a contributor of College Hockey Weekly.

1. Minnesota Gophers – (17-3-4, WCHA 9-3-4) – This past week, the Minnesota Gophers took (5-1 W – 4-4 T) three points against UND at Mariucci Arena. This weekend, the Gophers play a home and home series with Minnesota State Mankato.

2. University of North Dakota – (13-7-4, WCHA 8-4-4) – This past weekend, UND took (1-5 L – 4-4 T) one point in their series against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at Mariucci Arena. This weekend, UND entertains Saint Cloud State University at the Ralph Englestad Arena.

3. Saint Cloud State – (14-10-0, WCHA 11-5-0) – This past weekend, the Huskies swept (5-2 W – 5-1 W) the Denver Pioneers at the national hockey center. This weekend, the Huskies travel to Grand Forks to play North Dakota.

4. Nebraska Omaha – (13-9-2, WCHA 9-5-2) – This past weekend, the Mavericks were off. This weekend, the Mavericks travel to Bemidji to play the Beavers. The Beavers have had the Red Mavericks number since they joined the WCHA going an unimpressive 2-8-4. A bad weekend in Bemidji could doom the Mavericks chances at winning a MacNaughton Cup.

5.  Denver University – (13-8-4, WCHA 8-6-4) – This past weekend, the Denver Pioneers were swept (2-5 L – 1-5 L) by the Huskies at the National Hockey Center. This weekend, the Pioneers travel to Duluth to play the Bulldogs at Amsoil Arena.

6.  Wisconsin – (9-8-5, WCHA 6-5-5) – This past weekend, the Wisconsin Badgers split (1-0 W – 1-2 L) their weekend series with the Miami RedHawks. This weekend, the Badgers make the Entertain the Seawolves at the Kohl Center.

7. Minnesota State Mankato – (15-8-3, WCHA 9-8-1) – This past weekend, the Mavericks took (3-3 T – 4-0 W) three points from the Seawolves, in Anchorage, Alaska. This weekend, the Mavericks play the Minnesota Gophers in a home and home series.

8. Minnesota Duluth – (10-11-3, WCHA 8-7-3) – This past weekend, the Bulldogs split (3-2 W – 1-5 L) their Series against the Colorado College Tigers at World Arena. This weekend, the Bulldogs have an exhibition game against the U-18 team.

 9. Colorado College – (10-14-2, WCHA 7-10-1) – This past weekend, the Colorado College Tigers split (2-3 L – 5-1 W) their series with the Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs at the World Arena. This weekend, the Tigers are off.

 10. Michigan Tech – (7-12-4, WCHA 4-10-3) – This past weekend, the Huskies took (4-0 W – 2-2 T) three points from the Bemidji State Beavers at John J. MacInnes Student Ice Arena. This weekend, the Huskies are off.

11. Bemidji State – (5-12-5, WCHA 4-8-4) – This past weekend, the Beavers took, (0-4 L 2-2 T) on point against the Michigan Tech Huskies at the John J. MacInnes Student Ice Arena. This weekend, the Beavers entertain the Nebraska Omaha Mavericks at the Sanford Center. The Beavers hold an 8-2-4 record against the Mavericks. The Beavers have an all-time record of 8-4-4 against the Mavericks.

12. Alaska Anchorage – (3-13-4, WCHA 1-13-4) – This past weekend, Seawolves took (3-3 T – 0-4 L) one point from the Minnesota State Mavericks at the Sullivan Arena. This weekend, the Seawolves travel to Madison to play the Wisconsin Badgers at the Kohl Center. The Seawolves are mired in horrible streak and have won one game in the last 18 games (1-13-4).

Taylors Seibel’s WCHA Power Rankings

1. Minnesota – (17-3-4, 9-3-4 WCHA) – Minnesota cemented their status as the top squad in the WCHA with a 3 point weekend over North Dakota.  Next weekend, the Gophers play Minnesota State in a home and away WCHA series.

