WCHA Regular Season Home Stretch

fightingsioux4life · February 20, 2011

Here is my predicted order of finish:

1. North Dakota

2. Denver

3. UM-Duluth

4. Nebraska-Omaha

5. Minnesota

6. Wisconsin

7. Colorado College

8. Alaska-Anchorage

9. St. Cloud State

10. MSU-Mankato

11. Bemidji State

12. Michigan Tech

First Round Match-Ups:

#12 Michigan Tech at #1 North Dakota: UND wins 2-0.

#11 Bemidji State at #2 Denver: Denver wins 2-0.

#10 MSU-Mankato at #3 UM-Duluth: Duluth wins 2-0.

#9 St. Cloud State at #4 Neb-Omaha: Omaha wins 2-1.

#8 Alaska-Anchorage at #5 Minnesota: Minnesota wins 2-1.

#7 Colorado College at #6 Wisconsin: CC wins 2-1 (Upset Special!).

WCHA Final Five:

Thursday, March 17th: Quarterfinals

#3 UM-Duluth over #6 Colorado College

#4 Neb-Omaha over #5 Minnesota (So long, Rodents!)

Friday, March 18th: Semifinals

#4 Neb-Omaha over #1 North Dakota (prove me wrong boys!)

#2 Denver over #3 UM-Duluth

Saturday, March 19th: Championship

#4 Neb-Omaha over #2 Denver (Blaiser is back, watch out for Omaha in the NCAA tourament!).

Thoughts?

mikejm · February 20, 2011

I don't like the thought of having to face Tech four or five games in a row.

It might take the Sioux three to get to St. Paul.

fightingsioux4life · February 20, 2011

I don't like the thought of having to face Tech four or five games in a row.
It might take the Sioux three to get to St. Paul.

Not this year. Tech is absolutely putrid. I think that upset win over Denver on the road was their last win (and last league points) until October sometime. The boys will be on a mission this time; no upset losses, no underachieving, no playing down to lesser teams. If we were playing Anchorage or even St. Cloud, I would be a little bit concerned. But not MTU.

siouxweet · February 20, 2011

This would clinch at least a share of the Cup with Denver (I think Duluth and Omaha would be out of the running). But I don't want to have the Cup presented to us before we've cliniched it outright; it will encourage the boys to take the foot off of the gas pedal and I don't want that. In 1997, we clinched a share of the title with back-to-back shutout wins at home vs. Anchorage and McLeod presented the Cup to us on Saturday night. We then proceeded to get swept at Denver and had to share the Cup with the dirty Rodents. I think the odds of getting swept at Tech are very slim, but I've seen stranger things happen. Let's get it done first and celebrate second.

and doing it the other way didn't work out to well two years ago. so it really doesn't matter.

Goon · February 20, 2011

Here is my predicted order of finish:

1. North Dakota
2. Denver
3. UM-Duluth
4. Nebraska-Omaha
5. Minnesota
6. Wisconsin
7. Colorado College
8. Alaska-Anchorage
9. St. Cloud State
10. MSU-Mankato
11. Bemidji State
12. Michigan Tech

First Round Match-Ups:
#12 Michigan Tech at #1 North Dakota: UND wins 2-0.
#11 Bemidji State at #2 Denver: Denver wins 2-0.
#10 MSU-Mankato at #3 UM-Duluth: Duluth wins 2-0.
#9 St. Cloud State at #4 Neb-Omaha: Omaha wins 2-1.
#8 Alaska-Anchorage at #5 Minnesota: Minnesota wins 2-1.
#7 Colorado College at #6 Wisconsin: CC wins 2-1 (Upset Special!).

WCHA Final Five:
Thursday, March 17th: Quarterfinals
#3 UM-Duluth over #6 Colorado College
#4 Neb-Omaha over #5 Minnesota (So long, Rodents!)

Friday, March 18th: Semifinals
#4 Neb-Omaha over #1 North Dakota (prove me wrong boys!)
#2 Denver over #3 UM-Duluth

Saturday, March 19th: Championship
#4 Neb-Omaha over #2 Denver (Blaiser is back, watch out for Omaha in the NCAA tourament!).

