Times Sports Blog

If you read last week's WCHA Weekly you're aware that I predicted the Denver sweep over Minnesota. Sorry, Gopher fans.

Denver is on the move and Minnesota is struggling to keep up its high level of play throughout the season.

For what it's worth, according to PlayoffStatus.com, Minnesota has a 46 percent chance of making the NCAA Tournament. It's hard to believe a team leading the WCHA this late in the season could miss the NCAA Tourney. North Dakota has a 42 percent chance of making it.

In the Denver series, the Gophers scored just one goal in the two third periods. That's not going to win you many games against top WCHA competition.

With three weeks left in the regular season, the top six teams in the WCHA are separated by six points with all the teams playing 22 games.

My pick to win the WCHA is Minnesota, Duluth. They seem to have the easiest schedule in the final three weeks.

Minnesota, Duluth is at Minnesota State, hosting Colorado College and at St. Cloud State, while Minnesota faces Bemidji State at home, Nebraska Omaha on the road and Wisconsin at home. Denver travels to Wisconsin before hosting North Dakota and at Nebraska Omaha.

Weekend Wars
I can't pick a top series this week because they are all crucial. Minnesota at Bemidji State is critical for the Gophers to get nothing less than a split. North Dakota hosting Michigan Tech will be a battle against teams in the middle of the standings. Nebraska Omaha at Colorado College in a huge series for two teams tied for fourth place, while Denver could make a move if it sweeps Wisconsin. I'm sure after the weekend the WCHA picture will be even blurrier.

USCHO.com Poll
Feb. 13, 2012
1. Ferris State
2. Boston University
3. Boston College
4. Minnesota, Duluth
5. Michigan
6. UMass-Lowell
7. Minnesota
8. Union
9. Merrimack
10. Denver
11. Maine
12. Cornell
13. Notre Dame
14. North Dakota
15. Colorado College
16. Michigan State
17. Ohio State
18. Western Michigan
19. Miami
20. Northern Michigan

USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine Poll
Feb. 13, 2012
1. Ferris State
2. Boston University
3. Minnesota, Duluth
4. Boston College
5. Michigan
6. UMass-Lowell
7. Minnesota
8. Union
9. Merrimack
10. Denver
11. Maine
12. Cornell
13. Notre Dame
14. Colorado College
15. North Dakota

Derek's Picks
Minnesota over Bemidji State, Friday
Denver over Wisconsin, Friday
North Dakota over Michigan Tech, Friday
Bemidji State over Minnesota, Saturday
North Dakota over Michigan Tech, Saturday
Nebraska Omaha over Colorado College, Saturday

My prediction record last week: 2-4
My career prediction record: 104-86

Friday, February 17
Bemidji State @ Minnesota, 7:07 pm CT
Denver @ Wisconsin, 7:07 pm CT
Alaska Anchorage @ St. Cloud State, 7:37 pm CT
Minnesota Duluth @ Minnesota State, 7:37 pm CT
Michigan Tech @ North Dakota, 7:37 pm CT
Nebraska Omaha @ Colorado College, 8:07 pm MT

Saturday, February 18
Alaska Anchorage @ St. Cloud State, 7:07 pm CT
Bemidji State @ Minnesota, 7:07 pm CT
Denver @ Wisconsin, 7:07 pm CT
Minnesota Duluth @ Minnesota State, 7:07 pm CT
Michigan Tech @ North Dakota, 7:07 pm CT
Nebraska Omaha @ Colorado College, 7:07 pm MT

Minnesota, Duluth has hit a rough patch with just three points in its last two weekends against Michigan Tech and Alaska Anchorage. This after going 16-1-3 in the 20 games before that.

Bulldog senior center Jack Connolly, the WCHA scoring leader with 42 points (15 goals, 27 assists), has just two assists in the last four games.

While Connolly is not Minnesota, Duluth's only goal scorer, he is one of the main reasons the Bulldogs have a legitimate chance to defend their NCAA title when nobody gave them a chance at the beginning of the season. He is the undisputed leader of that team and he will set a school record on Friday by playing in his 154th consecutive game.

The Bulldogs host the North Dakota Fighting Sioux (I can say that again) this weekend, and what better way to break out of a slump than taking on a hot North Dakota team. It's the first and only regular season series between the two.

The Fighting Sioux are winners of their last three, including a sweep of Wisconsin last weekend.

North Dakota is looking to get out of a log jam in the WCHA standings in its three-way tie for fifth place with Michigan Tech and Nebraska Omaha, who play each other this weekend in Houghton, Mich.

North Dakota lost another player to a season-ending injury, this week it was announced that defenseman Brendan O'Donnell will have shoulder surgery. Forwards Derek Rodwell (shoulder) and Rocco Grimaldi (knee) have already been lost for the season.

Even with the host of severe injuries and a number of nagging injuries that held other players out of the North Dakota lineup from time to time, the Fighting Sioux keep racking up points. They haven't been swept since they traveled to Mariucci in the first weekend in November.

According to the Duluth News Tribune's Kevin Pates, the Fighting Sioux and Bulldogs haven't met in Duluth for a WCHA regular season game since Dec. 4-5, 2009. There was a non-conference game played on Dec. 30, 2010 in the grand opening of Amsoil Arena.

Weekend Wars
Even with North Dakota traveling to Duluth this weekend, I have to call the biggest series Minnesota at Denver. The Pioneers are looking to make a move and making a statement against a hot Gopher team would be the way to do it. Denver goalie Juho Olkinuora has been playing well this season, although he's 6-6-3, he has the second best save percentage (.923) in the conference and the third best goals against average (2.22). Gopher goalie Kent Patterson has been steady all year long too and has the top goals against average (2.04) in the WCHA and the fourth best save percentage (.918). It's going to come down to scoring and the Pioneers have a triple threat in Drew Shore, Jason Zucker and Joey LaLeggia. LaLeggia, a freshman, is the top scoring defenseman in the WCHA with ten goals and 19 assists. It's time Denver gets hot and goes on a tear.

USCHO.com Poll
Feb. 6, 2012
1. Boston University
2. Minnesota
3. Minnesota, Duluth
4. Michigan
5. Boston College
6. Ferris State
7. UMass-Lowell
8. Merrimack
9. Notre Dame
10. Colorado College
11. Union
12. Maine
13. Cornell
14. Denver
15. Ohio State
16. North Dakota
17. Michigan State
18. Western Michigan
19. Northern Michigan
20. Miami

USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine Poll
Feb. 6, 2012
1. Minnesota
2. Boston University
3. Minnesota, Duluth
4. Boston College
5. Ferris State
6. Michigan
7. UMass-Lowell
8. Merrimack
9. Notre Dame
10. Colorado College
11. Union
12. Maine
13. Cornell
14. Denver
15. North Dakota

Derek's Picks
Minnesota, Duluth over North Dakota, Friday
Michigan Tech over Nebraska Omaha, Friday
Denver over Minnesota, Friday
North Dakota over Minnesota, Duluth, Saturday
Colorado College over Bemidji State, Saturday
Denver over Minnesota, Saturday

My prediction record last week: 3-3
My career prediction record: 102-82

Friday, February 10
* Nebraska Omaha @ Michigan Tech, 7:07 pm ET
North Dakota @ Minnesota Duluth, 7:07 pm CT
Colorado College @ Bemidji State, 7:37 pm CT
Minnesota @ Denver, 8:07 pm MT
Minnesota State @ Alaska Anchorage, 7:07 pm AT
* - (Winter Carnival)

Saturday, February 11
* Nebraska Omaha @ Michigan Tech, 5:07 pm ET
Colorado College @ Bemidji State, 7:07 pm CT
North Dakota @ Minnesota Duluth, 7:07 pm CT
Minnesota @ Denver, 7:07 pm MT
Minnesota State @ Alaska Anchorage, 7:07 pm AT
* - (Winter Carnival)

I am not one to put a lot of stock into rankings. Sure, it's a lot of fun to brag that your team is ranked higher than a rival or that another team is predicted to miss the NCAA Tournament according to the latest Pairwise Rankings, but in a league like the WCHA, where standings change week after week, it's hard to put much stock into rankings.

