Andy’s College Hockey Extravaganza Week #15
A story that many in the college hockey world have been following this season is the recovery of Denver’s Jesse Martin. Martin, as you may recall, suffered a season-ending neck injury in October during the Pioneer’s trip to Grand Forks. He has returned to school and had the opportunity to speak about his injury and recovery this week. YouTube links, along with a DU story about the lecture are here: http://www.denverpioneers.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=90195&SPID=10862&DB_LANG=C&ATCLID=205080205&DB_OEM_ID=18600
Here are your weekly WCHA first round playoff matchups if the season ended today:
#12 Michigan Tech vs. #1 UND (UND leads season series 2-0-0)
#11 MSU vs. #2 Denver (Denver won season series 3-0-1)
#10 St. Cloud State vs. #3 UMD (Have yet to play each other)
#9 Bemidji State vs. #4 UNO (Bemidji won season series 3-0-1)
#8 Alaska-Anchorage vs. #5 Colorado College (UAA won season series 3-1-0)
#7 Wisconsin vs. #6 Minnesota (UW leads season series 1-0-1)

Now, let’s get to the series:
#5 UMD (15-5-3, 10-4-2 WCHA) at Michigan Tech (3-16-3, 1-12-1 WCHA)
Game Times: 7:07 PM EST Friday and Saturday No TV
Players to Watch: Travis Oleksuk (UMD), Milos Gordic (MTU)
Analysis: This will be a tough series for Tech. The Husky defense will need nothing short of a miracle to stop the Bulldog offensive attack.
Prediction: UMD sweep.

Minnesota State (10-9-5, 4-9-3 WCHA) at #9 Wisconsin (15-8-3, 7-7-2 WCHA)
Game Times: 7:37 PM CST Friday, 7:07 PM CST Saturday TV: FS Wisconsin (Sat)
Players to watch: Michael Dorr (MSU), Craig Smith (UW)
Analysis: MSU were on the verge of having a three point weekend against Denver last weekend. Unfortunately, the unreliable Maverick defense fell apart after giving up 4 unanswered goals before losing in OT. While UW isn’t as potent as DU, I’d be worried if I was the Maverick defense.
Prediction: UW three point weekend.

Alaska-Anchorage (7-10-3, 6-8-2 WCHA) at #4 Denver (16-5-2, 11-3-0 WCHA)
Game Times: 7:37 PM MST Friday, 7:07 PM MST Saturday, TV: FS Rocky Mountain
Players to Watch: Jordan Kwas (UAA), Jason Zucker (DU)
Analysis: The Seawolves swept Colorado College last weekend at Sullivan, now they make the trip to Denver to play the Pioneers as they try to move up the standings.
Prediction: DU three point weekend.

St. Cloud State (9-11-1, 5-8-1 WCHA) at Bemidji State (9-11-2, 5-9-2 WCHA)
Game Times: 7:07 PM CST Friday, 7:37 PM CST Saturday, No TV
Players to Watch: Drew LeBlanc (SCSU), Matt Read (BSU)
Analysis: Three of the Beavers’ five conference wins have come against UNO. Can they pick up the slack against St. Cloud?
Prediction: Split

UNO (12-8-2, 9-5-2 WCHA) at #2 UND (17-6-2, 12-4-0 WCHA)
Game Times: 7:07 PM CST Friday and Saturday, No TV
Players to Watch: John Faulkner (UNO), Corban Knight (UND)
Analysis: The Mavericks salvaged a point out of their series with Bemidji last weekend. Can they muster the momentum to compete with the Sioux this weekend?
Prediction: Split


-Andy Sorensen, CHW blogger

Game 2 #6 Denver Pioneers vs Minnesota State Mavericks

#6 Denver Pioneers vs Minnesota State Mavericks