2. North Dakota – (13-7-4, 8-4-4 WCHA) – North Dakota struggled on Friday, falling to Minnesota 5-1, but responded well in a 4-4 draw that saw UND lose a 4-2 lead with less than 10 minutes left.  Next weekend, UND hosts SCSU.

3. St. Cloud State – (14-10-0, 11-5-0 WCHA) – SCSU vaulted into first place after sweeping Denver at home.  Next weekend, SCSU travels to Grand Forks to take on North Dakota.

4. Nebraska Omaha – (13-9-2, 9-5-2 WCHA) – Omaha was off this past weekend.  Next weekend, the Mavericks travel to Bemidji State in WCHA play.

5. Denver – (13-8-4, 8-6-4 WCHA) – Denver saw their 4 year run without getting swept in WCHA play end this weekend up in St. Cloud.  The Pioneers are off next weekend.

6. Wisconsin – (9-8-5, 6-5-5 WCHA) – The Badgers split with CCHA foe Miami this weekend.  Next weekend, the Badgers host Alaska Anchorage in WCHA action.

7. Minnesota State – (15-8-3, 9-8-1 WCHA) – The Mavericks took three points in Anchorage this past weekend, but Mankato will need to improve their play next weekend as they square off against Minnesota in a home and away conference series.

8. Minnesota Duluth – (10-11-3, 8-7-3 WCHA) – The Bulldogs split their series with the CC Tigers this weekend.  Next weekend, Duluth takes on the USA Under-18 Squad in an exhibition game.

9. Colorado College – (10-14-2, 7-10-1 WCHA) – The CC Tigers split with Duluth at home this weekend.  Next weekend, the Tigers are off.

10. Michigan Tech – (7-12-4, 4-10-4 WCHA) – Michigan Tech took three points from the visiting Bemidji State squad.  Next weekend, Michigan Tech is off.

11. Bemidji State – (5-11-5, 4-8-4 WCHA) – The Beavers managed a draw with the Huskies of Tech on Saturday to salvage a point in their series.  Next weekend, Bemidji hosts Omaha in WCHA play.

12. Alaska Anchorage – (3-14-5, 1-13-4 WCHA) – The Seawolves managed to take 1 point from the visiting Mavericks of Mankato.  Next weekend, Anchorage travels to Madison to take on conference foe Wisconsin.

Related articles

• WCHA Power Rankings: Week 14 (insidehockey.com)

Things aren't all that bad... Sky not falling yet.

	WCHA Games								Overall
	GP	W	L	T	Pts	GF	GA		W	L	T	GF	GA
Minnesota	16	9	3	4	22	56	39		17	3	4	93	45
St. Cloud State	16	11	5	0	22	55	36		14	10	0	80	61
Nebraska Omaha	16	9	5	2	20	59	49		13	9	2	88	67
North Dakota	16	8	4	4	20	57	46		13	7	4	81	64
Denver	18	8	6	4	20	57	54		13	8	4	85	67
Minnesota Duluth	18	8	7	3	19	50	51		10	11	3	64	68
Minnesota State	18	9	8	1	19	55	46		15	8	3	82	60
Wisconsin	16	6	5	5	17	35	36		9	8	5	49	45
Colorado College	18	7	10	1	15	60	66		10	14	2	88	94
Bemidji State	16	4	8	4	12	36	49		5	12	5	48	66
Michigan Tech	18	4	10	4	12	44	61		7	12	4	63	71
Alaska Anchorage	18	1	13	4	6	31	62		3	14	5	42	73

Year Before Xmas ------After Xmas 

2004-05 13-7-2 (.636) 12-8-3 (.587)

2005-06 12-7-1 (.625) 17-9-0 (.654)

2006-07 7-10-1 (.417) 17-4-4 (.760)

2007-08 8-6-1 (.567) 20-5-3 (.768)

2008-09 9-8-1 (.528) 15-7-3 (.660)

2009-10 9-6-3 (.583) 16-7-2 (.680)

2010-11 13-5-2 (.700) 19-4-1 (.813)

2011-12 9-8-1 (.528) 17-5-2 (.750)

2012-13 10-5-3 (.639) 3-2-1 (.583)

Totals 91-62-15 (.586) 135-51-19 (.704)

Here are the numbers that Jayson Hajdu has put together, UND after this weekend's Minnesota series, has a .709 winning percentage during the second half of the season under coach Dave Hakstol. 