Take a look at what happened last week. Minnesota sweeps St. Cloud State and Minnesota, Duluth gets just one point from Michigan Tech at home.

Obviously, the Gophers sould be ranked ahead of the Bulldogs, but not according to the USCHO.com Poll. Minnesota beat Minnesota, Duluth in both games it played them this season. It makes no sense.

The rankings mean very little until the very last couple weeks of the regular season when teams are battling for position. Before that, though, it's nothing but a crapshoot.

Note: Thanks to Belle Muse for pointing out to me last week that UND's Rocco Grimaldi is done for the season. I Googled Grimaldi while researching for last week's blog and nothing came up about his knee surgery.

Weekend Wars
The big series this week is, no doubt, Colorado College and Denver. Both prior meetings this season were each one-goal games with the teams splitting. Denver has won five of its last six games and Colorado College has split with Minnesota and St. Cloud State in its last two series. Watch Denver sweep.

USCHO.com Poll
Jan. 30, 2012
1. Minnesota, Duluth
2. Minnesota
3. Boston University
4. Merrimack
5. Boston College
6. Ferris State
7. Michigan
8. Notre Dame
9. UMass-Lowell
10. Ohio State
11. Colorado College
11. Union
13. Denver
14. Cornell
15. Maine
16. Western Michigan
17. North Dakota
18. Miami
19. Northern Michigan
20. Colgate

USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine Poll
Jan. 30, 2012
1. Minnesota
2. Minnesota, Duluth
3. Boston University
4. Merrimack
5. Boston College
6. Notre Dame
7. Ferris State
8. Michigan
9. UMass-Lowell
10. Ohio State
11. Colorado College
12. Union
13. Denver
14. Cornell
15. Maine

Derek's Picks
Wisconsin over St. Cloud State, Friday
Colorado College over Denver, Friday
Michigan Tech over Minnesota State, Friday
St. Cloud State over Wisconsin, Saturday
Colorado College over Denver, Saturday
Michigan Tech over Minnesota State, Saturday

My prediction record last week: 3-3
My career prediction record: 99-79

Friday, February 3
St. Cloud State @ Wisconsin, 7:07 pm CT
Bemidji State @ Nebraska Omaha, 7:37 pm CT
Michigan Tech @ Minnesota State, 7:37 pm CT
Colorado College @ Denver, 7:37 pm MT
Minnesota Duluth @ Alaska Anchorage, 7:07 pm AT

Saturday, February 4
Bemidji State @ Nebraska Omaha, 7:07 pm CT
Michigan Tech @ Minnesota State, 7:07 pm CT
Denver @ Colorado College, 7:07 pm MT
St. Cloud State @ Wisconsin, 8:07 pm CT
Minnesota Duluth @ Alaska Anchorage, 7:07 pm AT

My apologies to my faithful readers that I did not provide you with a WCHA Weekly last week. I was vacationing in Mexico and there wasn't a readily available internet connection. Apparently all-inclusive does not pertain to WI-FI.

Anyway, WCHA Weekly is back for the rest of the season and this time I really mean it.

Little is changing in the standings as Minnesota and Minnesota, Duluth are still the top two teams. With nine teams separated by ten points or less, the remaining six weeks of the regular season will be a scramble for position.

I think on any given weekend, take any two of the top nine teams in the WCHA and you'll more than likely get a split. The teams are so close it's nearly a coin toss.

Minnesota, Duluth continues to find ways to win, Minnesota is holding steady by splitting, Nebraska Omaha keeps playing overtime games and splitting, Colorado College is still difficult to figure out, and North Dakota is hanging on until key players recover from injuries. If UND can get Rocco Grimaldi healthy for the playoffs it could make a long run.

I think Minnesota, Duluth and Minnesota are clearly the two best teams in the league, though. Both are first and second in the conference in both scoring offense and scoring defense.

UMD's weakness is its power play, though, with just a 19 percent success rate it is last in the conference.

Weekend Wars
This week's big series is Minnesota and St. Cloud State. I think this is where Minnesota gets on a roll, dominates the series and gets its first sweep since the first weekend in December. In mid-November the two teams split with Minnesota outscoring St. Cloud State 8-4. SCSU's goaltending has been solid and it looks like Mike Lee may be available this weekend but the Gophers, led by Nick Bjugstad, can score against the best. A Gopher sweep is in the future.

USCHO.com Poll
Jan. 23, 2012
1. Minnesota, Duluth
2. Boston University
3. Minnesota
4. Notre Dame
5. Merrimack
6. Ohio State
7. Boston College
8. Michigan
9. Cornell
10. Ferris State
11. UMass-Lowell
12. Colorado College
13. Western Michigan
14. Union
15. Denver
16. Michigan State
17. Miami
18. North Dakota
19. Northern Michigan
20. Maine

USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine Poll
Jan. 23, 2012
1. Minnesota, Duluth
2. Boston University
3. Minnesota
4. Notre Dame
5. Merrimack
6. Cornell
7. Ohio State
8. Boston College
9. Michigan
10. Colorado College
11. UMass-Lowell
12. Ferris State
13. Union
14. Western Michigan
15. Denver

Derek's Picks
Minnesota over St. Cloud State, Friday
Minnesota State over Bemidji State, Friday
North Dakota over Wisconsin, Friday
Minnesota over St. Cloud State, Saturday
Bemidji State over Minnesota State, Saturday
Wisconsin over North Dakota, Saturday

My prediction record last time: 3-3
My career prediction record: 96-76

Friday, January 27
Michigan Tech @ Minnesota Duluth, 7:07 pm CT
St. Cloud State @ Minnesota, 7:07 pm CT
Minnesota State @ Bemidji State, 7:37 pm CT
Wisconsin @ North Dakota, 7:37 pm CT
Denver @ Alaska Anchorage, 7:07 pm AT

Saturday, January 28
Minnesota @ St. Cloud State, 7:07 pm CT
Minnesota State @ Bemidji State, 7:07 pm CT
Michigan Tech @ Minnesota Duluth, 7:07 pm CT
Wisconsin @ North Dakota, 7:07 pm CT
Denver @ Alaska Anchorage, 7:07 pm AT

I'm so nervous I can barely function. It's Minnesota-North Dakota rivalry time and UND can't afford to be swept again, while Minnesota needs to find a way to get back on track.

North Dakota has been battling injuries to key players most of the season but it is 7-1-1 in its last nine games.

I attended last Saturday's U.S. College Hockey Classic in Winnipeg where North Dakota defeated Clarkson 3-1. UND did not have a good first period and trailed 1-0 but scored three nice goals in the final two periods to get the win. It played much better in the final two periods and limited Clarkson to very few scoring chances. That victory might do as much for UND as any victory this season because it came at a neutral site in a huge arena. It had the feeling much like an NCAA Tournament game.

If somebody knows what has happened to the Gophers since they swept UND in early November please let me know. It's like they have lost all confidence. Losing to Northeastern at home shouldn't happen. Minnesota was seemingly unstoppable after sweeping North Dakota and has since been mediocre.

UND will continue to be without freshman Rocco Grimaldi, while Corban Knight and Derek Forbort are both game-time decisions.

I think a lot of people forgot how close the series was back in November because the Gophers got the sweep. But in the first game it was scoreless until 7:16 left in the second period with a power play goal. Then Minnesota took a 2-0 lead with 8:43 remaining in the third. It was a tight game all the way. In the Saturday game, the Gophers snuck away with the 3-2 win, scoring with 46 seconds left.

Not surprising, there were a ton of roughing-type penalties in Friday's game. Not so much on Saturday, though. This weekend should be just as intense.

Minnesota leads the all-time series 135-128-14 but that lead has shrunk with Dave Hakstol at the helm of UND.

My series prediction: The Ralph will be rocking.

Weekend Wars
The series I'm second most excited about this weekend is Minnesota Duluth at Nebraska Omaha. A pair of top four teams in the conference going at it. The Mavericks don't score much but they do a great job of clogging up the neutral zone and making life difficult for good teams. Minnesota Duluth scores a ton of goals and has given up the fewest in the WCHA this season. Look for one of the games to go into overtime with Nebraska Omaha pulling it out. In four overtime games this season it has four ties. In Minnesota Duluth's four overtimes this season they have a loss and four ties. I say the teams split with the Mavs pulling it out in overtime on Friday.

