Last week Theresa: 7-5
Season Theresa: 55-37-9
Last week Tyler: 9-3
Season Tyler: 51-25-5
Note: Somehow missed that the MTU/UNO series was Thursday/Friday. Otherwise this blog would have been up much earlier. HOWEVER, I have not looked at what’s going on in that game and our picks were made well before the game started. I just now have a chance to blog.
And once again, we have an entirely WCHA weekend.
Thursday, December 9 through Saturday, December 11
No. 2 Minnesota-Duluth (12-2-1, 9-2-1 WCHA) at Minnesota (8-7-1, 5-6-1 WCHA)
Theresa: I know that the Gophers threw everything but the kitchen sink at the Mavericks last week and still came up empty. One might think it means they’re due for some goals. However, even if they are, the Bulldogs are just too good. UMD sweep.
Tyler: The Gophers finished last weekend with 85 shots on goal at Minnesota State but only came up with three goals and got swept. Minnesota will win a game this weekend if they win the shots battle because between Aaron Crandall and Kenny Reiter, UMD’s save percentage is below .900. If the Gophers come at all close to the shots totals they had last weekend against a hot goalie in Phil Cook, those pucks are going in the net. Still, Minnesota is suspect in its own net and the Bulldogs are known to put up some big offensive numbers. Split.
No. 5 North Dakota (11-3-2, 9-3-0 WCHA) at Minnesota State (6-6-4, 4-6-2 WCHA)
Theresa: It’s true that the Mavericks are coming off of a huge weekend that could provide them a momentum push. Unfortunately, the Mavericks get pushed into the buzzsaw that is the Fighting Sioux. UND sweep.
Tyler: The Mavericks were lucky Cook was as dominant last weekend as he was, otherwise it could’ve easily been a sweep the other way. MSU can’t get away with putting all of the load on Cook’s shoulders when UND comes to town this weekend. The Mavericks need to play a full 60 minutes and they didn’t do that against the Gophers. UND sweep.
No. 9 Denver (11-5-2, 8-3-1) at Alaska-Anchorage (5-9-2, 4-7-1 WCHA)
Theresa: True, Denver is a hot team right now. However, the Seawolves have been steadily splitting and the Sullivan Arena is not an easy place for a visiting team to get a sweep. Therefore, split – UAA Friday, DU Saturday.
Tyler: Denver is one of the hottest teams in the league right now, despite a loss Saturday at then-No. 1 UMD, but the Seawolves somehow find a way to win a close game each weekend. I’ll go with a split.
Michigan Tech (3-8-2, 1-8-1 WCHA) at No. 10 Nebraska-Omaha (9-4-1, 6-3-1 WCHA)
Theresa: UNO got swept last weekend, which means that they’re probably looking for redemption. Of course, one could also say the same thing about Michigan Tech. The problem for the Huskies, though, is that they haven’t proven anything lately. Therefore, I’ve got to go with a UNO sweep.
Tyler: Despite the Mavericks’ meltdown last weekend in Bemidji, it’s hard to make a case for anything but an Omaha sweep this weekend. Omaha sweep.
Bemidji State (5-8-1, 4-7-1 WCHA) at No. 16 Wisconsin (8-7-3, 4-6-2 WCHA)
Theresa: This is probably the most intriguing match-up for me this weekend. With Bemidji on a little roll, this looks to be an evenly-matched series. As a result, I think I’m going to go with a split – BSU Friday, UW Saturday.
Tyler: Can Dan Bakala shut down the Badgers in the Kohl Center like he did UNO’s high-powered offense last weekend? I don’t think he can keep it going. Plus UW’s defense (2.22 goals per game) matches up pretty well with BSU’s weak offense (2.36 goals per game). Sconnie sweep.
Colorado College (8-7-1, 5-5-0 WCHA) at St. Cloud State (5-9-2, 3-6-1 WCHA)
Theresa: From all accounts, the Tigers looked really good against Michigan Tech … even though it was Michigan Tech. However, I can’t completely count the Huskies out just quite yet. Therefore, I’ll go with a split – SCSU Friday, CC Saturday.
Tyler: The Huskies haven’t swept a team all season and a lot of the blame has to be placed on goaltending. Dan Dunn and Mike Lee are statistically one of the worst 1-2 goalie combinations in the country and CC’s Jaden Schwartz knows how to find the net as well as anyone in the nation. Still, I have to think SCSU has to come out of this weekend with a split.
