Todd D. Milewski

First things first: • It seems just about the right time for Colorado College to take a week off and clear its collective heads. There’s no telling how far its slump — presently at a four-game losing streak — could have gone otherwise. • That big lead Wisconsin had last week? Yeah, not so much … Read more

First things first: • Will 4:08 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2006, be the time when Wisconsin’s hold on the top spot in the country started sliding away? That’s when goalie Brian Elliott was injured in practice. The junior had to be helped off the ice with a left leg injury and will be out … Read more

First things first: • Wisconsin’s Adam Burish likely will get a rude welcome this weekend in Colorado Springs, after his hit on Scott Thauwald at the end of the last series the Badgers played with Colorado College ended the Tigers forward’s season. But these two teams are too good and playing for too much for … Read more

First things first: • The embarrassment of finishing fourth in your own tournament fades fairly quickly. But for Denver, the problem is the losses to Princeton and Ferris State don’t disappear from their PairWise Rankings figures. The Pioneers finished the nonconference part of their schedule 3-5. • Michigan Tech really deserved better than a fourth-place … Read more

First things first: • Thank you, Michigan Tech, for reminding us why the games still have to be played. • North Dakota’s home losing streak has reached a program-high five games after last weekend’s sweep by Minnesota. With the way that Bemidji State has handled the WCHA this season, there’s no guarantee it’ll end Saturday. … Read more

First things first: • After Wisconsin’s road sweep of Minnesota last weekend, you start to wonder how long the Badgers’ unbeaten streak could go. It’s at 14 now, and they’ll be heavy favorites to make it 16 this weekend with Michigan Tech in town. • Ten players from the WCHA will play for the United … Read more

First things first: • It’s rivalry week in the WCHA, with Colorado College and Denver squaring off while Minnesota hosts Wisconsin. But there are also some pretty important series in terms of points for teams lower in the standings who are looking to make a jump before the holiday break. • In saying that, there’s … Read more

First things first: • Two years ago, Minnesota and Wisconsin completed an unprecedented road sweep of the College Hockey Showcase — unprecedented for the WCHA, that is. With the Gophers and the Badgers back in Michigan this weekend, the bar is raised. • When things go wrong for Michigan Tech, they really go wrong. But … Read more

First things first: • So which is worse, the bad press from Minnesota’s subpar start to the season or the bad press from the shocking — shocking! — reports of underage Gophers players being at a bar and some of them drinking alcohol? I’m guessing that being 3-3-2 doesn’t rank at the top of the … Read more

First things first: • Yes, Colorado College is the deserving No. 1 team in this week’s USCHO.com/CSTV poll. And if they survive this home weekend against St. Cloud State, next week’s trip to Wisconsin should tell us a lot about the Tigers. • The WCHA announced an extension to its deal to play the Final … Read more

First things first: • Welcome to the ranks of college hockey goal-scorers, Phil Kessel. And how’s a penalty shot for a way to score your first collegiate goal? • After some starts and stops over the last few years, instant replay is scheduled to be active at all five arenas that are hosting WCHA series … Read more

First things first: • Weekends like the last one, when WCHA teams combined to go 5-10-1 in non-conference games, are just payback for the Frozen Four last season. • Minnesota’s stunning opening weekend against Alaska-Fairbanks drew memories of the 2003 opening weekend, when the then-No. 1 Gophers were flat in the Maverick Stampede, losing to … Read more

First things first: • After a nice run through Minnesota last weekend, where do you think the University of Alberta would finish in the WCHA standings? A one-goal loss to Minnesota and wins over Minnesota State and St. Cloud State probably puts Alberta in the middle of the pack, if you conveniently neglect the fact … Read more