USCHO.com Poll
Jan. 9, 2012
1. Minnesota Duluth
2. Ohio State
3. Notre Dame
4. Boston College
5. Minnesota
6. Boston University
7. Merrimack
8. Colorado College
9. Cornell
10. Western Michigan
11. UMass-Lowell
12. Colgate
13. Ferris State
14. Union
15. Michigan
16. Denver
17. North Dakota
18. Michigan State
19. Lake Superior State
20. Northern Michigan

USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine Poll
Jan. 9, 2012
1. Minnesota Duluth
2. Ohio State
3. Notre Dame
4. Boston College
5. Minnesota
6. Boston University
7. Merrimack
8. Colorado College
9. Cornell
10. UMass-Lowell
11. Western Michigan
12. Ferris State
13. Union
14. Colgate
15. Michigan

Derek's Picks
Colorado College over St. Cloud State, Friday
Nebraska Omaha over Minnesota Duluth, Friday
Denver over Bemidji State, Friday
Colorado College over St. Cloud State, Saturday
Minnesota Duluth over Nebraska Omaha, Saturday
Denver over Bemidji State, Saturday

My prediction record last week: 5-1
My career prediction record: 93-73

Friday, January 13
Alaska Anchorage @ Michigan Tech, 7:07 pm ET
Minnesota Duluth @ Nebraska Omaha, 6:37 pm CT
Minnesota @ North Dakota, 7:37 pm CT
Wisconsin @ Minnesota State, 7:37 pm CT
Bemidji State @ Denver, 7:37 pm MT
St. Cloud State @ Colorado College, 7:37 pm MT

Saturday, January 14
Alaska Anchorage @ Michigan Tech, 7:07 pm ET
Minnesota @ North Dakota, 7:07 pm CT
Minnesota Duluth @ Nebraska Omaha, 7:07 pm CT
Wisconsin @ Minnesota State, 7:07 pm CT
Bemidji State @ Denver, 7:07 pm MT
St. Cloud State @ Colorado College, 7:07 pm MT

Also, I will try my very best to have a WCHA Weekly next week.

The end of the year is always a busy time for me and I had to take a break from WCHA Weekly. It's back now, though, and for the rest of the season. I promise.

Not much has stayed the same since the last edition of WCHA Weekly. Minnesota does remain on top of the conference but is joined by Minnesota Duluth.

The Gophers are having their ups and downs with an overtime loss to Michigan Tech in early December and a shocking 3-2 loss to Northeastern last week.

The Bulldogs are on a tear, going 11-0-3 in their last 14 games. I'm not sure even the Bulldogs thought they would be this good in defending their national title. They lost some good scorers but good goaltending and Scott Sandelin at the helm is a very good recipe for success.

North Dakota is starting to gain momentum, compiling an 8-2-1 record in its last 11 games. And it's scoring goals in that stretch. Goalie Aaron Dell is allowing an average of two goals per game in his last nine games, which is much improved from his nearly three goals per game in the nine games before that.

Nebraska Omaha is one difficult team to figure out. It has been in an overtime game in five of its last six series and is just 1-0-4 in those five overtimes. All that overtime experience should come in handy later in the season.

Colorado College is another hard team to put a finger on. One week it sweeps Wisconsin and the next it is swept by North Dakota. If the Tigers could build some momentum and put a string of wins together they could climb up to the top of the WCHA. They have a tough non-conference series this weekend, though, with Cornell.

Next week in WCHA Weekly watch out for a photo from the North Dakota-Clarkson game in Winnipeg. My wife won tickets to the game and we're heading up tomorrow for the game.

Weekend Wars
Colorado College and Cornell is the big series of the weekend. Both teams are ranked but still trying to kind of figure out where they stand. Cornell doesn't have the toughest schedule but it did take Boston University into overtime before losing 2-1. Colorado College will be Cornell's toughest series of the season and I would bet on the WCHA team sweeping.

USCHO.com Poll
Jan. 2, 2012
1. Minnesota Duluth
2. Ohio State
3. Minnesota
4. Boston College
5. Notre Dame
6. Colorado College
7. Merrimack
8. Western Michigan
9. Colgate
10. Boston University
11. Denver
12. UMass-Lowell
13. Cornell
14. Union
15. Michigan State
16. Michigan
17. Ferris State
18. Lake Superior State
19. North Dakota
20. Yale

USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine Poll
Jan. 2, 2012
1. Minnesota Duluth
2. Ohio State
3. Notre Dame
4. Boston College
5. Minnesota
6. Merrimack
7. Colgate
8. Colorado College
9. Western Michigan
10. Denver
11. Boston University
12. UMass-Lowell
13. Michigan
14. Cornell
15. Michigan State

Derek's Picks
Minnesota Duluth over Western Michigan, Friday
Wisconsin over RIT, Friday
Cornell over Colorado College, Friday
Minnesota Duluth over Western Michigan, Saturday
Minnesota over Notre Dame, Saturday
North Dakota over Clarkson, Saturday

My prediction record last time: 3-3
My career prediction record: 88-72

Friday, January 6
Minnesota State @ St. Lawrence, 7:00 pm ET
Minnesota Duluth @ Western Michigan, 7:05 pm ET
RIT @ Wisconsin, 7:07 pm CT
Alab-Huntsville @ Denver, 7:37 pm MT
Cornell @ Colorado College, 7:37 pm MT

Saturday, January 7
Minnesota State @ St. Lawrence, 7:00 pm ET
Minnesota Duluth @ Western Michigan, 7:05 pm ET
Notre Dame @ Minnesota, 7:07 pm CT *
RIT @ Wisconsin, 7:07 pm CT
Clarkson vs. North Dakota, 7:37 pm CT #
Alab-Huntsville @ Denver, 7:07 pm MT
Cornell @ Colorado College, 7:07 pm MT
* - Hall of Fame Game
# - at MTS Centre (Winnipeg, MB)

If you haven't read the New York Times' three-part series on Derek Boogaard what are you waiting for?

It was one of the best written sports articles you will ever read and the story is one-of-a-kind. By the end you'll be depressed by the downward spiral of Boogaard and how he went from one of the most beloved athletes in Minnesota to depressed and feeling all alone.

You'll also feel angry at the National Hockey League and Commissioner Gary Bettman for not acknowledging that C.T.E., the brain condition that Boogaard suffered from, is linked to blows to the head NHL players endure.

Bettman's quote in the third-part of the story is:

“There isn’t a lot of data, and the experts who we talked to, who consult with us, think that it’s way premature to be drawing any conclusions at this point. Because we’re not sure that any, based on the data we have available, is valid.”

Talk about being in denial.

John Branch, writer of the story, will challenge your views on fighting in hockey.

Before reading the piece I was absolutely convinced that fighting in hockey is essential. Outlawing it would lead to injustice of cheap shots and the decrease of physicality in the game. Plus, fans go crazy when two giants flip their gloves off and duke it out.

However, after reading the story and seeing Boogaard's transformation over the years and his struggles dealing with his role it's difficult to be in favor of fighting.

College hockey has almost completely eliminated fighting and look at how popular it is. People don't go to college hockey games and hope to see a fight. They go to watch great hockey.

So, with all that said, any and every hockey fan should read this piece and continue to read Branch's work. He did incredible work on this story and many believe this article will force the NHL to do something about fighting.

I emailed Branch after I finished reading the piece, not expecting to hear back from a big-time national sports writer. I just wanted to express my appreciation of the piece and how it was put together. He emailed back thanking me for my comments and stating how proud he was of the New York Times for dedicating so much "time, resources and space" to the story.

It goes to show that the best sports writing is still found in newspapers and not online.

Weekend Wars
In the WCHA, the big series this weekend is Nebraska Omaha at North Dakota. The Fighting Sioux, pardon me, UND is riding a four-game win streak and has won five of its last six games. It is on a mission to climb out of the WCHA cellar to the top. Nebraska Omaha would like some more wins I'm sure, but it has played in some tight games this season. It is 3-2-3 in its last eight games against some pretty good competition in Denver, St. Cloud State and Alabama-Huntsville.

