Joe PaisleyHere are three observations from this past weekend in the WCHA: Denver forwards are producing plenty of goals After preseason questions about their ability to score regularly, the Denver forwards have recorded 12 of the team’s 20 goals in the Pioneers’ 4-0 start, including victories against No. 11 Massachusetts-Lowell and an improved Michigan Tech team, … Read more
Here are three things that grabbed my attention this opening weekend: Minnesota makes a powerful statement The Gophers’ dominant performance in a nonconference series sweep over No. 16 Michigan State sent word around the college hockey world that Minnesota may indeed be as good as the preseason hype. Saturday’s 7-1 win was so lopsided that … Read more
Here are three things that grabbed my attention this opening weekend: Minnesota makes a powerful statement The Gophers’ dominant performance in a nonconference series sweep over No. 16 Michigan State sent word around the college hockey world that Minnesota may indeed be as good as the preseason hype. Saturday’s 7-1 win was so lopsided that … Read more
A lot has been made by the preseason prognosticators about how Wisconsin, 10th last season in the WCHA, returns 15 of its top 16 scorers. As a result, the Badgers were picked as arguably the most-improved team and tabbed to finish fifth by the league’s coaches. The two biggest concerns coming into the 2012-13 season … Read more
An offseason of tumult that included two assistant coaching changes, the departure of two of the top three returning scorers and a prized recruit’s decision to head to Canada prompted the coaches and WCHA media to pick Nebraska-Omaha to finish eighth in the 12-team league. UNO assistant Mike Hastings left to take charge of the … Read more
A strong group of underclassmen and seniors give North Dakota the puzzle pieces it needs to make a run at the MacNaughton Cup and Broadmoor Trophy during its final season in the WCHA. “We have an attractive group of seniors,” North Dakota coach Dave Hakstol said. “We have guys there who we have relied on. … Read more
Denver will rely on a strong defense, anchored by three good goalies, to build a possible league championship foundation this season. “We are a very different team this year,” Pioneers coach George Gwozdecky said. “We lost three big-time scorers in Beau Bennett, Drew Shore and Jason Zucker. Our strength this year is our depth in … Read more
Colorado College will look for some of its offensive players to step up while relying on a solid defensive base in its pursuit of home playoff ice in its final season in the WCHA. Standout Jaden Schwartz, now making AHL goalies’ lives difficult, will not be replaced but there is hope that his older brother … Read more
Alaska-Anchorage coach Dave Shyiak points to an influx of speed at forward and defense as good reason Seawolves fans should be hopeful their team can climb out of the WCHA basement. “Our team will have more speed than in years past,” he said. “This should help us in both our attack on the rush and … Read more