The final push to the conference tournament begins this weekend as Black Division members #11 DePaul University and UW Oshkosh come out of their winter breaks. DePaul will have the unenviable position of having to go on the road for game one before returning to their home ice for game two. Only one point separates these two teams in the divisional standings, DePaul with four and UWO with three, however, UWO has played one extra series. Momentum is an important thing this time of year so both teams will be trying to grab it and the sooner one can get it on their side the better.

 

In non-conference action, #2 Concordia University WI and Marian University will both take part in the Lindenwood Winter Classic (1/12 – 1/14) and play #1 Lindenwood University and #15 Trine University, along with a contest between themselves, Aurora has a home and home with Davenport University, and Roosevelt University host Illinois State University.

 

ACHA Ranking #5 has three NCHL teams ranked inside the top 20. CUW continues to lead the way at #2 and are followed by DePaul University and Marquette University at #11 and #18, respectively.

 

#11 DePaul University and UW Oshkosh kick off the second half of the conference season with their home and home series. DePaul will have to go on the road for game one before heading back to the friendly confines of Johnny’s IceHouse West for game two. Coming into this series DePaul, with four points and tied with #18 Marquette University, sits one point ahead of UWO in the Black Division standings. However, DePaul has played one less divisional series than UWO and this is UWO’s second to last divisional series.

 

So far in division play DePaul has a goals for average of 3.25 and goals against average of 5.5, over four games, for a -9 goal differential. UWO has played six games with a goals for average of 3.0 and goals against average of 5.8, for a -17 goal differential.

 

Last year DePaul swept the series between these two teams to bring their all-time record against UWO to 7-3, 4-2 at home and 3-1 away. During those ten games DePaul is averaging almost two goals more than UWO per game, 6.3-4.4. The difference increases on home ice for DePaul to 2.2 goals a game, 6-3.8, but decreases to 1.5 on the road, 6.75-5.25.

 

Both teams last played the weekend of December 8th and neither team went into the winter break on a high note. DePaul was swept by #2 Concordia University WI and UWO was swept by Aurora University. So, quite a lot of time that has passed for each team to think about those series and to get back on the ice to reverse the results. CUW sits out of reach for first place in the Black Division, but momentum is a powerful force, especially as the post season gets closer. So, coming off a long break it is imperative for each team to hit the ground running and not waste too much time knocking off any rust.

 

#2 CUW v. #1 Lindenwood University, #15 Trine University, and Marian University (Lindenwood Winter Classic 1/12-1/14)

Marian University v. #15 Trine University, #1 Lindenwood University, #2 CUW (Lindenwood Winter Classic 1/12-1/14)

Aurora University v/at Davenport University

Roosevelt University v. Illinois State University

 

#18 Marquette University

UW Milwaukee

Milwaukee School of Engineering

Lewis University