Thoughts?

So you're assuming that UNO is going to automatically beat the Gophers and the Sioux. I think UND has only played one bad game against UNO, the one loss was a result of a goal that probably was offsides and UND has badly outplayed UNO in half the games they played against them, I am going to RESPECTFULLY disagree with you... I think this team isn't going to let UNO get the best of them again this time, "if" they end up playing in the Final FIve.

Cratter · February 20, 2011

The Cup is basically the kiss of death.

No WCHA team has won it outright and won a NCAA championship in the same year since Wisconsin did it 21 years ago.

gfhockey · February 20, 2011

I also dont see und going on a 9 game winning streak to win the mcnaughten. I think they lose one of the tech games in the playoffs and end up in the final five title game but lose it. However i woudl be happy in losing firday nite at the final five so we get that extra day of rest unless we absolutley need it to have a shot at number one seed. And therefore we cant mkae the we are tired excuse as we did last year.

yzerman19 · February 20, 2011

I'll happily give Blaiser a Broadmoor to bring back to Omaha...so long as we bring home #8

fightingsioux4life · February 20, 2011

So you're assuming that UNO is going to automatically beat the Gophers and the Sioux. I think UND has only played one bad game against UNO, the one loss was a result of a goal that probably was offsides and UND has badly outplayed UNO in half the games they played against them, I am going to RESPECTFULLY disagree with you... I think this team isn't going to let UNO get the best of them again this time, "if" they end up playing in the Final FIve.

The Rodents are not that good and it's very hard to win both the MacNaughton and the Broadmoor, so that is what I based it on. Omaha is sneaking under people's radar and they shouldn't. Blais will get the most out of them, especially in the playoffs. As long as we don't choke in the NCAA's again, I will be happy.

SiouxTupa · February 20, 2011

When the Gophers were on yesterday, they looked pretty good. They did let a few guys camp out in front of the net, though, so defense is still suspect. But their forwards had good jump, and played pretty well as a group. I am expecting them in the Final 5, and wouldn't be surprised if they won a game there. Shouldn't be enough to get them into the tourney...but their schedule is the mirror of ours for the next two weekends, so you never know.

ringneck28 · February 20, 2011

I also dont see und going on a 9 game winning streak to win the mcnaughten. I think they lose one of the tech games in the playoffs and end up in the final five title game but lose it. However i woudl be happy in losing firday nite at the final five so we get that extra day of rest unless we absolutley need it to have a shot at number one seed. And therefore we cant mkae the we are tired excuse as we did last year.

Not to be picky, but I am going to point out a couple flaws here. First of all, The Sioux only have 4 games left for Mcnaughten, did you mean the Broadmoor. Second, you would be happy to lose Friday of Final Five? I challenge you to think big picture. Just making the tourney isn't the goal. The goal is to get the best seed available. Lets see, lets be happy to lose and get a 2 seed and get sent out east to have to beat Yale or BC. Sieze the day and make hay when the sun shines. Lets get ourselves to Green Bay and have a nice Sioux cheering section. But hey, lets be happy to lose a game??

siouxforce19 · February 20, 2011

Here is my predicted order of finish:

1. North Dakota
2. Denver
3. UM-Duluth
4. Nebraska-Omaha
5. Minnesota
6. Wisconsin
7. Colorado College
8. Alaska-Anchorage
9. St. Cloud State
10. MSU-Mankato
11. Bemidji State
12. Michigan Tech

First Round Match-Ups:
#12 Michigan Tech at #1 North Dakota: UND wins 2-0.
#11 Bemidji State at #2 Denver: Denver wins 2-0.
#10 MSU-Mankato at #3 UM-Duluth: Duluth wins 2-0.
#9 St. Cloud State at #4 Neb-Omaha: Omaha wins 2-1.
#8 Alaska-Anchorage at #5 Minnesota: Minnesota wins 2-1.
#7 Colorado College at #6 Wisconsin: CC wins 2-1 (Upset Special!).

