Congratulations to Bemidji on its first WCHA win in program history. Sadly, it came on a horribly weak goal given up by SCSU's Dan Dunn :46 into OT, but it was their first win, nonetheless.
The Gophers continued to prove that they are ready and willing to roll over to any team in the league which was evidenced by their 6-0 drubbing at the hands of the Badgers last Friday at Mariucci. I don't know what's with this team, but something's got to change for them. If I were a member of Gopher nation, I'd be worried at this point. From what I'm hearing and seeing there doesn't seem to be much in the way of team unity/chemistry right now, nor does there seem to be a will to win on most nights.
Omaha is off to a hot start this season, and remains as the lone unbeaten school in the WCHA. They just look to be clicking everywhere so far this season. Unfortunately, clicking early isn't the key. In any sport, it's not who's hot first, it's who's hot last. We'll see if Omaha can keep it up.
Denver and CC are two teams who are still trying to find their identities in this early season. Neither team really knows what's going on. They both have great nights, and the both have awful nights (see CC's 9-2 loss to the Gophers and then coming back the following weekend and beating Denver 9-2).
Tech is a team that I'm still not sure of. They showed some scoring ability early, but haven't really played anyone. In fact, the only real WCHA test they had was against the Badgers and they were swept.
I went 6-4 in my picks last weekend and am now 40-33 on the season. Things are moving in the right direction as far as that's concerned. It ought to be another interesting weekend.
Conference Games
Tech @ Duluth, Friday/Saturday 7:07
This will prove to be Tech's toughest battle in this early season. They boast one of the top PP unit's in the country, but so does Duluth, and both teams PK's are similar, with Tech killing at about a 5% higher rate. Tech has showed the ability to score some goals this season, but their Achilles heal is still goaltending. They're giving up over 3.5 GPG so far this season. They're shown the ability to score. Now, they need to show the ability to keep their puck out of their own net. I don't see that happening this weekend, however, going up against the potent UMD Bulldogs.
'Dogs sweep 6-2, 4-1
North Dakota @ Wisconsin, Friday/Saturday 7:07
This is the first true test the Badgers will have in this early season. They've played the U and Denver, but both of those teams are sketchy at best in this early season. Neither team really knows its full capabilities. The Sioux, on the other hand, is a pretty solid team. They come out to battle every night (with the blatant exception of the Maine series, of course). If what the Badgers have done so far this season is any indication of the telling tale of this team, the Sioux may have their hands full. UW boasts the 3rd best offense and 4th best defense in the nation, thus far. Again, they haven't really had strong competition thus far. It should be a fun series to watch, though, as this is one of the bigger rivalries in college hockey.
Split. North Dakota wins Friday 4-2, Badgers win Saturday 3-2
Anchorage @ Bemdji, Friday 7:37, Saturday 7:07
Having not seen Alaska play in this early season makes it difficult to really say what kind of team they are. Bemidji, on the other hand, is a quick, hardworking team that will beat you to many pucks if you're not moving. They're problem is that they have one line. Last weekend, against St. Cloud, the Beavers only line that was able to produce anything was the George-Read-Lowe line. It's good to have one top line, but you still need to have other lines that can produce. The Beavers don't look to have that yet. Anchorage is not a great team, by any means, but they have shown some heart early on when they came back from a four goal deficit to tie the Sioux. I could see Bemidji completing the sweep in this one, but I just don't think the Seawolves are going to roll over for them.
Split. Bemidji wins Friday 2-1, Anchorage wins Saturday 4-3
Mankato @ Denver, Friday 8:37, Saturday 8:07
This is one of those series that I just don't know about. Offensively, they are identical, but it's defensively where there's almost a half GPG difference in favor of DU. After last Saturday's embarrassing loss to CC, I have to say that Denver is going to come out with a vengence. They're going to be hungry to get on the board often and get the W. Mankato, on the other hand, is Mankato. They're going to play their game, but it just isn't going to be enough...especially playing at Denver.
Denver sweeps 6-0, 4-1
Omaha @ St. Cloud, Friday/Saturday 7:07
This series could very easily end up in an Omaha or St. Cloud split. The Mavericks are playing extremely well so far this season, and the Huskies have been inconsistent at best. Omaha boasts the second best offense in the nation, the fifth best PP, and the 13th best PK. I don't even want to say where St. Cloud is in those categories... Omaha is a large team, with 12 players 6'2"+ and 15 over 200 lbs. St. Cloud has eight and seven players in those categories, respectively. With that said, when St. Cloud shows up to play, they are one of the best teams in the country. They are fast, skillfull, and have a nose for the net. The Huskies problem is that they seem to forget that they are playing 60 minute games twice per weekend. They showed flashes of absolute domination in each series this season for extended periods of time, and those flashes always came when they were moving their feet. When they stop moving their feet, they get beat. If the Huskies can move their feet for 120 minutes this weekend, I'd chalk up a sweep for the Huskies. As it stands, I just don't see that happening.
Split. Omaha Friday 5-2, Huskies Saturday 4-3
Non-Conference Games
Colorado College @ Air Force, Friday 8:05
Air Force is a mis-leading team. They boast an offense that has score nearly four GPG, but they scored 12 goals in one game against American International... CC plays in the WCHA; the toughest league in the nation. They proved to themselves that they could score some goals with their 9-2 drubbing of Denver last Saturday. I think they're going to continue they're winning ways.
CC Wins 4-1
Yale @ Colorado College, Saturday 8:07
Yale comes into this game boasting a 4-0-0 record, but they haven't played anyone of any significance so far. CC has played ten games so far and should have a better grip on who they are as a team. The PK looks to be the Achilles heal of Yale. If CC can capitalize on their PP's, they should be able to get a win.
CC wins 4-2
