This coming weekend will feature a full slate of interdivisional games, with the Southeast playing host this time around and abundant storylines set to play out. Each and every team has something major to play for this weekend with the results guaranteed to dictate any movement in the second-to-last KRACH Rankings set for release on Monday. There are two tiers of value at play. First, the top teams will need to continue their hot play to maintain - or improve - their seeding for the tournament, which can provide that all important home team advantage and preferred game times. Perhaps more important, though, the teams currently in the wildcard race have huge incentive for results, where even a tie could be the difference between qualifying and not.

It is prescient, then, that so many of the matchups this weekend involve both of these scenarios and motivations for teams, guaranteeing a weekend of action no one will want to miss.

CURRENT DIVISION STANDINGS | LATEST KRACH RANKINGS

INTERDIVISIONAL

North Dakota State University at UW-La Crosse (FRI/SAT): The Bison stay on the road for another weekend, this time making the trip to Onalaska, WI, to take on the UW-La Crosse Eagles in a weekend series.

NDSU reappeared in the Central Region rankings at #20 last week following a string of solid play to end first semester. They are sitting at #3 in the Northwest Division and the KRACH ranking, good omens for their hopes of making the WCCHA Tournament. Their games last weekend were postponed due to the winter storm that rolled through the Upper Midwest—expect a rested, motivated and well prepared Bison squad to hit the ice.

Another squad that is rested and prepared for the second semester are the Eagles. UW-L hasn’t appeared on the ice since December 8th. That last game, against UW-Eau Claire, the Eagles put in their most goals of the season to date.  Jadon Motquin and Connor Julius will be relied on again as they try to keep pace and earn their first WCCHA win of the season - one that would send shockwaves through the league and likely the KRACH.

St. Cloud State University at UW-Eau Claire (FRI/SAT): The Huskies hit the road this weekend for an interdivisional matchup against the Blugolds from UW-Eau Claire.

St. Cloud State was one of the few teams to get a game in last weekend, a 13-5 win over Bethel at the Super Rink. That win could serve as momentum for the Huskies as they make a late push for the Tournament. Lurking at #12 in the KRACH rankings, points of any kind from a quality UWEC team would be huge. UWEC will have their hands full shutting down the top talent of the Huskies—Alec Will, Riley Dixon, Jake Pirkl all went off for four or more points in their last game.

UW-Eau Claire is making their second semester debut this weekend. The Blugolds are riding a 13-game winning streak dating back to mid-first semester. They haven’t lost since October 19th, an impressive stretch of play marked by quality goaltending, defense, and timely offense. They’re #18 in the Central, but also #4 in the Southeast Division and #5 in the KRACH. UWEC is out of the running for a top three finish in their division, meaning they are angling towards grabbing one of the two wild card spots available.

University of Minnesota-Duluth at University of St. Thomas (FRI/SAT): The Tommies host the Bulldogs this weekend in a very interesting interdivisional matchup this weekend.

Minnesota-Duluth got their series in against Minnesota last weekend, coming up just short in two hard-fought games. Holding at #2 in the Northwest, the Bulldogs are riding into this weekend with the #13 Central ranking as well. What is slightly concerning for UMD is their #7 KRACH ranking—only the top 8 make it to Blaine. UMD’s prospects of locking into the tournament would be greatly improved by gaining any kind of points from the Tommies.

St. Thomas, who is making their second semester debut this weekend, already have their division locked up and are at #1 in the KRACH. The Tommies are also #4 in the Central, one of the highest rankings ever for a WCCHA team. They’ll be looking to fend off a tough UMD team and solidify their hold on #1 in the KRACH, giving them the best possible route to the Carla Berg Cup and further claim to a high regional seed.

University of Minnesota at University of Wisconsin (FRI/SAT): These two storied rivals square off in Madison, WI, as the Border Battle renews itself in interdivisional format this year.

The Gophers got their games in last weekend, a sweep over UMD to strengthen their hold on #1 in the Northwest and #2 in the KRACH. Minnesota, also at #11 in the Central, get a great opportunity to square off against another team ranked in the top 12 of the Central Region in Wisconsin. Minnesota has to be feeling good about their game heading into this series—they’re getting quality goaltending from Andrew Kash and scoring up and down their lineup. They showed a good response following their narrow FGCU defeats by turning around to sweep UMD.

