Everybody’s finally back in action this weekend, and, aside from one tournament, eight teams are back in league play. Should be fun to see how it plays out.
Bemidji State at Lake Superior State
Sean: The Lakers come home after a third-place showing in Pittsburgh, while the Beavers had conference sweep last week. Even with this game at Lake Superior, it just feels like a good week for the Beavers. Beavers 3-1, 2-1
Jack: The Beavers are certainly playing very well: They’re in the midst of a seven-game unbeaten streak. It feels like they’re going to extend that to nine. Beavers 4-1, 2-0
Minnesota State at Alaska Anchorage
Sean: Tough times right now for Anchorage, which was outscored 9-1 in its last series. The Mavericks should start off the new year well at home. Mavericks 4-0, 5-2
Jack: The Seawolves have had some rest — they haven’t played since that sweep in Bemidji — but I just don’t think they have the quality to see off the Mavericks, even at home. Mavericks 5-1, 3-1
Alabama Huntsville at Alaska
Sean: Going to Alaska isn’t an easy trip, and this is one of the farthest spanning journeys in the WCHA. But I feel like the Chargers are a better team than their record show and take a couple games to overtime. Chargers 3-2 (OT), 2-1 (shootout)
Jack: The Chargers haven’t been playing badly, but they also haven’t won a game in regulation since early December. I think they’ll take one, but the Nanooks are playing pretty well too. This is a split. Nanooks 3-2, Chargers 4-2
Bowling Green at Ferris State
Sean: Can the Falcons build off the momentum from a championship in the Great Lakes Invitational? I think so. Falcons 3-2, 2-0
Jack: Ferris has lost three straight. This is the only meeting between the teams this year, and it’s at Ferris… I think that gives the Bulldogs enough to get one victory. Bulldogs 3-2, Falcons 3-0
Ice Vegas Invitational
Sean: It’s nice chance for the WCHA to pick up another non-conference championship with Michigan Tech and Northern Michigan battling Boston College and Arizona State. The Huskies were second in Detroit, I think they pull off a win in Vegas. Huskies 2, Eagles 1; Wildcats 2, SunDevils 0. Championship: Huskies 3-2
Jack: As much as I like the Huskies to puck up another win for the WCHA, I’m not sure I can see them knocking off Boston College. Same goes for the Wildcats. I think NMU takes second and Tech takes third. Eagles 5, Huskies 3; Wildcats 3, Sun Devils 1; Championship: Eagles 4, Wildcats 1
