It’s a new week and all 10 WCHA teams are finally in action at the same time. But most importantly, I’d like to introduce my new WCHA partner, Daver Karnosky. He’ll be making picks for the first time this week and will be writing the first column next week. We’ll be going head to head in the picks this week and will start keeping tally from now, but just as a reminder, here’s how I did last week (just OK).
Jack last week: 6-5-1
Jack this season: 15-11-3
Anyway, on to the action. Lots of good games this week:
Michigan Tech at (17) Bowling Green
Michigan Tech was off last weekend after a rough home sweep at the hands of Alaska. They’ve had time to rest up, but will it be enough to beat Bowling Green? I say no, but Daver thinks they have a shot. Either way, I expect some good games both nights.
Jack: Bowling Green sweeps Michigan Tech, 4-3 and 3-1
Daver: Bowling Green 3-1 Friday; Michigan Tech 2-1 Saturday
Northern Michigan at Ferris State
Northern Michigan is playing very well right now, and that excellent comeback last weekend in Boston is going to give them plenty of confidence this week at Ferris.
Jack: Northern Michigan sweeps Ferris State, 5-2 and 4-1
Daver: Northern Michigan sweeps Ferris State, 4-2 and 5-2
(2) Minnesota State at Alabama Huntsville
Minnesota State is looking good as advertised, with solid wins over Arizona State and North Dakota already under their belts. The Chargers, on the other hand, are struggling. I think they’ll recover, but I don’t think it will be this weekend.
Jack: Minnesota State sweeps Alabama Huntsville, 4-2 and 3-0
Daver: Minnesota State sweeps Alabama Huntsville, 5-1 and 4-1
Alaska at Alaska Anchorage
The Nanooks are perhaps the most surprising story in the WCHA this season. The Seawolves are tough to get a read on. They had last week off after a first-week sweep at Maine in which they lost 7-0 and 2-1 in overtime. I think the Nanooks will sweep here, but this is the Governor’s Cup, so expect a tough pair of games both times.
Jack: Alaska sweeps Alaska Anchorage, 2-1 and 4-1
Daver: Alaska sweeps Alaska Anchorage, 3-0 and 3-1
Lake Superior at (5) Notre Dame
Damon Whitten sure didn’t back down when making Lake Superior State’s schedule this season. They’ve played, in consecutive weeks, Denver and Michigan, and now have to go to Notre Dame. Unfortunately they haven’t been able to beat either of the other two teams although they have played very well against both Denver and Michigan. Will they be able to finally get a valuable nonconference win this weekend? I think they can squeeze one out.
Jack: Notre Dame 3-1 Friday; Lake State 2-1 Saturday
Daver: Lake Superior 2-1 Friday; Notre Dame 4-2 Saturday
Bemidji State at (16) North Dakota
This is normally a home-and-home against the cross-state rivals, but this season the Beavers are playing both games in Grand Forks. That ups the degree of difficulty for them a bit, but I think they can still get a split at the Ralph.
Jack: Bemidji State 3-2 Friday; North Dakota 4-2 Saturdy
Daver: North Dakota 4-3 Friday; Bemidji State 3-2 Saturday
