The weather could have been the biggest story of the weekend, but the games that were able to be played across the WCCHA allowed 3 more teams to solidify their plans to be in Blaine in just three weeks time for the 2020 WCCHA Tournament. In the Southeast, both Wisconsin and Gustavus Adolphus earned enough points to confirm a top 3 finish, while Minnesota's sweep confirmed them as the first direct entrant from the Northwest.

CURRENT DIVISION STANDINGS | LATEST KRACH RANKINGS

NORTHWEST DIVISION

University of Minnesota-Duluth @ University of Minnesota (FRI/SAT): The Bulldogs and Gophers met on Saturday and Sunday after cancelling Friday's nights game, and the games lives up to the hype. The two long-time hockey rivals fought tooth and nail both nights, but it was the hosts who eeked out wins in both with strong 3rd period efforts - 5-3 on Saturday and 4-3 on Sunday. Tyler Linerooth led the Gophers with 3 points, while Andrew Kash picked up both wins.

Now 8-0-0 in the Northwest, the wins were enough for the Gophers to clinch a top 3 finish and thus qualify for the WCCHA Tournament. Unfortunately for Minnesota-Duluth, the two loses finish their division slate at 6-5-1, but it could yet be enough for a top 3 spot and direct spot at the 2020 WCCHA Tournament. Either way, the Bulldogs have made quite the statement this season as arguably the most improved squad.

North Dakota State University at St. John’s University (FRI/SAT): Due to weather, the series between St. John's and North Dakota State was postponed. No makeup dates are confirmed at this time.

St. Cloud State University at/vs Bethel University (SUN): SCSU and Bethel were also hard hit by the weather, but were able to make up the first of their two-game series on Sunday evening in Blaine. The late start, however, did not temper the attacking forces in this game as St. Cloud State roared to a comprehensive 13-5 win.  Alec Will scored 4 ginos and added an assist, a point total matched by linemate Jake Pirkl who had 1 goal and 4 assists.

St. Cloud State improved to 2-8-1 in the Division, but will need results against Gustavus on Wednesday and on the road against UW-Eau Claire should they want to make a late charge for the tournament. Bethel remains winless on the year, and will take a shot at getting a first win when they play a home-and-home against Minnesota State this coming weekend.

North Dakota State Unviersity @ University of Minnesota (SUN): With NDSU not making the weekend trip to the Twin Cities due to weather, this game was postponed and a makeup is TBD.

SOUTHEAST DIVISION

University of Wisconsin at Winona State University (FRI/SAT): The Badgers arrived in Winona requiring at least 3 points to confirm a top 3 spot, and despite a scare from a motivated Winona State, UW broke through to earn their tournament spot. On Friday, a tepid affair had Winona State bookmark a Wisconsin goal in the second for a 2-1 lead, but a solo Wisco goal in the third tied the game and overtime did not produce a winner in a 2-2 tie. On Saturday, the game felt destined for a similar outcome after a WSU goal similarly drew the score to 3-2 Wisconsin going into the third, but the vaunted Badger offense finally broke through for 4 unanswered goals en route to a 7-2 victory. UW's Garrett Byrd and John Simon led all skaters in the series with 5 points each, while Tyler Schreiter picked up the victory on Saturday. Dylan Allamain and Jason Stoulil each had 3 points for the Warriors.

With the win/tie, Wisconsin closed out their Southeast Division slate at 8-3-1, currently second pending the outcome of Gustavus and St. Thomas' game next weekend. Still, the goal was acheived in confirming a top 3 spot, guaranteeing the Badgers will once again travel to the Cities for the WCCHA Tournament. Although only one point was taken, Winona's fortunes following the series improved as the Warriors jumped up to 9th place in the KRACH - just behind the final wild card spot - giving the team strong hope and a clear goal in their final conference games. WSU hosts St. John's in a massive series this coming weekend.

Gustavus Adolphus at/vs Minnesota State-Mankato (SAT/SUN): Gustavus Adolphus completed a workmanlike weekend with two wins over Minnesota State to closeout the top 3 spots in the Southeast.

MORE TO COME....

NON-CONFERENCE
In another rescheduled game, the University of North Dakota fell to Jamestown in a 4-3 game Sunday night in the beautiful, but cold, outdoors at Allen Field as part of Hockey Day North Dakota.