Nebraska Omaha is tied for second in the WCHA in goals allowed and North Dakota is averaging five goals a game over its four-game winning streak. And the best news for UND is that it hasn't been all upperclassmen scoring those goals. The Fighting Sioux, I did it again, UND will sweep Dean Blais' Mavericks and keep rolling.

USCHO.com Poll
Dec. 5, 2011
1. Minnesota Duluth
2. Minnesota
3. Boston College
4. Ohio State
5. Merrimack
6. Colorado College
7. Notre Dame
8. Western Michigan
9. Ferris State
10. Union
11. Boston University
12. Colgate
13. Denver
14. Michigan State
15. Lake Superior State
16. Cornell
17. Yale
18. UMass Lowell
19. North Dakota
20. Providence

USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine Poll
Dec. 5, 2011
1. Minnesota Duluth
2. Minnesota
3. Boston College
4. Ohio State
5. Merrimack
6. Colorado College
7. Notre Dame
8. Western Michigan
9. Union
10. Ferris State
11. Colgate
12. Boston University
13. Denver
14. Michigan State
15. Lake Superior State

Weekly Picks
Minnesota Duluth over Wisconsin, Friday
Minnesota over Michigan Tech, Friday
North Dakota over Nebraska Omaha, Friday
Minnesota Duluth over Wisconsin, Saturday
Minnesota over Michigan Tech, Saturday
North Dakota over Nebraska Omaha, Saturday

My prediction record last week: 3-2
My career prediction record: 85-69

Friday, December 9
Minnesota Duluth @ Wisconsin, 7:05 pm CT
Michigan Tech @ Minnesota, 7:07 pm CT
Alab-Huntsville @ Minnesota State, 7:37 pm CT
Denver @ Bemidji State, 7:37 pm CT
Nebraska Omaha @ North Dakota, 7:37 pm CT
Alaska Anchorage @ Colorado College, 7:37 pm MT

Saturday, December 10
Alab-Huntsville @ Minnesota State, 7:07 pm CT
Denver @ Bemidji State, 7:07 pm CT
Nebraska Omaha @ North Dakota, 7:07 pm CT
Alaska Anchorage @ Colorado College, 7:07 pm MT
Minnesota Duluth @ Wisconsin, 8:07 pm CT
Michigan Tech @ Minnesota, 8:07 pm CT

My apologies to the couple readers of this blog that I didn't have a post last week. The Thanksgiving holiday was hectic and it completely slipped my brain.

I'm back this week and there is plenty to talk about, but this week I'm talking about WCHA women's hockey.

Last Friday, Crookston hosted its first ever Division I college hockey game with Bemidji State hosting North Dakota at the Crookston Sports Center. What a great boost to Crookston Hockey to host an event with such top-notch talent.

North Dakota, emerging as a consistent power in women's hockey, has the Lamoureux twins and a number of other great players. Bemidji State, is an emerging program as well, has the Wheelhouse sisters, Crookston natives, and more.

Friday's game was near perfect as both Marlee and Erika Wheelhouse scored goals for Bemidji State but ended up losing 5-2 in an entertaining game. The Beavers bounced back Saturday in Bemidji and earned a split. To top it all off, Erika Wheelhouse was named WCHA Defensive Player of the Week.

The Wheelhouse sisters made Crookston proud. They have come a long way since playing in the old Crookston arena to playing in some of the best hockey arenas in the country against some of the best players. And then you have Shannon Kaiser, another Crookston native, who is redshirting for North Dakota. It's proof that even someone from Crookston can play with the best of the best if they put in the effort.

Both teams gave great effort and it was a lot of fun to see fast-paced hockey at the CSC. I've been to a few North Dakota women's hockey games at the Ralph and when you're sitting in the seats it doesn't look that fast. But, in a small arena like the CSC the game looked a lot quicker.

It was definitely one of the best events in Crookston in a number of years.

Note: The remainder of this post is about the WCHA men.

Weekend Wars
There are a number of great series to choose from this week but I'm going with North Dakota at Alaska Anchorage. The Sioux are coming off a huge sweep of Colorado College and looking to kick start their season. But the Seawolves always pose a challenge when playing them in Alaska. North Dakota leads the all-time series between the two at 42-17-4 but is just 15-14-1 when they play in Anchorage. If the Sioux are going to climb back into the college hockey picture they need to keep the momentum and sweep this weekend. They just scored 11 goals in last weekend against a solid Colorado College team, so anything less than a sweep against a poor Alaska Anchorage team, which is allowing 3.36 goals per game, would not be good.

USCHO.com Poll
Nov. 28, 2011
1. Merrimack
2. Boston College
2. Notre Dame
4. Minnesota Duluth
5. Minnesota
6. Ferris State
7. Ohio State
8. Colorado College
9. Union
10. Denver
11. Lake Superior State
12. Western Michigan
13. Boston University
14. Yale
15. Colgate
16. Michigan State
17. Cornell
18. Miami
19. Michigan
20. Michigan Tech

USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine Poll
Nov. 28, 2011
1. Merrimack
2. Notre Dame
3. Boston College
4. Minnesota
5. Minnesota Duluth
6. Ferris State
7. Ohio State
8. Colorado College
9. Union
10. Denver
11. Lake Superior State
12. Western Michigan
13. Boston University
14. Colgate
15. Yale

Weekly Picks
St. Cloud State over Bemidji State, Friday
Colorado College over Denver, Friday
North Dakota over Alaska Anchorage, Friday
St. Cloud State over Bemidji State, Saturday
Denver over Colorado College, Saturday
North Dakota over Alaska Anchorage, Saturday

My prediction record 2 weeks ago: 5-1
My career prediction record: 82-67

Friday, December 2
Minnesota Duluth @ Michigan Tech, 7:07 pm ET
Nebraska Omaha @ Alab-Huntsville, 7:00 pm CT *
Minnesota State @ Minnesota, 7:07 pm CT
Bemidji State @ St. Cloud State, 7:37 pm CT
Denver @ Colorado College, 8:07 pm MT
North Dakota @ Alaska Anchorage, 7:07 pm AT
* - Bridgestone Arena (Nashville, TN)

Saturday, December 3
Nebraska Omaha @ Alab-Huntsville, 1:00 pm CT *
Minnesota Duluth @ Michigan Tech, 7:07 pm ET
Bemidji State @ St. Cloud State, 7:07 pm CT
Minnesota State @ Minnesota, 7:07 pm CT
North Dakota @ Alaska Anchorage, 7:07 pm AT
* - Bridgestone Arena (Nashville, TN)

Former longtime CHS coach Ed Nelson is spearheading an effort to document athletics at Crookston High School. It is a monumental task of organizing and compiling all the information and Ed has taken on the job.

Currently, significant information for both boys and girls basketball, girls hockey, wrestling and football has been gathered but there are still a few holes. Other sports such as baseball, golf, boys hockey, soccer, softball, swimming, tennis, track and field and volleyball have work to be done.

If you or someone you know has information from a season of a particular Pirate sport please contact Ed Nelson at ednelson12@gra.midco.net. Even if you're unsure if the information is useful send Ed a note and he will let you know if he can use your information.

Records of a few sports have already been posted online and can be found by going to the CHS website going to "Activities & Athletics" and "Sports Records."

How about Michigan Tech? After going 4-30-4 last season and recording just six points in the WCHA all season, it is 6-3-1 overall and 4-3-1 in the WCHA this season.

Apparently Mel Pearson was the right man for the job. He was hired before this season after spending a number of years as an assistant at Michigan.

Pearson has done a pretty impressive job so far, considering his roster has just one player drafted by an NHL team. Take a look at rosters of North Dakota, Minnesota and Wisconsin and they are lined with the future of the NHL.

The Huskies' key wins this season were a shocking sweep of Wisconsin on Oct. 14-15 thanks to a pair of overtime wins, as well as a three-point weekend from Denver on Oct. 28-29.

Michigan Tech isn't blowing teams out of the water with its 3.1 goals per game average but it's defense has been stellar, allowing just 2.6 goals per game.

The key to that stellar defense has been senior goalie Josh Robinson, who has a save percentage of .925.

