West Weekend Preview

CHA Series
Robert Morris @ Niagara
FRI, 7:00 PM ~ SAT, 2:00 PM
RMU Preview
NU Preview

The Battle of two teams struggling for wins in the mist of the season. The nearly identical 3-12-2 RMU and 3-12-3 Niagara records show that this series could go to either team. Both teams have goaltending that can be sold with good defensive play in front of the net as well as scoring punches that can be fluid once they get rolling.

WCHA Series
#1 Wisconsin @ St. Cloud State
FRI, 2:07 PM ~ SAT, 2:07 PM
UW Preview
SCSU Preview

After a successful weekend in Grand Forks the #1 Badgers return to the road against an SCSU team looking for wins at any cost. Last weekend the Huskies netminder Ashley Nixon gave UMD fits throughout the first game of the series before being overpowered in the rematch. The Badgers will need to pressure the net early and often and keep the SCSU forwards from getting one on one chances on net. If Bucky can execute they should go into the break riding an easy sweep. However if the Badgers think that St. Cloud is going to roll over for them then they could easily be traveling south short a couple points in the standings. The Key to an upset for the home team lies in keeping the score low and hoping for some offensive zone luck of their own.

#10 Ohio State @ #6 Minnesota
FRI, 6:07 PM ~ SAT, 2:07 PM
OSU Preview
UMN Preview

Brad Frost's bunch returns to their home ice after a split in their first visit to the new Bemidji digs. The Buckeyes who were idle last week will need to hope that the extra rest and preparation does some good as the Bucks have look worn down in the second game of the series the last few weeks of action. The Gophers will need to exploit the less experienced Buckeye netminder early and keep the momentum away from their end of the ice because if the Buckeyes get rolling with their quick attack offense then Goldy could be in trouble. With the Jekyll and Hyde nature of both these nationally ranked teams knowing what to expect and then seeing it in action with these too teams is just too hard to predict.

Bemidji State @ Minnesota State
FRI, 7:07 PM ~ SAT, 3:07 PM
BSU Preview
MSU Preview

While home ice has been kind to the Beavers thus far the road trips have not been as pleasant. For the Mavs the location doesn't seem to be the key to a successful game but finishing is problem #1 for this team in transition. While Bemidji has a top flight netminder the middle frame has doomed them in more times than not. If the Mavs want to hold their home ice edge then containing Erin Cody and getting to Zuzana Tomcikova early and often then clamping down on defense should be the top items in their game plan. For the Beavers the need to play consistent throughout the game and keep the play in the Mankato end should be all that is needed to return home for the break with points in the standings.

#8 North Dakota @ #4 Minnesota Duluth
FRI, 7:07 PM ~ SAT, 7:07 PM
UND Preview
UMD Preview

In a series that has seen its share of boiling points over the past few seasons these two squads have no love loss for one another. While UMD has the depth and goaltending the Sioux can be just as dangerous if their Olympian led top line gets rolling. When these teams split earlier this season the Power Play for each team resulted in five of the ten goals on the weekend and certainly staying out of the box in the rematch could be key to the Sioux having success. The Bulldogs, who haven't swept since their Halloween weekend home series with the Gophers, trail Wisconsin by two points and have five on hand over the Sioux and could all but separate themselves for the second half with a home sweep to close the DECC. If anything Brian Idalski's troops have showed that they don't quit and in the end that could be the necessary difference in ending the first half on a high note.

Non-Conference Series
Syracuse @ Princeton
FRI, 4:00 PM ~ SAT, 4:00 PM
SU Preview
PU Preview

#3 Mercyhurst @ St. Lawrence
FRI, 7:00 PM ~ SAT, 4:00 PM
MC Preview
SLU Preview

*All Times Local