The WCHA conference schedule kicks off this week for the two newest members of the WCHA as Nebraska-Omaha visits the Gophers while conference favorite North Dakota travels to Bemidji State. The only other conference series this weekend is the Mavericks heading to Houghton to play the Huskies. In non-conference action, there are a couple high quality series as the #1 team in the country and defending national champion Boston College visits #6 Denver while #4 Miami visits #11 St. Cloud State.
#4 Miami (1-1-0) at #11 St. Cloud State (1-1-0)
Game Times: 7:07 CDT Friday and Saturday, TV: CHW (Check Local Listings)
Players to Watch: Alden Hirschfield (MU), Ben Hanowski (SCSU). Hirschfield had a very impressive series last weekend against New Hampshire racking up six points (two goals, four assists). Hanowski returned to the scoring ways that he was known for during his high school days in Little Falls scoring two goals in the Maverick Stampede in Omaha last weekend.
Analysis: Both teams had mixed results last weekend as they picked up Friday night wins while dropping their second games. However, it was more damaging for the Huskies as they plummeted in the rankings from fourth to eleventh with their 7-3 loss to Clarkson. It will definitely be a battle between the pipes as the talented and Hobey Baker finalist Cody Reichard hits the ice for the Redhawks while Mike Lee is expected to be in goal for the Huskies.
Prediction: Split. This is a very good series featuring two very good teams, and it will be one of the better series of the weekend.
Minnesota State (0-0-2) at Michigan Tech (2-0-1)
Game Times: 7:07 EDT both Friday and Saturday, Internet feed: Michigantechhhuskies.com
Players to Watch: Justin Jokinen (MSU), Bennett Royer (MTU). Both Jokinen and Royer lead their respected teams in scoring early on. While Tech has a one game advantage over MSU as they tied Northern Michigan Tuesday night, the Huskies goaltending has looked quite sharp.
Analysis: After MSU’s two draws against St. Lawerence last weekend, the Mavericks are a hard team to read. They can play a good offense and defensive game as displayed by their 5-5 and 1-1 draws, but can they gain and keep control in a game? On the other hand, Tech has looked impressive in their three games. However, Lake Superior State and Northern Michigan are by no means WCHA competition. Will they step up against the Mavericks this weekend? Both teams have important questions to answer this weekend in the young season.
Prediction: Split ties. Hey, it happened last weekend for MSU, so why not?
Nebraska-Omaha (2-0-0) at #13 Minnesota (2-0-0)
Game Times: 7:07 CDT both Friday and Saturday, TV: FS North
Players to Watch: Matt Ambroz (UNO), Jay Barriball (MINN). Both Ambroz and Barriball burst out of the gates contributing offensively. Ambroz racked up three goals and five points in the Maverick Stampede last weekend as the Mavericks beat Clarkson and RPI. Barriball did one better than Ambroz as he lit the lamp four times against UMass last weekend.
Analysis: Similar to Tech, UNO did have an impressive opening weekend but not against strong competition. They will have to rise to the challenge of not only making their WCHA debut but also doing so in one of the toughest venues in college hockey. The Gophers on the other hand have to keep the momentum going after the UMass sweep last weekend and not look ahead to their first major challenge in St. Cloud State next weekend. Oh yeah, longtime Gopher hockey foe Dean Blais returns to Mariucci this weekend for the first time in eight seasons as he is behind the Maverick bench.
Prediction: Gopher sweep. The Gophers will overwhelm the Mavericks on all levels.
#2 North Dakota (1-0-1) at Bemidji State (0-0-0)
Game Times: 7:37 CDT Friday, 7:07 CDT Saturday, TV: Lakeshore Public TV
Players to Watch: Derek Forbort (UND), Ian Lowe (BSU). Forbert, the first round pick by the LA Kings is off to a fast start piling up three assists in the Fighting Sioux’s Alaskan road trip last weekend. Lowe is the leading goal scorer from last year for the Beavers and looks to improve on his stats this season.
Analysis: This series is very important for Bemidji State. Not only is this the season opener, but this is the home and conference debut for the Beavers. You also happen to be playing one of the favorites for a national championship and who have arguably one of the deepest teams in all of college hockey. How they play the Sioux will speak volumes to how their season will go.
Prediction: Split series. I’ll give the Beavers a game in the new Beaver Dam despite the Sioux’s overwhelming strength.
Providence (1-0-0) at #7 UMD (1-0-1)
Game Times: 7:07 CDT Friday and Saturday, TV: My 9 Northland
Players to Watch: Matt Germain (PC), Justin Fontaine (UMD). Germain scored the go-ahead goal last weekend for the Friars in their 3-1 win over Northeastern, while Fontaine put up five points last weekend, including a four point effort in a tie with Northern Michigan.
Analysis: Even though the Friars had a quality win against the Huskies last week, they still have to make a monumental leap to compete with the Bulldogs’ offense.
Prediction: UMD sweep.
Alabama-Huntsville (1-1-0) at #15 Wisconsin (1-1-0)
Game Times: 7:07 CDT Friday, 1:07 CDT Sunday TV: FS Wisconsin (Friday), bigtennetwork.com (Sunday)
Players to Watch: Justin Cseter (UAH), Craig Smith (UW). Both Cseter and Smith are off to quick starts. Cseter had three assists last weekend against Ferris State with Smith had a two goal effort in a 5-0 Badger win over Holy Cross.
Analysis: This isn’t your grandfather’s college hockey series as it’s a Friday/Sunday series due to the Badger football team hosting #1 Ohio State Saturday night. Despite that, it will be an almost walk in the park for the Badgers this weekend.
Prediction: Badger sweep. The Chargers should enjoy their trip to Wisconsin for what it is: The opportunity to play against one of college hockey’s elite programs.
#1 Boston College (1-0-0) at #6 Denver (1-0-1)
Game Times: 7:37 MDT Friday, 7:07 MDT Saturday, TV: FSN Rocky Mountain (Friday)
Players to Watch: John Muse (BC), Drew Shore (DU). Muse is a power between the pipes. He has had three straight shutouts dating back to the National Championship last season. Shore picked up three goals last weekend against Vermont.
Analysis: BC is far and away the number one team in the country, and the majority of the team is back for a repeat. The theme of the weekend is measuring sticks and the Pioneers are no different. It would be a win for the Pioneers in my book if they split with BC.
Prediction: Split series. BC is so dominant, but I like Denver’s youth and spunk.
Andy Sorensen
College Hockey Weekend Blogger
Fontaine had 5 points last weekend. And your gopher analysis is very maroon and gold-centric. Watch for the split.
ReplyDelete5-4 Mavericks, seems as thought the arch might be on to something.
ReplyDelete