Wisconsin, fresh off grabbing three of four points from Winona State, welcomes the Gophers to town. Wisconsin’s rankings are a bit scattered so far, but they have time to sort them out. The Badgers are sitting at #2 in the Southeast yet are at #6 in the KRACH rankings. Their Central ranking is #8 - very strong for this point in the season. Wisconsin could go a long way towards improving both their KRACH and their Central spots by grabbing points against the Gophers - not to mention border battle bragging rights.

Bethel University at Minnesota State-Mankato (FRI/SAT): Mankato hosts Bethel in an intriguing weekend series in Mankato, MN this weekend.

Bethel comes to town as a sneaky second semester team. With the benefit of a few roster additions, notably WCCHA All Star Tyler Larwood, Bethel has put a scare into Gustavus Adolphus and SCSU since the turning of the New Year. A full weekend series could bring a full roster contingent down to Mankato, something that bodes well for the Royals. Expect them to push hard for their first WCCHA win of the season.

Mankato has emerged victorious just once this semester, a 7-0 win over Iowa State University. They followed that up with a tightly contested sweep at the hands of Gustavus. The talent is there for the Mavericks to push for a wild card spot in the WCCHA Tournament, but consistency over the final stretch will be key. They sit at #11 in the KRACH rankings, but mere rating points behind the next couple teams in front of them which would indicate an ability to move up with results over their final league games.

St. John’s University at Winona State University (FRI/SAT): St. John’s is making their second semester debut this weekend in an interdivision contest against the Winona State Warriors. This matchup has huge implications on the WCCHA Tournament—SJU is #10 in the KRACH rankings and WSU is #9.  

It’s been somewhat of an up and down season for the Johnnies. Their last action out was a 15-2 win over Bethel, but before that were two straight losses. If the Johnnies can find consistency, they could leapfrog Winona State and possibly overtake North Dakota for a wild card spot. If not, they may be on the outside looking in.

Winona State will be looking to build off a promising weekend last weekend. They took on Wisconsin and earned a tie against one of the top teams in the Central Region. WSU has showed that they can hang with the top dogs of the WCCHA; a tie against Wisconsin, close games with UWEC, St. Thomas, and Gustavus should give this young Warrior squad confidence heading into this series, along with the important motivation of knowing they can still make the tournament with some big results.

University of North Dakota at Gustavus Adolphus College (SAT/SUN): The Fighting Hawks from UND head into another big series this weekend in the WCCHA as they square off against the Gusties.

The Fighting Hawks, precariously at the #8 KRACH ranking, need points in any way they can get them to hold off the teams behind them. UND’s only action this semester came last weekend as they took part in Hockey Day North Dakota. They battled the University of Jamestown outside and came up just short. The Hawks no doubt are welcoming the warmer move inside as they turn their attention to tangling with a solid GAC team. North Dakota has another challenging matchup next weekend against NDSU, adding even more intensity to this series as they look to lock down a wild card berth.

Gustavus has been busy this semester already, notching four games and in turn, four wins. They’re listed at #15 in the Central, #3 in the Southeast, and #4 in the KRACH. They do have a chance to move up in the KRACH and improve their seeding still, something that is very important as the WCCHA Tournament grows ever more competitive.

NORTHWEST DIVISION

North Dakota State University at University of Minnesota (SUN): With both team closing out interdivisional play on Saturday, the Bison and Gophers will meet on Sunday on outdoor ice in Coon Rapids for what could be the division title decider. With time limited, NDSU will be desparate for an all-important league win over Minnesota, who because of weather-related circumstances will likely finish out with 2 more games played in the division and thus more opportunity to net the points necessary for the division title. The Bison can put that off, however, and stake a claim of their own if they can nip a victory in hostile territory. Everyone - neutrals included - will be saying prayers for good weather so that this marquee matchup can go off without a hitch.

NON-CONFERENCE

In non-conference action, Winona State matches up with St. Mary’s University on Thursday night. Winona won the first meeting of the season 10-2 on November 21st and will be going for the season sweep.

WEEKEND SCHEDULE/RESULTS