As we enter the final week of November, the WCHA is shaping up to be an extremely tight race for second place with two teams tied for second in Bemidji State and Alaska, and three more teams, Bowling Green, Northern Michigan and Michigan Tech, all one game back.
Jack and I continue to remain close to each other in picks, which makes our race interesting despite his head start.
Daver last week: 7-3-0
Jack last week: 6-4-0
Daver this season: 32-18-3
Jack this season: 44-32-6
Bemidji State at Lake Superior
Last Saturday, the Lakers ended their losing skid with a big win over Bowling Green led by a goal and an assist from Max Humitz. The Beavers completed a sweep of Alabama Huntsville.
Daver: BSU sweeps 4-2, 3-2
Jack: BSU wins 4-1 Friday, LSSU wins 3-2 Saturday
Northern Michigan at Alabama Huntsville
The Wildcats lost both games last weekend to a surging Michigan Tech squad. They are looking for scoring from anyone not named Griffin Loughran, who has 11 goals on the season. The Chargers are still searching for their first win of the season.
Daver: NMU sweeps 3-1, 4-2
Jack: NMU sweeps 4-0, 3-1
Ferris at Alaska Anchorage
The Bulldogs split last weekend in Alaska. This weekend, they are looking to leapfrog the Seawolves in the standings. The Seawolves come into the weekend fresh off a tough road trip to Minnesota State and are looking to find the net again after scoring just two goals in their last four games.
Daver: UAA wins Friday, 3-2, FSU wins Saturday 3-1
Jack: Ferris sweeps 4-3, 2-1
Michigan Tech at Alaska
The Nanooks stunned the Huskies in Houghton in late October thanks in large part to the play of Gustavs Grigals. The Huskies come into this weekend winners of four in a row over a pair of U.P. rivals in Lake Superior and Northern Michigan and are playing some of their best hockey of the season.
Daver: MTU sweeps 3-2, 2-1
Jack: Alaska wins Friday 4-2; Tech wins Saturday 3-2
Bowling Green at/vs Notre Dame
Fresh off a split with the Lakers, the Falcons are looking to take advantage of a non-conference weekend. The Fighting Irish are coming off a frustrating weekend where they tied and lost to Michigan State. While they did earn the extra point on Friday in a shootout, the Irish are still looking for more consistency.
Daver: BGSU wins Friday 3-1, ND wins Saturday 5-2
Jack: ND wins 5-3 Friday; BGSU wins 3-1 Saturday
Minnesota State at Minnesota Duluth
Since getting swept by Wisconsin, the Bulldogs have been playing much better hockey, having won six of the last eight games. The Mavericks just find ways to win games and are playing some of their best hockey in the latter stages of November.
Daver: MSU sweeps 5-2, 4-1
Jack: MSU sweeps, 4-2, 3-2
