It’s the penultimate weekend of WCHA action, with playoff spots still up for grabs. (And if you were a fan of this league and weren’t already aware, the Predict WCHA Playoff Blog is your go-to source for figuring out all the playoff scenarios using math and stuff.)
We’ve also got two pretty rare Thursday-Friday series, so the picks start now. Let’s get at it!
Alaska at Bemidji State
With Michigan Tech playing a nonconference series this weekend and BSU up by two points, a Beaver sweep can assure them home ice for the first round of the playoffs. But the Nanooks also need points to make sure they avoid missing the playoffs. I think they get a split here. Beavers 4-0, Nanooks 3-2
Bowling Green at Alaska Anchorage
The Falcons could also use a sweep here in Anchorage if they want a chance at catching Northern Michigan and Minnesota State. Unlike the BSU/UAF series, though, only one team in this series is still playing for something. Falcons get the sweep here. Falcons 4-2, 3-2
Ferris State at Minnesota State
The Mavericks look darn near unstoppable right now, while the Bulldogs have been up-and-down this month — they swept Michigan Tech at the end of January but lost to Alaska in two games in the road two weeks ago. They’re currently in playoff position, but barely — they’re in 8th place. Under other circumstances I would say this is a Maverick sweep, but the Bulldogs and Mavs get together weird things always seem to happen. I think Ferris will get a sweep. Mavericks 6-2, Bulldogs 4-3
Arizona State at Michigan Tech
Here it is, the final nonconference series of the year for the WCHA. The league overall is 19-35-7 in noconference play. Michigan Tech lost to Arizona State the last time they played in the Ice Vegas Invitational championship game, but I think they make amends here and get a sweep — a final help for the league’s pairwise chances. Huskies 4-2, 3-1
