NFL
By Jason Gulden
Welcome back, NCHC fans. So far, this season has been amazing all around the conference, and things will start getting interesting following this coming weekend.
Let’s recap last weekend, the players of the week. Next, we will provide an overview of the upcoming weekend’s games, review current rankings as we approach the weekend, and examine the latest standings.
Last Weekend
This was the last weekend an NCHC team played a non-conference game that will count in the overall standings. Minnesota Duluth welcomed Lindenwood to Duluth and took care of business both Friday and Saturday night. Friday: 6-3; Saturday: 8-4.
The only series that ended in a sweep was the Western Michigan/Denver matchup. Western continued its hot streak by taking care of the Pioneers both nights. Friday by the score of 4-1 and Saturday by the score of 6-2.
Arizona State would welcome Miami (OH) to Tempe. Friday night, the Sun Devils would fall 2-1 to the Red Hawks. Saturday night, the Sun Devils would rebound and win 1-0.
St. Cloud State would travel to Omaha to take on the University of Nebraska at Omaha. Friday night, they lost to the Mavericks 6-2 before rebounding on Saturday night with a 2-1 victory.
The final series of the weekend was held in Colorado Springs, where Colorado College hosted the University of North Dakota Fighting Hawks. On Friday evening, Colorado College secured a 3-2 victory in overtime. In Saturday’s matchup, North Dakota responded with five consecutive goals, ultimately earning a 5-2 win after Colorado College opened and closed the scoring.
Players of the Week
This week’s Players of the Week include two athletes who are receiving NCHC weekly honors for the first time. Additionally, two of the awards have been earned by athletes, winning them for the third time this season.
The Forward of the Week. Owen Michaels from Western Michigan. He has received his first-ever NCHC weekly award in his career. He recorded both a goal and an assist in each game of the series against Denver.
The other first timer has only been in the NCHC since January 2nd. He is from Colorado College, and Mats Lindgren would earn the honor for Rookie of the Week. Friday night, he would get the assist on the Tigers’ overtime goal. Saturday night, he would have his first two collegiate goals.
Ty Hanson from Minnesota Duluth has earned his 3rd Defenseman of the Week honor for the season. He was a force on the blue line for the Bulldogs. Friday night, he helped on 3 Bulldogs goals, including 2 on the power play. Saturday night, he would have another assist while the Bulldogs were on the Power play.
Matteo Drobac was named Goaltender of the Week, marking his third NCHC honor this season, but his first for conference play. Over the weekend series, he allowed just two goals during the Red Hawks’ split against the Sun Devils, stopping 62 of the 64 shots he faced. With these performances, his season record now stands at 11-8-2.
Rankings
Following the games this past weekend, the NCHC still has the previous 4 teams ranked in the top 20 of the UNCHO rankings. Western Michigan, following its sweep of Denver, would move up 3 spots to number 3.
North Dakota would fall 1 spot to number 5. Minnesota Duluth would also drop down to number 6.
Denver, after getting swept by the Broncos, would fall 2 spots to number 9.
These are the only four teams ranked within the top 20. Currently, based on the Bracketology Xtra Podcast from USCHO.com, these four NCHC teams are projected to qualify for the NCAA tournament.
Standings
Following the games this past weekend, all NCHC teams have played 12 conference games. North Dakota is leading the conference with 29 points. Denver follows with 24 points. Western Michigan has 23 points. Minnesota Duluth has 21 points. Arizona State comes in with 17 points. St. Cloud State has 14 points. Both Omaha and Colorado College have earned 12 points, while Miami (OH), with 10 points, would be eliminated from playoff contention by the end of February due to being in last place.
The top four teams host the first round, while the bottom four travel.
Games this Weekend
We have 3 conference series this weekend and an exhibition game to close out the non-conference schedule during the regular season.
We have Minnesota Duluth and St. Cloud State facing off in St. Cloud, Minnesota. Back in November, Minnesota Duluth swept the Huskies in Duluth by the scores of 4-0 and 3-2 in overtime.
Omaha will be traveling to compete against Miami (OH) in their upcoming matchup. This marks the first meeting between these two teams this season, before their scheduled encounter on the final weekend, which will take place in Omaha.
The final conference game this weekend features the top two teams going head-to-head in Grand Forks, North Dakota, as Denver visits North Dakota. This will be their sole meeting during the regular season. These two teams could face off again for the conference championship and an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament in March. Only time will tell with that.
The final matchup of the weekend is an exhibition game, taking place in Colorado Springs and Ed Robson Arena. The Tigers will welcome Simon Fraser from Canada. Although this game will not affect the team’s overall record, it presents an opportunity for the Tigers to build positive momentum as they approach the final six weekends of the regular season.
Closing
We only have seven weekends left before the playoffs start. With the standings so tight right now, what teams will distance themselves from the pack as we head towards the final weekend on February 28th?
Get your snacks and beverages ready and sit back and enjoy some NCHC hockey this weekend. Talk to you all next week.
