WCHA Weekly Preview: Feb 29-Mar 2

Denver Pioneers @ Michigan Tech Huskies

Summary: The Pioneers appeared to get back on track a bit last weekend, sweeping UAA, while the Huskies had a rough series, getting swept by SCSU. Both of these teams have plenty to fight for still, as DU could still win the MacNaughton (and could still get a #1 seed in the PWR), and MTU could still finish 4th despite their current 9th place standing.

WWN Says: What happened to the Huskies? Two wins in their last 12 games? This one is a tough call -- the Pios fans are putting on some fun activities during the F4 weekend, but it would also be nice if MeanEgirl could witness a win or two for MTU in her last regular season series at home. Word on the street is that she used up all her eligibility...and the last thing we want is more whining from her. :)

Minnesota Gophers @ Alaska Anchorage Seawolves

Summary: Has this Gopher team found a pulse? They took 3 points from UW last weekend, but will still need some help if they want to finish with home ice or a spot in the NCAA's. How many more OT games can they play? They have a tough opponent this weekend with the Seawolves, who are the best last-placed team in college hockey. Easily.

WWN Says: I really don't know how much more of an emotional roller coaster the Gopher fans can go through this season. The latest PWR has them back in the tourney. I think that UMN still has a few more bumps and turns left in their roller coaster ride, so I'll have to go for a split here. Can the Seawolves pull it off? Well, they do have Suze on their side.

Wisconsin Badgers @ St. Cloud State Huskies

Summary: The Badgers can finish no better than their current 4th place in the standings, but they can certainly fall with 3 teams right on their heels. They play the Huskies, winners of their last 5 games, and only one point behind UW in the standings (with 2 games in hand). This should be a good series, and an important one for both WCHA and NCAA rankings.

WWN Says: The Badgers are on the bubble (along with 3 other WCHA teams) for making the tourney right now. A bad showing against the Huskies could make it an uphill battle for the playoffs. On the other side, the Huskies are currently okay in 9th, but they could also move into the bubble with a subpar performance. This should be playoff hockey here. But who to root for? More whining would probably occur from the UW side if they missed the tourney, being that they are hosting a regional...so I say "Go Huskies!".

Minnesota State Mavericks @ Colorado College Tigers

Summary: The Mavericks had their 7-game winning streak snapped in their last WCHA game against UW, but that streak enabled them to climb the standings and now they are firmly in the fight for home ice. The Tigers, meanwhile, are fighting to keep their #1 seed in the PWR and trying to hold off UND for the MacNaughton.

WWN Says: One loss to UNO, and MSUM moved from a 2nd seed all the way down to the cusp of missing the NCAA's. I wonder what a couple losses to CC would do to them? CC is quite dominant on their home ice, which will be scary for other teams come tourney time, but part of me wants to see the Mavericks back in the NCAA's. It's not like they could do any worse than SCSU!

North Dakota Fighting Sioux @ Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs

Summary: The Sioux are trying to catch CC in the WCHA and trying to stay above Miami in the PWR rankings. A victory or two against the Bulldogs would help both causes. The Bulldogs, after being held scoreless all weekend against CC, needs some points if they want to stay in the race for home ice.

WWN Says: How long will the shutout streak go on for UMD? A win or two for the Bulldogs would do wonders for their PWR, but they might need to score some goals for that to happen. Grandma's vs. El Roco. DHG vs. Dirty. Duluth vs. Grand Forks. Duluth has to win, because of this. But I'm not sure even the Irvin can hold up to the force that is The Oshie.