And the thing is, the Huskies don't really get into the meatgrinder of their WCHA schedule for another three weeks. They travel to Alaska Anchorage this week and to St. Lawrence the week after.

Following that long road trip, though, they get Minnesota Duluth and Minnesota on back-to-back weekends.

Programs like Michigan Tech are what make the WCHA so great. It may not ever win a McNaughton Trophy or the Broadmoor but year-after-year they compete and keep the top teams stay on their toes.

Weekend Wars
You won't be hard-pressed to find a good series this weekend. Minnesota and St. Cloud State, Denver and Nebraska Omaha, Colorado College and Wisconsin and North Dakota and Bemidji State. I'll take Wisconsin at CC, though, as the series to pay attention too. CC has always been my second favorite WCHA team. How can you not respect a DIII school competing at a DI level? Wisconsin has been very up and down this season and it is a hard to team pin point. The Badgers have played in ten conference games so far, compared to the Tigers' playing in just five. Look for CC to get rolling and sweep the Badgers.

USCHO.com Poll
Nov. 14, 2011
1. Minnesota
2. Merrimack
3. Boston College
4. Notre Dame
5. Colorado College
6. Ferris State
7. Michigan
8. Minnesota Duluth
9. Yale
10. Western Michigan
11. Denver
12. Lake Superior State
13. Union
14. Ohio State
15. Michigan Tech
16. Boston University
17. Colgate
18. Cornell
19. Nebraska Omaha
20. Northern Michigan

USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine Poll
Nov. 14, 2011
1. Minnesota
2. Merrimack
3. Boston College
4. Notre Dame
5. Colorado College
6. Ferris State
7. Michigan
8. Minnesota Duluth
9. Yale
10. Western Michigan
11. Denver
12. Union
13. Lake Superior State
14. Ohio State
14. Michigan Tech

Weekly Picks
Minnesota over St. Cloud State, Friday
Denver over Nebraska Omaha, Friday
Colorado College over Wisconsin, Friday
Minnesota Duluth over Minnesota State, Saturday
Minnesota over St. Cloud State, Saturday
Michigan Tech over Alaska Anchorage, Saturday

My prediction record last week: 3-3
My career prediction record: 77-66

Friday, November 18
Minnesota @ St. Cloud State, 7:37 pm CT
Minnesota State @ Minnesota Duluth, 7:37 pm CT
Nebraska Omaha @ Denver, 7:37 pm MT
Wisconsin @ Colorado College, 7:37 pm MT
Michigan Tech @ Alaska Anchorage, 7:07 pm AT

Saturday, November 19
Minnesota State @ Minnesota Duluth, 7:07 pm CT
North Dakota @ Bemidji State, 7:07 pm CT
St. Cloud State @ Minnesota, 7:07 pm CT
Nebraska Omaha @ Denver, 7:07 pm MT
Wisconsin @ Colorado College, 7:07 pm MT
Michigan Tech @ Alaska Anchorage, 7:07 pm AT

Sunday, November 20
North Dakota @ Bemidji State, 5:07 pm CT

Every once in a while something shakes us to our core and we realize how important sports really is. We snap out of our fantasy world where we think sports means everything and realize that sports is for fun and doesn't mean anything in the long run.

Sept. 11, 2001 is the first event that comes to mind. I'm sure the attack on Pearl Harbor was another one. The death of a loved one does it too.

The tragedy at Penn State is definitely another one of those sad events that brings everything into perspective.

Last week many of us got caught up in the Sioux-Gopher series, including myself. I think it's great that people are passionate about their favorite teams. It's healthy for people to be engaged and passionate about a sports team.

The mess at Penn State, though, brings into perspective how insignificant sports really is. When you think about what those boys went through your heart breaks.

It's a complete shame that so much of the attention is put on Joe Paterno and his status as coach when all the attention should have been put to remembering the victims and the scum-bag Jerry Sandusky that committed these awful crimes against the victims.

Remember, sports are just for fun and in a few years you won't remember who won or lost a game, who scored the game-winning goal or the two players that dropped the gloves and duked it out.

We should never forget the victims, though.

Weekend Wars
With all that said, congrats to the Gophers and their fans for sweeping the Sioux last week. It was a fantastic series and both teams played hard. The Sioux made a lot of mistakes, though, and Minnesota is clearly the better team at this point. North Dakota struggled to get the puck out of the zone and that seemed to be its biggest problem. Sioux goalie Aaron Dell really stepped up his game, though, and looked like he did last season. He was key in keeping the Sioux in the series.

This week the Gophers don't get a rest as they travel to Madison, Wis. to face the Badgers. It will be another physical series that I think Wisconsin that get two points out of. I see the Gophers experiencing a little hangover from last weekend's tough series and come out a little slow Friday night. Minnesota will get the split with a win Saturday, though.

USCHO.com Poll
Nov. 7, 2011
1. Minnesota
2. Boston College
3. Colorado College
4. Michigan
5. Western Michigan
6. Merrimack
7. Notre Dame
8. Ferris State
9. Union
10. Minnesota Duluth
11. Lake Superior State
12. Denver
13. Yale
14. Northern Michigan
15. Michigan Tech
16. Boston University
17. Dartmouth
18. Colgate
19. Quinnipiac
20. North Dakota

USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine Poll
Nov. 7, 2011
1. Minnesota
2. Boston College
3. Colorado College
4. Merrimack
5. Michigan
6. Western Michigan
7. Notre Dame
8. Ferris State
9. Union
10. Yale
11. Lake Superior State
12. Denver
13. Minnesota Duluth
14. Dartmouth
15. Northern Michigan

Wisconsin over Minnesota, Friday
Bemidji State over Nebraska Omaha, Friday
St. Cloud State over Minnesota State, Friday
Nebraska Omaha over Bemidji State, Saturday
Minnesota over Wisconsin, Saturday
Colorado College over Denver, Saturday

My prediction record last week: 2-4
My career prediction record: 74-63

Friday, November 11
Alaska Anchorage @ Minnesota Duluth, 7:07 pm CT
Minnesota @ Wisconsin, 7:07 pm CT
St. Cloud State @ Minnesota State, 7:37 pm CT
Nebraska Omaha @ Bemidji State, 7:37 pm CT

Saturday, November 12
Alaska Anchorage @ Minnesota Duluth, 7:07 pm CT
St. Cloud State @ Minnesota State, 7:07 pm CT
Nebraska Omaha @ Bemidji State, 7:07 pm CT
Minnesota @ Wisconsin, 7:37 pm CT
Colorado College @ Denver, 7:07 pm MT

Much like every season, the Pirate hockey teams will have a tough schedule ahead of them, but this year may be more daunting for both boys and girls teams, though.

Starting with the Pirate girls, according to the Associated Press Preseason Polls Crookston has seven opponents ranked. They include: Roseau (14th in AA), White Bear Lake (6th in AA), Warroad (1st in A), Eveleth-Gilbert (8th in A), Thief River Falls (11th in A), East Grand Forks (12th in A) and Fergus Falls (16th in A).

If the Pirates had competed in the Kaposia Classic this season that number may have been higher but instead they will host their own tournament, facing International Falls and Jamestown. The Pirates are ranked fifth in Class A.

The Pirate boys have one of their more difficult schedules in recent years with six, possibly seven, opponents ranked in the Associated Press Preseason Class A Poll. The schedule for the annual Ralph Engelstad Arena Classic hasn't been released but the last few years Crookston has faced Hermantown, who is ranked third in Class A.

Other ranked opponents include: Thief River Falls (7th), Warroad (8th), St. Cloud Cathedral (10th), Blake (11th), Duluth Marshall (14th) and East Grand Forks (15th).

It's Sioux-Gopher week and the teams couldn't have had more different starts to their seasons. Minnesota is 7-1-0, outscoring opponents 43-14. North Dakota is 3-4-1, being outscored 28-22.

Since the 2007-08 season, North Dakota has dominated the series with Minnesota with an 8-4-3 record, outscoring the Gophers 51-32 in those 15 meetings.

All of those numbers mean very little, however, coming into this weekend with North Dakota losing six of its top seven scorers from last season. Minnesota lost a number of its top scorers from last year but other players have stepped up.

The Gophers also returned senior netminder Kent Patterson, who has a save percentage of .939 and a 7-1-0 record this season.

