Todd D. Milewski

Home ice? Who cares about home ice? Apparently, WCHA teams do, as all five favorites advance to the Final Five this weekend. Todd D. Milewski previews all the competition from St. Paul, Minn.

Denver battled back to share the MacNaughton Cup, but now must focus on the task at hand: dangerous, if last-place, Michigan Tech. Also, Minnesota-Duluth gets hot at the right time, but Wisconsin can’t say the same; the WCHA’s final standings confound the pundits; and Todd D. Milewski previews all five first-round series.

The Gold Pan, symbol of the Denver-Colorado College rivalry, may be missing, but Todd D. Milewski says DU and CC have even bigger fish to fry, in the form of the MacNaughton Cup. Also: Minnesota coach Don Lucia shelves the carrot for the stick, and Minnesota-Duluth rookie Ryan Carter makes waves late.

Coming into the final two weeks, the WCHA race is tight at both ends, Todd D. Milewski notes. Also: Marty Sertich exhibits grace under pressure for CC, Alaska-Anchorage can still pull off home ice, and Wisconsin’s power play isn’t hitting on all cylinders these days.

Coming off a stunning weekend at Minnesota, no one is liable to want Alaska-Anchorage in the playoffs, but someone’s going to get the Seawolves regardless. Also: North Dakota welcomes back Brady Murray, and St. Cloud State head coach Craig Dahl keeps his Huskies focused. Todd D. Milewski reports.

Denver’s unpleasant experience a year ago toughens the Pioneers this time around; Minnesota salvages a weekend at Wisconsin in the last period of play; Alaska-Anchorage has no quick fix for a difficult season; and instant replay lives up to its promise. Todd D. Milewski reports.

Former UND head coach Dean Blais weighs in on the WCHA race; the league’s instant-replay provision gets it right at Magness Arena; and Minnesota isn’t panicking despite a rocky stretch of play. Todd D. Milewski reports.

Michigan Tech, coming off a stunning sweep of Minnesota, tries to repeat the feat against Colorado College; Wisconsin holds the lead in the WCHA standings, but the Badgers’ schedule does them no favors from here on out; and Minnesota-Duluth might be pointed in the right direction after a disappointing first half. Todd D. Milewski reports.

Signs point to an exciting second half in the WCHA, as Todd D. Milewski breaks out the Magic 8-Ball for prognostications. Also: Minnesota may leave room for two in net, Denver scores at even strength, and Alaska-Anchorage makes the best of two losses.

Despite a sweep of No. 1 Minnesota, CC can’t convince every voter in the poll this week; Wisconsin’s Ryan MacMurchy executes a 180; St. Cloud State weiries of moral victories; and Minnesota gets a semi-home game from Minnesota State. Todd D. Milewski reports.

Wisconsin and St. Cloud State, with nominally similar tournament results, are a world apart in outlook; two CC players make their marks on the national scene; and shootouts abound for WCHA teams over the holidays. Todd D. Milewski reports.

Denver and Minnesota-Duluth meet in a rematch of last season’s Frozen Four semifinal — but it’s not the confrontation the pundits expected; a WCHA veteran gets ready for the World Juniors; and Minnesota State earns some respect. Todd D. Milewski reports.

The WCHA is well-represented at the World Juniors — even without Wisconsin leader scorer Robbie Earl; St. Cloud State and Minnesota renew their rivalry this weekend; and Minnesota State’s fortune seem to hinge, statistically at lease, on freshman Travis Morin. Todd D. Milewski reports.

North Dakota battles through injury; the WCHA and Hockey East trade refs; St. Cloud State looks for a model for success; and the weekend’s marquee series pits Minnesota against Colorado College. Todd D. Milewski reports.

Minnesota-Duluth reaches a critical stretch; Minnesota State’s special teams give the Mavericks new life; and the College Hockey Showcase hits, this time with the nation’s top three teams on display. Todd D. Milewski reports.

Alaska-Anchorage loses its national ranking, but not its determination; North Dakota battles for offense; the real Bernd Bruckler returns; and Denver cleans up in the suddenly little-noticed NHL scouting rankings. Todd D. Milewski reports.

National championship — check. Next up on Denver’s wish list: a shot at the Gold Pan as its rivalry with fast-starting Colorado College resumes. Also, Wisconsin head coach Mike Eaves weighs in on Danny Irmen’s game winning penalty shot last weekend, and Dave Hakstol looks for growth from UND. Todd D. Milewski reports.