It’s semifinal time!
Three of the WCHA’s top four seeds advanced to this round. The “odd” team out is Michigan Tech, who was the fifth-seed and swept fourth-seeded Bemidji State but was only an “upset” in name only.
The winners this weekend move on to the single-game WCHA championship to play for the brand-new Jeff Sauer WCHA Championship Trophy.
Here’s what I think is going to happen.
No. 5 Michigan Tech at No. 1 Minnesota State
Minnesota State hasn’t lost a game since Jan. 12. Since that game, they’ve steamrolled through their competition and scored a nation-best 60 goals. The Huskies have been OK in that span and sweeping the Beavers will give them some nice momentum going into this series, but I just can’t see them winning a three-game series against the Mavericks. I think this is an MSU sweep. Mavericks in two
No. 3 Bowling Green at No. 2 Northern Michigan
To evenly-matched teams meet in Marquette this weekend. The winner likely has a shot at making the NCAA tournament as an at-large team. The loser likely goes home for the season. Although the Falcons will be hungry to finally make it back through to the NCAA tournament, the Wildcats are at home and has a lethal power play right now. I think they edge the Falcons for the win. Wildcats in three
