It’s amazing that it’s taken this long, but after this weekend each WCHA team will have played at least one in-conerence series when Alaska Anchorage travels to Bemidji States.
This weekend also features a sneaky good matchup in the Upper Peninsula that many in the WCHA are paying close to.
Let’s get picking…
Northern Michigan at/vs Michigan Tech
Sean: This may be the best series of the weekend. It’s two well-matched teams in the middle of the standings and each gets a chance to play in front of their home crowd in a home-and-home. It’ll be a low scoring weekend, but the fans on each campus will get to enjoy some 3-on-3 overtime. Wildcats 2-1, Huskies 3-2.
Jack: I agree; this one has split written all over it. This series is usually really entertaining and I don’t expect any different. I guess I’ll pick each team to win at home. Huskies 4-3, Wildcats 3-1
Alaska at Lake Superior State
Sean: The Lakers offense is rolling right now and it’s fun to watch. Alaska is making its first trip to the lower 48 this weekend and is riding high off a nice win against Minnesota State last week. Either way, I see this as a sweep. Lakers 5-2, 4-1.
Jack: I don’t foresee Lake State doing much different this week compared to last — the Nanooks gave up a seven spot to Minnesota State in one of their games last weekend. I see this being a LSSU sweep as well. Lakers 7-4, 5-2
Alaska Anchorage at Bemidji State
Sean: Anchorage is the last team to jump into WCHA play and they have to make a tough trip to Bemidji to open the conference slate. The Beavers have outscored their opponents 10-2 in WCHA play and I expect that trend to continue. Beavers 4-2, 6-1.
Jack: The Seawolves have scored just three goals, total, this season. A bye week last weekend surely helped them a little bit to prepare for their trip to the Lower 48, but I can’t see them doing much against the Beavers. Beavers 3-0, 5-2
Ferris State at Minnesota State
Sean: Both teams have something to prove this weekend. Ferris State needs to prove it can win a game in the WCHA after an 0-3-1 start (they do have a shootout win). Minnesota State wants to prove its loss in Alaska was a fluke. Feels like a split to me. Mavericks 3-2, Bulldogs 4-3.
Jack: I want to think the Bulldogs can break out of their funk this weekend, and if they were in Big Rapids I could see it. Not so sure about it in Mankato, though. Mavericks 4-3, 5-2
Bowling Green at Miami
Sean: Bowling Green hast to get off this slide at some point, right? The Falcons are 0-5-1 and a once staunch defense has allowed 29 goals in six games. A series with former CCHA rival and in-state foe Miami should get the blood boiling and lead to a win. Falcons 3-1, RedHawks 6-2.
Jack: Is this finally the weekend? BG hasn’t looked very good against even the more middling competition they’ve played (that 8-2 loss to Western Michigan particularly looks bad).I think they can eek one out here. Maybe. RedHawks 5-3, Falcons 2-1.
Alabama Huntsville at St. Cloud State
Sean: The Chargers have gotten pretty comfortable, or as comfortable as one can get, with long bus trips. They’ve got another one this week and the results won’t end up in Huntsville’s favor. Huskies 3-1, 2-0.
Jack: The big question here is if the Chargers can keep the games close enough to have a shot at stealing a tie. Maybe they can do it in one game. Not sure if they can do it in two. Even so, it might not be enough. Huskies 2-1, 6-2
