Well, who would’ve thought that Michigan Tech would be 2-0-1 after three games, with two of those games coming against Northern Michigan? If you’re read my blog, you know it wasn’t me. I also wouldn’t have picked the Sioux to blow a four goal lead to Anchorage…ANCHORAGE!
It was an interesting weekend for the WCHA. They went 13-2-5 in all games, with SCSU and UW losing the only two. In what is the most surprising loss, Clarkson defeated SCSU 6-2 in what should’ve been an easy game for the Huskies. Predictably, UW lost to BU. Although, it was a closer game than I thought it would be.
I went 11-11 on my picks last weekend, with seven of those games picked wrong actually ending in ties. I only picked one final score correctly.
League Games
North Dakota @ Bemidji, Friday 7:37, Saturday 7:07
Bemidji is opening up its new arena so expect them to be pumped up for this one. The Sioux are still a pretty good team though. Expect a split.
Bemidji wins Friday 3-2, UND wins Saturday 3-2
Mankato @ Tech, Friday/Saturday 6:07
We have the 2-0-1 Michigan Tech Huskies vs. the 0-0-2 Mankato Mavericks. Who’d have thought either one of these teams would be unbeaten at any point in the season. I’m going to go with a win and a tie for the home team.
Tech wins Friday 4-2, Tie on Saturday 3-3
Omaha @ Minnesota, Friday/Saturday 7:07
The Gophers are coming off of a high scoring weekend last weekend. Jay Barriball is officially back folks. Omaha won pretty convincingly on Friday with an 8-0 win over Clarkson. They then capped the weekend off with a win over RIT. I’ve gotta go with the home team both nights on this one. Welcome to the WCHA…
UMN sweeps 3-1, 3-2
Non-Conference Games
Boston College @ Denver, Friday 8:37, Saturday 8:07
This is going to be a tough series. Both games could go either way. I still don’t know what to expect out of this new look Denver team. I’m predicting a split.
BC wins Friday 3-1, DU wins Saturday 4-2
Miami @ St. Cloud, Friday/Saturday 7:07
The Huskies record against Miami isn’t the greatest at 1-7-1. Miami went to UNH last week and managed to split a pair of 6-3 games. The Huskies struggled to score against RIT, but managed to win. Saturday’s games were marred be defensive errors in a 6-2 loss against Clarkson. Expect a Miami sweep.
Miami 3-1, 4-1
Providence @ Duluth, Friday/Saturday 7:07
Honestly, I’m not sure what to expect out of Providence as I’m not real familiar with Hockey East schools. I can say that UMD will be a tough team, and if you put them on the PP you’re probably not going to win. I’m going to call both games for UMD.
Duluth 4-1, 5-2
Huntsville @ Wisconsin, Friday 7:07, Sunday 1:07
I don’t expect a lot out of Huntsville. However, they are an independent trying to prove themselves to the different leagues to try and gain admission into one. The Badgers, on the other hand, still have some question marks they’re dealing with, like who’s going to score, etc.? They lost a close one last weekend to BU and then killed Holy Cross. Should be an easy sweep for the Badgers.
UW 5-2, 6-2
Alaska Gold Rush, Carlson Center, Fairbanks, Alaska
Colorado College vs. Anchorage, Friday 7:07
Anchorage came away with a surprising tie last Friday against UND. They were down 5-1 in the game and scored 4 unanswered goals to tie the game. They then went on to beat Air Force. CC won a 2-1 game against RPI and then tied them the following night. Offense could be an issue for CC. I have to go with Anchorage here.
UAA wins 3-2
Union vs. Anchorage, Saturday 7:07
Union has scored some goals this year, but they were against lowly Sacred Heart. I’m going to give this one to the “home team”.
UAA wins 4-2
Colorado College vs. Alaska, Saturday 10:07
Alaska had a tough time scoring against the Sioux last weekend, but didn’t give up much. I’m gonna stay with the WCHA again.
CC wins 4-2
