With just a few weeks left in the season, the battle to qualify for the 2020 WCCHA Tournament will reach peak intensity as only 1 of 8 spots is claimed going into a massive divisional weekend. Of the remaining 13 teams not yet qualified, only 4 have been ruled out of direct qualification via a top 3 division finish - so 9 teams have everything to play for right up until the final tournament field is announced on Sunday, Feb. 2.

Let’s take a look at where each team stands in the divisional race, with the BIG CAVEAT that the final two spots will go to the 2 highest remaining ranked teams in full WCCHA action - with additional variables at play there, particularly with the second interdivisional weekend coming up next weekend, we’ll focus solely on the divisional play ahead and the ability to automatically quality by finishing in the top 3 in the division. So, even if a team doesn't automatically qualify, getting results this weekend (and particularly next weekend in interdivisional play) will still be vital to claiming one of the two wildcard spots in the KRACH.

CURRENT DIVISION STANDINGS | LATEST KRACH RANKINGS

SOUTHEAST DIVISION

With more results in the bank, the routes to qualification are slightly more predictable in the Southeast, but the need to go out and get results remains:

1. St. Thomas (20 points, 10-1-0, 1 game remaining) - the Division Champion is the only team currently qualified with a 10-1-0 division record and one game remaining. The Tommies are somewhat conveniently idle this weekend and can sit back and watch the action play out.
2. Wisconsin (14 points, 7-3-0, 2 games remaining) - The route for the Badgers is pretty clear; sweep and they’re in with a 2nd place finish. With a loss, however, the door would remain open for UW-Eau Claire to jump the Badgers (if Gustavus sweeps this weekend) due to the head-to-head tiebreaker, so UW should be laser-focused on getting results this weekend.
3. Gustavus Adolphus (12 points, 6-3-0, 3 games remaining) - Like Wisconsin, the Gusties can take an automatic spot this weekend with a sweep over Minnesota State - but can also finish in the top 3 with a split if they follow up the weekend with a win over St. Thomas in two weeks. GAC will qualify if they go 2-1 over their remaining three games, as a worst case scenario would see them tie UWEC on points/record, but they hold the head-to-head tiebreaker and thus would finish ahead. Two loses, though, and Gustavus would likely need the wildcard.
4. UW-Eau Claire (12 points, 6-4-0, 2 games remaining) - UWEC will watch the scoreboards this weekend as a top 3 finish, for now, is out of their hands. If GAC and UW sweep, they’ll need to finish out their schedule and earn a wildcard. But, if either team drops a game (or both do), the door could open for the Blugolds to get as high as 2nd in the Division should they sweep Minnesota State in two weeks.
5. Minnesota State (6 points, 3-5-0, 4 games remaining) - It’s do or die time for Mankato, who need to rack up 4 straight victories in their final 4 division games (GAC x2 and UWEC x2) to automatically qualify. If they do, they’ll jump both GAC and UWEC into 3rd place - but at best would finish tied on record/points with Wisconsin, who own the head-to-head tiebreaker. Still, getting up into 3rd would be an impressive push and setup the Mavs nicely for a run at the 2020 Tournament.

Winona State and UW-La Crosse are no longer able to finish higher than 4th place, and thus would need to qualify by KRACH/wildcard.

NORTHWEST DIVISION

With two teams still undefeated but only halfway through their division schedule, there are a lot more factors to consider in the Northwest where 5 teams still have a legitimate shot for automatic qualification:

1. Minnesota-Duluth (6-3-1, 13 points, 2 games remaining) - The Bulldogs sit atop the Northwest, but the positioning is precarious given undefeated NDSU and Minnesota are each one point behind with 4 less games played. Thus, UMD’s series this weekend against Minnesota is massive. A win would probably be enough to claim a top 3 finish, but two wins would almost certainly do the trick and would give them an outside chance of claiming the Division title. Two loses, however, and UMD finished at 6-5-1 and opens the door pretty wide for others to move ahead. Of note, UMD does hold head-to-head tiebreakers with SJU and UMD and could still earn the one against Minnesota.
2. Minnesota (12 points, 6-0-0, 6 games remaining) - A weekend sweep of Minnesota-Duluth would confirm a top 3 finish - pretty simple, right? Well, on Sunday Minnesota hosts NDSU for the first game of their rescheduled series where the Division Title could be squarely on the line. On the other hand… 3 losses would push the Gophers right down into a dog fight for 3rd and leave open the possibility of needing to qualify by wildcard.
3. North Dakota State (12 points, 6-0-0, 6 games remaining) - The Bison essentially face the same scenario as the Gophers. A sweep of St. John’s would confirm their spot at the WCCHA Tourney ahead of Sunday’s showdown with Minnesota, but two loses would cripple their shot at a Division title and put extra weight on getting results in their final few weeks. The question is - come Sunday, what will be the storyline of the game with Minnesota? A battle for the division title, or a battle to claim a top 3 finish?
4. North Dakota (11 points, 5-4-1, 2 games remaining) - like UWEC in the Southeast, the Fighting Hawks will be closely following the weekend results. Only a final division series with NDSU is left, but the potential for that is huge. UND will need one of the top 3 teams to falter (suffer a full sweep or two), but should they do so, the door will open for North Dakota if they can sweep their in-state rivals. Otherwise, it’s a battle for the wildcard.  Importantly, UND only holds a head-to-head tiebreaker with SJU and potentially NDSU, but sweeps suffered to UMD and Minnesota leave them in a precarious position.
5. St. John’s (9 point, 4-3-1, 4 games remaining) - The Johnnies have a tough path remaining to automatic qualification, but they are still in the thick of it despite it being their first year. The weekend matchup against NDSU is huge; a sweep could push them as high as a tie for 2nd after the weekend. Their other remaining opponent is Minnesota, so if SJU is able to automatically qualify (they will need to go 3-1 or better), no one will question their credentials.

St. Cloud State and Bethel are no longer able to finish higher than 4th place, and thus would need to qualify by KRACH/wildcard.