Crunching the numbers, UND isn't sitting too bad on January 20, 2013. I know early, but even after only taking one point in their weekend series against the Minnesota Gophers, UND is tied for sixth in the Pairwise Rankings with UMass Lowell. 

Related articles

• Week 13 Wcha Power Rankings (ndgoon.blogspot.com)
• Week 14 Power Rankings (ndgoon.blogspot.com)

Lets keep the Corban Knight Jihad going.

Let's keep her going, and keep Corban Knight in the lead in fan voting for the Hobey Baker. Click to vote.

Related articles

• Making the case for Corban Knight for Hobey Baker (thehockeywriters.com)
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Drew Stafford vs. Scott Hartnell

These kinds of hits have to be banned from hockey. Buffalo forward Tyler Ennis is 157 pounds soaking wet, and Flyers forward Scott Hartnell is a bull at 210 pounds, and he buries Ennis from behind.  No penalty on the play. You have to give former Fighting Sioux forward Drew Stafford credit for answering the call. 

Tom Miller nails it UND vs. UMN

North Dakota highway shield (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

If you haven't read the Grand Forks Herald on-line newspaper you should head on over and check out Tom Miller's article about the UND vs. UMN Hockey rivalry. I guess not everyone is gobbling up what Minnesota coach Don Lucia is shoveling.

“(The atmosphere) was good all weekend,” Lucia said. “Our fans get pumped for big games. Boston College and Notre Dame were great atmospheres, too.”

Seriously, Don? Give it up. Clearly, there is no replacing the UND-Minnesota rivalry. No other matchup will hold a candle to North Dakota-Minnesota. The fans know it. The players know it. In fact, everyone seems to know it but Lucia.

All weekend long you have ex-players on both sides of the ice talking about the rivalry and how great it is. Former Gopher and Sioux players going on and on about how great the rivalry, then you have Donny Lucia giving his petty reasons why the rivalry is taking a break. Give it up Donny.

Related articles

• Sioux nickname reason UND's not playing UMN (ndgoon.blogspot.com)
• A few things... UMN vs. UND (ndgoon.blogspot.com)
• (Video) UND vs. UMN (ndgoon.blogspot.com)
• Game Day; UND vs. UMN (ndgoon.blogspot.com)
• Breaking down the Minnesota vs. North Dakota Rivalry (thehockeywriters.com)
• Minnesota hesitant to play North Dakota in hockey for now... (thehockeywriters.com)

UND 4 UMN 4 (Video)

First off, UND has to be better on defense. What is historically a strength of "most" UND teams, was a weakness this past weekend. There were way too many turnovers deep in their own end that ended up behind Zane Gothberg and Clarke Saunders. That's unacceptable.

Second, I thought the goaltending was the Achilles heal this past weekend. Whatever goalie ends up playing going forward, has to be better. I am wasn't impressed with either goalie and thats an area that needs to improve and I expect it will. I still think that Clarke Saunders is the better of the two goalies.

I though that Danny Kristo (14g-17a—31pts), Rocco Grimaldi (8g-11a—19pts) and Corban Knight (11g-22a—33pts) had strong games tonight and they're are having awesome seasons so far. I hope that the RPM line (Rowney, Parks and MacMillam), gets a chance to gel. I thought they were strong, and it's time for those players to start chipping in on a regular basis.

Corban Knight's 19-game point streak is tied for the fourth-longest in school history.

