Woah, it’s March! The final weekend of the regular season. That came by quick.
You know what that means: It’s the WCHA, so literally* everything is still up for grabs (*OK, not exactly LITERALLY, but you get the idea).
Strap in, because these ones should be fun.
Bemidji State at Minnesota State
Shane: The Mavericks are back playing home for the first time in a month and have a chance to clinch a championship there, something they’ve never done. Last year, they got a split in Bemidji and took the MacNaughton Cup back to Mankato with them. The Beavers won’t make things easy, but I think MSU is motivated to not only win another title but win it outright. Mavericks 3-2, 4-2
Jack: The Beavers haven’t won in Mankato since 2011, but they haven’t played badly there (or against the Mavericks) as of late. I think that streak breaks this weekend, adding to some more chaos this weekend. Beavers 3-2, Mavericks 3-2
Northern Michigan at/vs. Michigan Tech
Shane: There’s much at state for both of these teams as the Huskies are trying to get the MacNaughton back in Houghton for the first time in 40 years. Tech is playing some good hockey, but this is a rivalry and one in which the Wildcats are desperate to get home ice. As they did earlier in the year, I see a split, with each team winning at home. Huskies 4-1, Wildcats 3-2
Jack: The teams split their home-and-home earlier in the season, and I think that seems likely this weekend. But I think this time each team wins on the road. Wildcats 4-2, Huskies 5-2
Bowling Green at Alabama Huntsville
Shane: Bowling Green has its eyes on a title, too, and will play the only team that knows where it will be this postseason, and that’s at home. How motivated will the Chargers be to play spoiler? I wouldn’t count them out and could see them stealing a tie or two. But we don’t pick ties, and I’m not picking against BG. Falcons 3-1, 4-1
Jack: Even if we could pick ties, I can’t see that happening to the Falcons losing this weekend. It might be a pair of close games, though. Falcons 3-2, 4-3
Lake Superior State at Ferris State
Shane: Ferris State followed a hot streak with a slump and needs points to get a home ice. The Lakers know they’ll be on the road for the playoffs so this will be a good test for them. They’ve been pesky all year. Lakers 2-1, Bulldogs 4-1
Jack: Depending on what happens to NMU, the Bulldogs are likely going to need at least three points to get home ice. But these teams split last time around so I can certainly see that happening again. Bulldogs 3-1, Lakers 2-1
Alaska Anchorage at Alaska
Shane: This is a true playoff series with the possibility of one team moving on and one team having its season end. The Seawolves hold the slight edge over their archrivals. I think Alaska wins the Governor’s Cup but Anchorage gets to play next week. Seawolves 4-2, Nanooks 3-1
Jack: This should be the best series of the weekend for sure. Even though both teams have had somewhat disappointing seasons, the intensity is going to be off the charts. Both teams know what they need to do: If the Nanooks get three points, they’re in the playoffs. The Seawolves get the nod if anything else happens. I think this one will go down to the wire with Alaska winning on Friday night to set up a frenetic Finish on Saturday. Get the coffee ready. Nanooks 4-2, Seawolves 5-4
Last week: Shane 6-2-2, Jack 6-2-2. Overall: Shane: 109-63-31, Jack 97-75-31