Coming into the season the Sioux were thought to have a great problem with goaltenders Aaron Dell and Brad Eidsness both returning and both considered top-notch goalies. Dell has been a bottom-notch goalie with a dreadful save percentage of .843 in seven games. Eidsness has been serviceable with a .895 save percentage in three games but not nearly as effective as he has shown in the past.

For the Sioux to earn a split this weekend it will be up to the veterans. Danny Kristo, Corban Knight and Brock Nelson will need to score. All the North Dakota freshman have to do is play physical and not shy away from the intense series in a hostile arena. North Dakota can't expect its freshman to score. If they do it will be a bonus, but Kristo, Knight and Nelson have to get on the board.

For Minnesota, all it has to do is get solid goaltending from Patterson. If he can hold North Dakota to two, maybe three goals, Minnesota will win. The Gophers will score and have proven they can. They have scored against some pretty solid goalies this season in UAA's Gunderson and Kamal and UMD's Reiter.

With what North Dakota has done so far this season, I have to pick Minnesota to sweep. The Gophers have not faced very good competition so far but they are winning and that's all that matters.

Weekend Wars
Other than the North Dakota-Minnesota series, one to keep an eye on is Colorado College at Nebraska Omaha. The Tigers are ranked no. 2 in both polls but have only played just four games this season. This weekend will be a good test against a Mavericks team that can score goals. I could see a split here.

USCHO.com Poll
Oct. 31, 2011
1. Boston College
2. Colorado College
3. Michigan
4. Western Michigan
5. Minnesota
6. Notre Dame
7. Merrimack
8. Denver
9. Yale
10. Ferris State
11. Lake Superior State
12. Boston University
13. Union
14. Minnesota Duluth
15. North Dakota
16. Michigan Tech
17. Northern Michigan
18. Colgate
19. Quinnipiac
20. Maine

USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine Poll
Oct. 31, 2011
1. Boston College
2. Colorado College
3. Michigan
4. Notre Dame
5. Minnesota
6. Western Michigan
7. Merrimack
8. Denver
9. Yale
10. Ferris State
11. Union
12. Boston University
13. Lake Superior State
14. Minnesota Duluth
15. North Dakota

Minnesota over North Dakota, Friday
Colorado College over Nebraska Omaha, Friday
Denver over Minnesota Duluth, Friday
Minnesota over North Dakota, Saturday
Wisconsin over St. Cloud State, Saturday
Denver over Minnesota Duluth, Saturday

My prediction record last week: 2-4
My career prediction record: 72-59

Friday, November 4
Bemidji State @ Lake Superior, 7:05 pm ET
Minnesota State @ Michigan Tech, 7:07 pm ET
North Dakota @ Minnesota, 7:07 pm CT
Colorado College @ Nebraska Omaha, 7:37 pm CT
Wisconsin @ St. Cloud State, 7:37 pm CT
Minnesota Duluth @ Denver, 7:37 pm MT

Saturday, November 5
Bemidji State @ Lake Superior, 7:05 pm ET
Minnesota State @ Michigan Tech, 7:07 pm ET
Colorado College @ Nebraska Omaha, 7:07 pm CT
Wisconsin @ St. Cloud State, 7:07 pm CT
North Dakota @ Minnesota, 7:37 pm CT
Minnesota Duluth @ Denver, 7:07 pm MT

In an interview with CHS activities director Don Donarski today, he said he is currently focused on the upcoming referendum and the head football coaching position will be addressed in the spring. He went on to say that waiting until spring may allow a teaching position to be attached with the head coaching position with current teachers potentially retiring or leaving.

"As it stands, all we can offer right now is a head coaching position," Donarski said. "We want to attach something with it."

Donarski also pointed out that Chris Trostad's resignation is not official as it has not been brought before the school board yet.

Earlier this week it was announced that Alabama-Huntsville is downgrading its program to a club status. It's the kind of news Crookston knows too much about with the Minnesota, Crookston hockey program being cut in 2009.

The feelings that go along with a program being cut is disappointment, hopelessness and frustration. It's like breaking up with a long-time girlfriend and that empty pit in your stomach.

In this day in age of money ruling sports, everyday there is a new story of a college looking to change conferences. Colleges are pushing and shoving each other out of the way to gain position. Each school wants to be in that popular conference to make more money and they don't care who they have to step on to get there. And, although most of those stories deal with football and basketball programs looking to form mega conferences, it's, unfortunately, happening in college hockey and it're do or die.

Programs are bolting their longtime conferences to form new bigger, better conferences. That leaves smaller programs scrambling to find their place in a conference. And if they don't find a conference? Off with their heads!

Each winter I think about how much I miss Minnesota, Crookston hockey and how UMC should have a hockey program. I was very fortunate to cover it for a season but I really wish I had the opportunity to cover more.

Weekend Wars
There are a few intriguing series this weekend with Bemidji State at Minnesota Duluth, Nebraska-Omaha at Wisconsin and St. Cloud State at North Dakota.

With the Beavers and Bulldogs, both teams seem to have question marks still. We may find out one of their identities this weekend. Both have been solid offensively but defensively they are not great.

I have to say I wasn't surprised with Wisconsin sweeping North Dakota last weekend. The Kohl Center is a tough place to play but with a young team like the Sioux it's especially difficult. But I don't see the Badgers sweeping the Mavericks this week. Look for UNO to grind out a split.

I really like North Dakota to sweep St. Cloud State this weekend. Hakstol is going to have them fired up after getting swept last weekend in Wisconsin. The Huskies give up a lot of shots and the Sioux have the talent to turn that into goals. One of the UND goaltenders, Eidsness or Dell, need to step up.

USCHO.com Division I Men's Poll
Oct. 24, 2011
1. Boston College
2. Denver
3. Colorado College
4. Michigan
5. Notre Dame
6. Ferris State
7. Western Michigan
8. Minnesota
9. Merrimack
10. Yale
11. Union
12. North Dakota
13. Boston University
14. Northern Michigan
15. Minnesota Duluth
16. Miami (Ohio)
16. Colgate
18. Lake Superior
19. Cornell
20. Quinnipiac

USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine Men's Poll
Oct. 24, 2011
1. Boston College
2. Denver
3. Colorado College
4. Michigan
5. Notre Dame
6. Yale
7. Ferris State
8. Minnesota
9. Merrimack
10. Western Michigan
11. Union
12. Boston University
13. North Dakota
14. Northern Michigan
15. Minnesota Duluth

Bemidji State over Minnesota Duluth, Friday
Wisconsin over Nebraska Omaha, Friday
North Dakota over St. Cloud State, Friday
Minnesota Duluth over Bemidji State, Saturday
Nebraska Omaha over Wisconsin, Saturday
North Dakota over St. Cloud State, Saturday

My prediction record this season: 5-1
My career prediction record: 70-55

Friday, October 28
Colorado College @ Rensselaer, 7:00 pm ET
Denver @ Michigan Tech, 7:07 pm ET
Bemidji State @ Minnesota Duluth, 7:07 pm CT
Nebraska Omaha @ Wisconsin, 7:07 pm CT
St. Cloud State @ North Dakota, 7:37 pm CT
Minnesota @ Alaska Anchorage, 7:07 pm AT

Saturday, October 29
Colorado College @ Rensselaer, 7:00 pm ET
Denver @ Michigan Tech, 7:07 pm ET
Bemidji State @ Minnesota Duluth, 7:07 pm CT
St. Cloud State @ North Dakota, 7:07 pm CT
Nebraska Omaha @ Wisconsin, 7:07 pm CT
Minnesota @ Alaska Anchorage, 7:07 pm AT

By now most, if not all, of you know that Minnesota head coach Don Lucia has signed a three-year contract extension with the University of Minnesota. What I'm sure many people don't know are the details of the new contract.

If you're like me, you have a bad habit of just reading headlines and assuming you know the rest of the story. Good day. Sorry, I couldn't resist the Paul Harvey line.

The terms of the new deal are very interesting. Lucia is currently being paid $250,751 for this season. However, his salary for next season is not set. Neither are the salaries for the 2013-14 season or the 2014-15 season.