— North Dakota MHockey (@UNDMHockey) January 20, 2013

Related articles

• (Video) UND vs. UMN (ndgoon.blogspot.com)
• Sioux nickname reason UND's not playing UMN (ndgoon.blogspot.com)
• Breaking down the Minnesota vs. North Dakota Rivalry (thehockeywriters.com)
• UND: The Weekend Ahead (1/18-1/19) (thehockeywriters.com)

(Video) Nate Condon goal and a few missed opportunities

If Gophers forward Kyle Rau had to play in a league where fighting wasn't banned he wouldn't yap at Steph Pattyn like that. I also agree with the host, Zach Budish showed some leadership by telling Rau to zip it.

If you talk to some of the players from UND, you will find out that Pattyn was a feared fighter when he was in the MJHL.

During a Wednesday press conference Bryn Chyzyk was asked about forward Steph Pattyn.

It’s funny you ask, I played against him up in Manitoba. I was so scared of that guy, he’s a scary guy to play against, but I defiantly like him a lot better on my team.”



The shorthanded goal by Nate Condon was definitely the turning point in the game. UND gets a power play on an interference call and Minnesota gets a back breaking shorthanded goal. I guess we could discuss the play by the two UND players on the Condon goal, but it’s easy to Saturday morning quarterback. I was wondering why Joe Gleason didn't just yank Condon down on the play. Up until that point, I thought it was a very close game.

Related articles

• UND completes the sweep with late goal from Danny Kristo (thehockeywriters.com)
• Breaking down the Minnesota vs. North Dakota Rivalry (thehockeywriters.com)

(Video) UND vs. UMN

This video is kind of long, I included all five Gopher goals and two questionable penalty calls that didn't go UND's way. I also included 2 minutes of play following one UMN goal, to kind of give a picture of how last night's game went.

I have seen a lot of people pointing their fingers at UND goalie Clarke Saunders, I don't think you can fault him for at least three of the goals last night... On the short handed goal by Nate Condon was a back breaker and there two guys that had poor defensive efforts on that play that, can't happen.

A few things...

Coach Hakstol was on the 9-Noon show today. You can listen here at the 15:15 mark.

If you want to walk down memory lane here is one... [Gopher Homer Alert]

Game Day; UND vs. UMN

Game Day… It’s here, the game that fans and players mark down on their calendar.

This is one of my favorite Rivalries; it’s the day that I can’t wait for, the weekend that I look forward to and the opposition team that I hate the most. When I see the hated “M” I see red.

It’s about bragging rights in the family. My Brother-in-law Andy Brink was once a Golden Rodent.  But he was actually a Sioux fan before he became a Golden Gopher.

“My favorite memory NCAA Memory is from before I played,” Brink said. “I grew up in Bemidji and grew up a Sioux fan. I remember going to Sioux games as a kid and still have a Sioux #20 Bob Joyce jersey. UND’s 1987 NCAA Championship is my fondest memory because I followed that team really close. There were also 2 players from my hometown on their roster and George Pelawa (from Bemidji) would have been a big part of that team had he not died in a car accident in the fall of ’86.”

This is also a sad time as well; I am going to miss bantering with Andy’s Brother Steve who passed away after a battle with Skin Cancer this past year.  We had some great back and forth moments over the years on Facebook. I hope Steve’s watching down from Heaven as tonight, hopefully UND runs over UMN.  

For practical purposes, this is still Sioux vs. Gophers, at least in my mind.  

This is the last time the two teams will play during the regular season for some time. Hall of fame writer Virg Foss has this article in today’s Herald.

Former Gopher Lou Nanne would like to see the rivalry continue.  

UND: The Weekend Ahead (1/18-1/19).

Tyler Buckentine and Joe Paisley from USCHO make their picks for this weekend’s games. Both writers are predicting a split.

Breaking down the Minnesota vs. North Dakota Rivalry.

The Grand Forks Herald has five memorable UND wins… Of those five, the 2005 and 2007 regionals are two of my favorite games.