WCHA Final Five:
Thursday, March 17th: Quarterfinals
#3 UM-Duluth over #6 Colorado College
#4 Neb-Omaha over #5 Minnesota (So long, Rodents!)

Friday, March 18th: Semifinals
#4 Neb-Omaha over #1 North Dakota (prove me wrong boys!)
#2 Denver over #3 UM-Duluth

Saturday, March 19th: Championship
#4 Neb-Omaha over #2 Denver (Blaiser is back, watch out for Omaha in the NCAA tourament!).

Thoughts?

My thoughts?

My thoughts are if UNO wins the Final Five, I'll be spending a lot of time at the bar after the game.

Maybe I'm alone here (and that wouldn't surprise me) but I despise UNO and am sick of hearing about them.

Goon · February 20, 2011

The Cup is basically the kiss of death.

No WCHA team has won it outright and won a NCAA championship in the same year since Wisconsin did it 21 years ago.

Are you talking about the MacNaughten? Didn't UND win all three and win the NCAA title in 1997?

Blackheart · February 20, 2011

Not to be picky, but I am going to point out a couple flaws here. First of all, The Sioux only have 4 games left for Mcnaughten, did you mean the Broadmoor. Second, you would be happy to lose Friday of Final Five? I challenge you to think big picture. Just making the tourney isn't the goal. The goal is to get the best seed available. Lets see, lets be happy to lose and get a 2 seed and get sent out east to have to beat Yale or BC. Sieze the day and make hay when the sun shines. Lets get ourselves to Green Bay and have a nice Sioux cheering section. But hey, lets be happy to lose a game??

I think the point is that if we are locked into a #1 seed, losing on Friday at the Final 5 wouldn't be the worst thing ever...the boys would be a little more rested going into the NCAA tourney as a result...

brianvf · February 20, 2011

I think getting the #1 seed for the WCHA playoffs is key.

One, you get a trophy/banner.

Two, the jump in team skill from MTU in 12th to SCSU/MSUM/BSU in 11th is pretty substantial. I would much rather play MTU in the 1st round than either of those three teams.

Even though we'd be playing MTU 4-5 games in a row...still better than finishing 2nd.

Third, you avoid the Thursday night games at the Final Five. At most you have to play two games in the Final Five, saving some energy for the following weekend's regionals.

Last year the Sioux just depleted themselves down the stretch. While it was awesome watching them win the Broadmoor, all those games in 9 days really hampered them in their game against Yale IMO.

ringneck28 · February 20, 2011

Are you talking about the MacNaughten? Didn't UND win all three and win the NCAA title in 1997?

We had a share of the Mcnaughton in 97, don't know if this counts.

nodakvindy · February 20, 2011

If we end up with four (or five) straight against Tech, the coaching staff will really have to make sure the team stays focused. Can't pick up any bad habits against an overmatched team going into the most important games of the season.

Wilbur · February 21, 2011

If we end up with four (or five) straight against Tech, the coaching staff will really have to make sure the team stays focused. Can't pick up any bad habits against an overmatched team going into the most important games of the season.

Agreed 100%. It is very likely that the Tech Huskies will be coming to Grand Forks unless we see a major meltdown. I think its nice that they could be playing them four times in a row in different locations. The last time they had them four times in a row at the Ralph you could tell that the Saturday letdown was coming. Luckily they were able to get over that in the third period and win the hockey game in OT.

siouxweet · February 21, 2011

We had a share of the Mcnaughton in 97, don't know if this counts.

denver did in 2005 as well.

UND85 · February 21, 2011

Does the #1 seed in the Final 5 get to play the evening game on Friday ?

siouxweet · February 21, 2011

Does the #1 seed in the Final 5 get to play the evening game on Friday ?

I believe so.

Dave Berger · February 21, 2011

I believe so.

Unless the other Friday matchup involves Minnesota, in which case the Gopher game would be played at 7:00.

