For the first time this season, a WCHA team is the number one team in the land. It’s UMD in a squeaker (26 points separate UMD and #2 Boston University). Other WCHA teams in the polls include UNO at #4, UND is 7th, Denver checks in at #14, while Wisconsin ranks 15th. And finally, from all of us at College Hockey Weekend, we wish you a happy Thanksgiving and remind you that the CHE will return for the weekend of December 3rd and 4th.
#7 North Dakota (7-4-1, 6-2-0 WCHA) at #4 Nebraska-Omaha (8-1-1, 5-0-1 WCHA)
Game Times: 7:37 PM CST Friday, 7:07 PM CST Saturday, no TV
Players to watch: Corban Knight (UND), Matt White (UNO). Knight leads the Sioux in points with 13 points so far while White is second in goals with 7 for the potent Maverick offense.
Analysis: A rivalry will be born at the Qwest in Omaha this weekend; the Sioux head down to face their old coach in Dean Blais. Both teams are coming off winning weekends; UND swept UW at the Kohl while the Mavs picked up three points up in St. Cloud. To continue their momentum, the Sioux need to at least split after their rise from 10th last weekend. The last team UNO played that was ranked this high was Michigan, where they split against the Wolverines in Ann Arbor last month.
Prediction: Split.
#1 UMD (6-1-1, 9-1-2 WCHA) at #15 Wisconsin (6-4-2, 3-3-2 WCHA)
Game Times: 7:07 PM CST Friday and Saturday; TV: FS Wisconsin Friday, regional coverage Saturday
Players to Watch: Jack Connolly (UMD), Michael Mersch (UW). Connolly took home WCHA Offensive Player of the Week honors last week with a five point weekend over Michigan Tech last weekend. Mersch has been a steady contributor for the Badgers with eight points so far.
Analysis: The Badgers took two steps back last weekend after being swept by UND. While they were close results (4-2 and 1-0), the Badgers need more offensive depth; only four players have five or more goals at this point. The Bulldogs on the other hand, have five players with ten or more points. If the Badgers want to keep pace with this fast paced and talented Bulldog offense they need to score and score often.
Prediction: Split.
St. Cloud State (4-6-2, 2-3-1 WCHA) at Alaska-Anchorage (2-6-2, 1-4-1 WCHA)
Game Times: 7:07 PM AST Friday and Saturday TV: None
Players to Watch: Drew LeBlanc (SCSU), Matt Bailey (UAA). LeBlanc has registered 11 assists on the season while Bailey is tied for the leading scorer for the Seawolves with 4.
Analysis: Once again, a rather uneventful series involving the Seawolves and an outstate Minnesota series should be playing out. The Huskies are coming off a point weekend against UNO while the Seawolves got a split against Bemijdi State. Unless you’re a fan of either team, it isn’t worth staying up late to watch this series.
Prediction: Split.
Minnesota (5-4-1, 3-4-1 WCHA) at Michigan Tech (3-2-2, 1-2-1 WCHA)
Game Times: 7:07 PM EST Friday and Saturday TV: None
Players to Watch: Kent Patterson (MIN), Kevin Genoe (MTU). The goalies will be the stars of the show this weekend in Houghton. The junior from Plymouth, MN and Colorado Avalanche prospect has taken the starting job from former starter Alex Kangas and has impressed with his numbers: a record of 4-0-1, and a 2.45 GAA. Genoe is another talented goalie as he has put up similar numbers to Patterson in save percentage.
Analysis: While the adage may be “Defense wins championships”, neither team seems to have it as their defenses have not looked strong at all. However, what does give the Gophers the edge this weekend is their strong offensive efforts as they rank tied for second with UNO in goals scored in conference games this season.
Prediction: Minnesota sweep.
Bemidji State (2-5-1) at #14 Denver (6-4-2, 5-2-1 WCHA)
Game Times: 7:37 PM CST Friday, 7:07 PM CST Saturday, TV: FS Rocky Mountain (Fri)
Players to Watch: Matthieu Dugas (BSU), Nick Shore (DU). Dugas picked up the Beaver win Saturday night against Alaska-Anchorage, while Nick Shore has been named as a “player to watch” by NHL Central Scouting ahead of the NHL Entry Draft in June.
Analysis: Sometimes you have to give a team credit for stepping into the building and attempting to give it a fair shake. That’s the boat the Beavers are in this weekend at Magness.
Prediction: Denver sweep.
CHW Blogger
Andy Sorensen
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