Weekend Match-Ups (by Donn)

Western Collegiate Hockey Association logo (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

We have a full slate of WCHA games this week with all 12 teams in action against each other.  Most teams are down to their last 8 league games coming into this weekend.  The numbers are starting to show who is likely to be on the top half or bottom half of the bracket. A month from now the regular season will wrap up the WCHA as we have known it for about half a century.  The numbers are looking good for the top 4 teams to host first round games, and they will most likely be hosting the current bottom 4 teams.  That leaves the middle 4 teams to sort things out and fight it out for the last two home series.

WCHA STANDINGS 2012-2013

Team………………………W-L-T………Points

1. St. Cloud St……………14-5-1…….….29
2. Nebraska-Omaha….....12-6-2…....…..26
3. Denver…………..……..10-6-4……......24
3. Minnesota……………...10-4-4……..…24
3. North Dakota.………..…9-5-6…….…..24
6. Wisconsin…....…………8-6-6………...22
7. Minnesota State……….10-9-1.…...….21
8. Minnesota-Duluth….…..8-9-3…………19
9. Colorado College ……..7-10-3..…..….17
10. Michigan Tech………..5-11-4…..……14
11. Bemidji State……..…..4-12-4......……12
12. Alaska-Anchorage…...1-15-6…...……8

WCHA Games

Colorado College vs #9 Denver

Last weekend the Tigers tied the Seawolves twice (2-2ot, 3-3ot) in Anchorage and the Pioneers swept the Bulldogs (3-0, 4-3) in Duluth.

The Gold Pan is looking to move up to Denver this season.  Back in mid-November the Pioneers swept the Tigers with a 6-5 win on the road and a 6-2 in Magness Arena.  All DU needs is a tie or win this weekend to capture the Gold Pan.  The Pioneers have been streaky as of late, but appear to be heading in the upward direction.  The Tigers have been chasing their tail since the calendar flipped to December, since then they have just 2 wins.  But like we all know you can throw the records and recent game outcomes out the window for rivalry games. SPLIT

Alaska-Anchorage @ Michigan Tech

Last weekend the Seawolves tied the Tigers twice (2-2ot, 3-3ot) in Anchorage and the Huskies split with the UNO Mavericks (4-3L, 2-1Wot) in Omaha.

The Seawolves have not won a game since Dec-1, and that was against SCSU.  However, the bright side for UAA is they are now on a two game unbeaten streak.  The down side is they only have six league games left, and after MTU, they play at UNO and end the year at DU (they play in-state rival Alaska in between those series).  The Huskies are 2-1-1 in their last four WCHA games.  MTU can relegate the Seawolves to a 12^thplace finish this year, if they can sweep them this year.  If the Huskies can sweep they can try and avoid the top teams in the first round of the league playoffs.  HUSKIES SWEEP

#1 Minnesota @ #8 St. Could St. 
Last weekend the Gophers were off and the Huskies swept the Beavers (4-0, 4-1) in Bemidji.

This is the most important series this weekend, in terms of seeing who will be the controlling their McNaughton Cup title destiny.  Even though SCSU lead UM by five points UM has two games in pocket.  If the Huskies sweep they control their own fate for winning the league.  If UM gets a sweep, they can win the league title, but might need a little help?  SCSU has series at CC, home with MTU, and at UW after this weekend, so they have a favorable schedule to end the season.  With the teams being red hot in 2013, I don’t see anyone losing twice this weekend.  SPLIT

#11 Minnesota State @ Minnesota-Duluth

Last weekend the Mavericks were on a bye and the Bulldogs were swept by the Pioneers (3-0, 4-3) in Duluth.

The Mavericks after a bye weekend find themselves in the bottom half of the standings only two points ahead of the Bulldogs.  The Mavericks have been scoring more goals this year and have been rewarded with more wins.  They need to continue to score three or more a game to give them the opportunity to win.  MSUM can put UMD in the rear view mirror, if they get four points out of Amsoil arena, and improve their chances of getting home ice in the first round.  The Bulldogs still to have hopes of a first round series at home, but need some help to get there.  MAVERICKS 3-pts

#7 North Dakota @ #14 Nebraska-Omaha

Last weekend NoDak took three points from the Badgers (1-1ot, 4-1) in Grand Forks and the Mavericks split the MTU Huskies (4-3W, 2-1Lot) in Omaha.

NoDak plays six of their last eight games on the road.  It starts this weekend with a special game on Saturday, they are playing outside.  With these two teams separated by two points it should be a battle for every inch of ice, well at least of it doesn’t melt outside.  I just hope the weather doesn’t play too much of a factor.  Coach Blais will get welcome his former team to Omaha once again this weekend, NoDak is hoping his team will be a gracious host and give them points this weekend.  SPLIT

Bemidji St. @ #19 Wisconsin

Last weekend the Beavers were swept by the SCSU Huskies (4-0, 4-1) in Bemidji and the Badgers got a point from NoDak (1-1ot, 4-1) in Grand Forks.

The Badgers are currently holding the last home ice playoff spot, but only by a point.  The Beavers are 10 points behind the Badgers for the spot and with only eight games left, which is a pretty tall task.  However, the industrious Beavers can damn up the Badgers chances of getting home ice with taking points out of Madison this weekend.  The Badgers have been, well, awful at the Kohl Center this season, granted they are 5-5-2 their but, those 2 wins are Huntsville and 2 are the Seawolves.  I’m expecting a couple of very low scoring games in Madison this weekend.  I’d be surprised if there was more than four total goals were scored per game.  With that in mind, a bounce here or there could easily determine the winner of these games.  SPLIT