Dave

jimdahl · February 21, 2011

<p>Just two weekends left...</p>

<p>Only four teams can still finish 1st.</p>

<tr><td>North Dakota</td><td>17-6-1</td><td>35</td></tr>

<tr><td>Denver</td><td>15-6-3</td><td>33</td></tr>

<tr><td>Minnesota-Duluth</td><td>14-6-4</td><td>32</td></tr>

<tr><td>Nebraska-Omaha</td><td>15-7-2</td><td>32</td></tr>

</table>

So, if the Sioux sweep next weekend, that will give them a minimum of 39 points. Denver would then need at least 2 for a chance to tie, UMD would need at least 3, and UNO would need at least 3.

<table style="width: 400px" class='possibilities'><tr><th>Team</th><th>Current Points</th><th>Conference Series Remaining</th><th>Possible Final Rankings</th></tr>

<li>Has secured home ice in WCHA playoffs</li>

<li>Can clinch 3rd with 2 points this weekend</li>

</ul></td></tr>

<tr><td class='hcell1'>Denver</td>

<li>Has secured home ice in WCHA playoffs</li>

<li>Can clinch 4th with 1 point this weekend</li>

<li>Can clinch T-3rd with 3 points this weekend</li>

<li>Can clinch 3rd with 4 points this weekend</li>

</ul></td></tr>

<li>Has secured home ice in WCHA playoffs</li>

<li>Can clinch T-4th with 1 point this weekend</li>

<li>Can clinch 4th with 2 points this weekend</li>

</ul></td></tr>

<tr><td class='hcell1'>Nebraska-Omaha</td>

<li>Has secured home ice in WCHA playoffs</li>

<li>Can clinch T-4th with 1 point this weekend</li>

<li>Can clinch 4th with 2 points this weekend</li>

<li>Can no longer finish 1st with fewer than 1 point this weekend</li>

</ul></td></tr>

<li>Can clinch T-9th with 1 point this weekend</li>

<li>Can clinch 8th with 2 points this weekend</li>

<li>Can clinch 7th with 3 points this weekend</li>

<li>Can no longer finish T-3rd with fewer than 4 points this weekend</li>

<li>Can no longer finish T-4th with fewer than 3 points this weekend</li>

</ul></td></tr>

<li>Can clinch T-9th with 2 points this weekend</li>

<li>Can clinch 9th with 3 points this weekend</li>

<li>Can clinch T-7th with 4 points this weekend</li>

<li>Can no longer finish T-4th with fewer than 4 points this weekend</li>

</ul></td></tr>

<li>Can clinch T-9th with 3 points this weekend</li>

<li>Can clinch 9th with 4 points this weekend</li>

</ul></td></tr>

</ul></td></tr>

<li>Can clinch 10th with 3 points this weekend</li>

<li>Can no longer finish 5th with fewer than 4 points this weekend</li>

<li>Can no longer finish T-5th with fewer than 3 points this weekend</li>

<li>Can no longer finish 6th with fewer than 1 point this weekend</li>

</ul></td></tr>

<tr><td class='hcell1'>Bemidji State</td>

<li>Can clinch 10th with 3 points this weekend</li>

<li>Can no longer finish 5th with fewer than 3 points this weekend</li>

<li>Can no longer finish T-5th with fewer than 2 points this weekend</li>

<li>Can no longer finish 6th with fewer than 1 point this weekend</li>

</ul></td></tr>

<tr><td class='hcell1'>Mankato</td>

</ul></td></tr>

<tr><td class='hcell1'>MTech</td>

<li>Can no longer earn home ice in WCHA playoffs</li>

</ul></td></tr>

</table>

Cratter · February 21, 2011

Are you talking about the MacNaughten? Didn't UND win all three and win the NCAA title in 1997?

Yeah talking about the MacNaughten Cup. Minnesota also won the MacNaughten Cup in 1997.

As did Colorado College in 2005.

Wisconsin was the last team to win the MacNaugten Cup outright and an NCAA championship over 20 years ago.

Blackheart · February 21, 2011

I think getting the #1 seed for the WCHA playoffs is key.

One, you get a trophy/banner.

Only if you are Mankato or SCSU...

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