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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
Derek Martin was born in Crookston, graduated from Crookston High School in 2003 and attended Gustavus Adolphus College before joining the Times. He now lives in Crookston with his wife and children.