Instead, Lucia will be paid based on performance. Of course, his salary will not decrease but if his performance merits a raise, Minnesota Athletic Director Joel Maturi will give him one after a performance review. This gives Lucia incentive to turn the program around.

In his first nine seasons as head coach of the Gophers, Lucia's team missed the NCAA Tournament just once, his first season at the helm. However, since the 2008-09 season, the Gophers have not qualified for the NCAA Tournament. In the 2009-10 season the Gophers finished under the .500 mark for the first time since 1998-99, which was the season before Lucia took over.

Minnesota has obviously taken a step back in recent seasons. After seven seasons of 27 wins or more, they have failed to win more than 20 games in a seaon. Lucia was dealing with some health issues during the last few seasons but that appears to be shored up.

Some critics like to blame Minnesota's struggles on superstar players bolting early for the professional ranks. To me this is poor excuse with teams like North Dakota, Denver, Colorado College and others able to reload after losing their stars to the pros early.

Everyone wants to see the Gophers back to playing well and winning games. Even if you say you don't want them to, you do. Deep down you know that college hockey is better when the Gophers are winning. Minnesota-North Dakota matchups are anticipated by all. Casual fans tune in to watch the Gophers take on the Wisconsin Badgers. The Gophers winning games is good for college hockey and that's the truth.

Minnesota took a step in the right direction last weekend with a sweep of the defending national champions, Minnesota Duluth. The Gophers are now 4-0 with two gimmie wins over Sacred Heart to start the season. They could very well go 6-0 as they host Vermont this weekend. In three weeks, though, Minnesota hosts North Dakota befoore traveling to Wisconsin the week after. Can you say WCHA meat grinder?

Weekend Wars
The series to behold this weekend is no doubt North Dakota at Wisconsin. This young Fighting Sioux team is coming off a solid win and tie with Maine, while the Badgers, shockingly, suffered two overtime losses to Michigan Tech. For North Dakota, it will be the first time they play outside the friendly confines of Ralph Engelstad Arena. People talk about the Sioux tradition and what it means to play in the Ralph. That's great but the Sioux tradition is winning on the road and being hated everywhere you travel. Being able to go into a hostile building and a sweep a team is what it's all about. I'm not too high on Wisconsin this year but I think the young Sioux lose a game at the Kohl Center. Look for a split.

USCHO.com Division I Men's Poll
Oct. 17, 2011
1. Michigan (24)
2. Boston College (15)
3. Denver (4
4. Colorado College (4
5. North Dakota
6. Notre Dame
7. Boston University (1)
8. Minnesota (1)
9. Yale (1)
10. Miami (Ohio)
11. Western Michigan
12. Union
13. Merrimack
14. Ferris State
15. Minnesota Duluth
16. Colgate
17. Northern Michigan
18. Maine
19. Lake Superior
20. Cornell

USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine Men's Poll
Oct. 17, 2011
1. Boston College (15)
2. Michigan (12)
3. Denver (2)
4. Colorado College (3)
5. Notre Dame
6. North Dakota
7. Miami (Ohio)
8. Boston University
9. Yale
10. Minnesota
11. Union
12. Western Michigan
13. Merrimack
14. Colgate
15. Minnesota Duluth

Minnesota over Vermont, Friday
Wisconsin over North Dakota, Friday
Denver over Minnesota State, Friday
North Dakota over Wisconsin, Saturday
Bemidji State over Michigan Tech, Saturday
Denver over Minnesota State, Saturday

My prediction record this season: 6-6
My career prediction record: 65-54

Friday, October 21
Minnesota Duluth @ Providence, 7:00 pm ET
Vermont @ Minnesota, 6:07 pm CT
North Dakota @ Wisconsin, 7:07 pm CT
Alaska Anchorage @ Nebraska Omaha, 7:37 pm CT
Michigan Tech @ Bemidji State, 7:37 pm CT
New Hampshire @ St. Cloud State, 7:37 pm CT
Minnesota State @ Denver, 7:37 pm MT

Saturday, October 22
Minnesota Duluth @ Providence, 7:00 pm ET
Alaska Anchorage @ Nebraska Omaha, 7:07 pm CT
Michigan Tech @ Bemidji State, 7:07 pm CT
North Dakota @ Wisconsin, 7:07 pm CT
New Hampshire @ St. Cloud State, 7:07 pm CT
Minnesota State @ Denver, 7:07 pm MT

Sunday, October 23
Vermont @ Minnesota, 1:07 pm CT

The Pirate girls' tennis doubles team of Bailey Morris and Lilli Denison will make their debut at the Class A State Doubles Tournament Thursday, Oct. 27 against junior Sarah Hays and Gina Nguyen of St. Paul Academy. The first serve is set for 10 a.m. at Read Sweatt Family Tennis Center.

Morris and Denison advanced to the state tournament after upsetting the top seeded doubles team in Section 8A, Allie Girtz and Bonnie Baumgartner of Park Rapids, on Saturday, Oct. 15 in Grand Forks.

Check out Tuesday's Times sports page for an article on Morris and Denison that includes their thoughts on the upset, the upcoming state tournament and more.

I got a chance to see North Dakota against Boston College last Saturday. I didn't see any of Friday's game against Air Force but from what I saw against the Eagles, the Sioux are in for a grind-it-out kind of season.

At the blue line, the Sioux are quite young with five underclassmen. They struggled to push the puck up the ice and never really ever got Boston College on its heels. The Sioux came out of the gates with big hits but that seemed to fizzle as the game went on.

Boston College made it difficult for the Sioux to get a good look at the net. North Dakota would get the puck to the point and the Eagles would jump all over the defenseman, which would force a short pass to the wingers. Eventually, Boston College would deflect one of those passes to the winger and get the puck out of its zone.

The Eagles are a quality team and they deserve the No. 1 ranking in both polls. The Sioux are young and inexperienced and the underclassmen will need to find their role quickly, while the upperclassmen need to step up and lead the team.

Weekend Wars
The most interesting series this weekend is, without a doubt, Minnesota at Minnesota Duluth. The Gophers feasted on cupcakes to start the season, outscoring Sacred Heart 15-0 last weekend. Duluth's big split with Notre Dame last weekend was a big confidence boost for them I'm sure. Both teams were picked to finish in the top half of the WCHA this season. It will be a battle this weekend so don't be surprised one or both games come down to overtime.

USCHO.com Division I Men's Poll
Oct. 10, 2011
1. Boston College (36)
2. Notre Dame (7)
3. Denver (2)
4. Michigan
5. Miami (OH) (1)
6. North Dakota
7. Colorado College
8. Boston University (3)
9. Minnesota Duluth
10. Yale (1)
11. Union
12. Western Michigan
13. Merrimack
14. Minnesota
15. New Hampshire
16. Nebraska-Omaha
17. Maine
18. Wisconsin
19. Cornell
20. Rensselaer

USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine Poll
Oct. 10, 2011
1. Boston College (27)
2. Notre Dame (3)
3. Denver (2)
4. Miami (OH)
5. Michigan
6. North Dakota
7. Boston University (1)
8. Colorado College
9. Minnesota Duluth
10. Yale (1)
11. Union
12. Western Michigan
13. Merrimack
14. Minnesota
15. Nebraska-Omaha

Minnesota Duluth over Minnesota, Friday
Boston College over Denver, Friday
Colorado College over Bemidji State, Friday
Minnesota over Minnesota Duluth, Saturday
Maine over North Dakota, Saturday
Wisconsin over Michigan Tech, Saturday

My prediction record this season: 4-2
My career prediction record: 63-50

Friday, October 14
Nebraska Omaha vs Alaska Anchorage, 3:05 pm AT *
Wisconsin @ Michigan Tech, 7:07 pm ET
Denver @ Boston College, 7:30 pm ET
St. Cloud State @ Northern Michigan, 7:35 pm ET
Minnesota @ Minnesota Duluth, 7:07 pm CT
UMass Lowell @ Minnesota State, 7:07 pm CT
Maine @ North Dakota, 7:37 pm CT
Bemidji State @ Colorado College, 7:37 pm MT
* - Brice Alaska Goal Rush (Fairbanks, AK)

Saturday, October 15
Denver @ Boston University, 7:00 pm ET
Wisconsin @ Michigan Tech, 7:07 pm ET
St. Cloud State @ Northern Michigan, 7:35 pm ET
Mercyhurst vs Alaska Anchorage, 4:05 pm AT *
Minnesota @ Minnesota Duluth, 7:07 pm CT
Maine @ North Dakota, 7:07 pm CT
UMass Lowell @ Minnesota State, 7:07 pm CT
Bemidji State @ Colorado College, 7:07 pm MT
Nebraska Omaha @ Alaska, 7:05 pm AT *
* - Brice Alaska Goal Rush (Fairbanks, AK)

I'm finding it difficult finding another win for the Pirate football team this season. They travel to Thief River Falls Friday and Detroit Lakes next week before the postseason starts where they will be on the road.

Everyone knows the struggles Crookston has had against Thief River Falls in the recent years. It's safe to say, the Prowlers have owned the Pirates. Last season's thrilling section playoff game at Memorial Stadium is the closest the Pirates have come to beating the Prowlers in recent history but that win only boosted Thief River Falls' confidence even more. The Prowlers believe they can beat the Pirates and that's why they currently have Crookston's number.

Detroit Lakes is currently 5-1 on the season with its only loss an 8-7 defeat to Pequot Lakes. The Lakers are outscoring opponents by an average of 28.2-13.7. And when I say opponents I mean quality opponents. They face another quality opponent this Friday in Perham, who has wins against Park Rapids, Thief River Falls and the Pirates.

The 14-3 loss to East Grand Forks in the second week of the season hurts more and more each week. I think if the Pirates had won that game they would have had the confidence they needed to beat some of the other teams they've lost to. But, instead, they are sitting at 1-5 with two very difficult games to end the regular season.

Do I think Crookston should throw in the proverbial towel and not play the remaining games of the season? Only if the Pirates don't believe they can win. If they think they are going to lose there is no reason for the upcoming games to be played. The players have to go out against teams like Thief River Falls and Detroit Lakes and know they can beat them. I know Crookston has the athletes to beat those kinds of teams but the players have to know it and play all four quarters like they know it.

I'm rooting for the Pirates to get more wins. A loss Friday to Thief River Falls isn't the end of the season. If Crookston gives a good effort and is competitive there is no reason it can't beat Detroit Lakes and make a run in the playoffs. It all starts Friday in Thief River Falls, though.

The college hockey universe has been rocked since my last WCHA Weekly last spring. The WCHA is the conference most affected by all the changes coming to college hockey as it will lose all of its top schools in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Colorado College, Denver, Minnesota Duluth, Nebraska Omaha, North Dakota and St. Cloud State.

Nobody can tell for certain if all these changes will be good for the college hockey landscape. In the short term I could see it hurting the popularity of the sport with a number of team having to establish new rivalries but in the long run it may prove to be beneficial once those new rivalries take hold and the old rivalries are kept alive.

It will take Minnesota fans time to get used to playing Big Ten teams like Ohio State and Penn State but if those programs can grow and become competitive it will be a fun conference to follow.

The NCHC with CC, DU, UMD, UNO, UND, Miami (Ohio), SCSU and Western Michigan will be a highly competitive league right out of the gate. All eight programs are established and run very well.

I feel bad for the WCHA, though, and teams like Bemidji State and Minnesota State. They were left with a Jan Brady conference. The WCHA will be second fiddle to the NCHC and the Big Ten.

The good thing is at least we have two seasons to send the WCHA out in style before it blows up. Two more seasons of the Final Five. Two seasons to think of a new name for this post.

I hate to just focus on the NCHC and forget about Minnesota and Wisconsin. And there's no way I'm going to make it all about the Big Ten or WCHA because that would exclude North Dakota and other great teams. It may have to be renamed the NCHC, Big Ten & WCHA Weekly.

Weekend Wars
The college hockey season kicks off Friday with a number of non-conference games. This will be the first real chance to see what a number of teams have. The exhibition games teams play are hard to bring into perspective because the competition is not up to par with the college hockey level.

USCHO.com Division I Men's Poll
Sept. 26, 2011
1. Notre Dame (11)
2. Miami (Ohio) (12)
3. North Dakota (5)
4. Denver
5. Boston College (2)
6. Michigan
7. Colorado College
8. Minnesota Duluth
9. Yale (1)
10. Boston University (2)
11. Union
12. New Hampshire
13. Western Michigan
14. Nebraska-Omaha
15. Merrimack
16. Maine
17. Wisconsin
18. Resselaer
19. Minnesota
20. Cornell

USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine Poll
Sept. 26, 2011
1. Miami (Ohio)
2. Notre Dame
3. North Dakota
4. Denver
5. Boston College
6. Boston University
7. Colorado College
8. Yale
9. Michigan
10. Minnesota Duluth
11. Union
12. New Hampshire
13. Western Michigan
14. Nebraska-Omaha
15. Maine

College Hockey News Preseason Top 10
1. Miami (Ohio)
2. Boston University
3. Notre Dame
4. Colorado College
5. Boston College
6. North Dakota
7. Denver
8. Western Michigan
9. Michigan
10. Yale

Grand Forks Herald WCHA Preseason Coaches Poll
1. Denver (7)
2. North Dakota (4)
3. Colorado College (1)
4. Nebraska-Omaha
5. Minnesota Duluth
6. Minnesota
7. St. Cloud State
8. Wisconsin
9. Alaska Anchorage
10. Bemidji State
11. Minnesota State
12. Michigan Tech
Coaches selected Colorado College's Jaden Schwartz as preseason player of the year and North Dakota's Rocco Gimaldi as preseason rookie of the year.

94X WCHA Preseason Media Poll
1. Denver (16)
2. Colorado College (7)
3. North Dakota (2)
4. Nebraska-Omaha (1)
5. Minnesota Duluth
6. Minnesota
7. Wisconsin
7. St. Cloud State
9. Alaska Anchorage
10. Bemidji State
11. Minnesota State
12. Michigan Tech
Voters named Denver's Jason Zucker preseason player of the year, North Dakota Rocco Grimaldi preseason rookie of the year and Colorado College's Scott Owens preseason coach of the year.

Each week I will pick from six games. My record last season was a surprising 59-48.
For week one of the 2011-12 season I will go with:
Miami (Ohio) over Bemidji State
Minnesota Duluth over Notre Dame
Nebraska-Omaha over Mercyhurst
Wisconsin over Sacred Heart
Alaska Anchorage over St. Cloud STate
Minnesota over Sacred Heart

Friday, October 7
Minnesota State @ Rensselaer, 7:00 pm ET
American Int'l @ Michigan Tech, 7:07 pm ET
Bemidji State @ Miami, 7:35 pm ET
Notre Dame @ Minnesota Duluth, 7:07 pm CT
Northern Michigan @ Wisconsin, 7:07 pm CT
Sacred Heart @ Minnesota, 7:07 pm CT
Air Force @ North Dakota, 7:37 pm CT *
Mercyhurst @ Nebraska Omaha, 7:37 pm CT #
St. Cloud State @ Alaska, 5:07 pm AT &
USA Under-18 Team @ Denver, 7:37 pm MT
Clarkson @ Alaska Anchorage, 8:07 pm AT &
* - Ice Breaker (Grand Forks, ND)
# - Mutual of Omaha Stampede (Omaha, NE)
& - Kendall Hockey Classic (Anchorage, AK)

Saturday, October 8
Minnesota State @ Rensselaer, 7:00 pm ET
Bemidji State @ Miami, 7:05 pm ET
American Int'l @ Michigan Tech, 7:07 pm ET
TBD @ Nebraska Omaha, 7:07 pm CT #
Notre Dame @ Minnesota Duluth, 7:07 pm CT
Northern Michigan @ Wisconsin, 7:07 pm CT
Sacred Heart @ Minnesota, 7:07 pm CT
TBD @ North Dakota, 7:37 pm CT *
USA Under-18 Team @ Colorado College, 7:07 pm MT
St. Cloud State @ Alaska Anchorage, 8:07 pm AT &
# - Mutual of Omaha Stampede (Omaha, NE)
* - Ice Breaker (Grand Forks, ND)
& - Kendall Hockey Classic (Anchorage, AK)