jmh@ltuxa.UUCP (Jon M. Hanrath) (02/19/86)
Well, the last weekend is upon us and the WCHA is now probably as closely packed as it's ever been in my memory. I don't have the standings, but I think that withe DU swept by Michigan Tech (was it Anil Pal who said "don't be surprised if Tech does well against Denver? If so, a hockey columnist is born), the Badgers split with Northern Michigan (the Badgers' first loss at home in since losing to Denver October 18th), and Minnesota's sweep of UMD (I think everyone has to wonder the effect last weekend and through the rest of the season on UMD and Matt Christensen's stroke. Not only would ANY teammates illness affect a team, but he was the first line center), I THINK Denver, Wisconsin and Minnesota ALL have 44 points going into the last weekend, and UMD has 43. The Badgers invade Tech and hopefully Tech's big weekend last week will: 1) Show the Badgers that Tech is no pushover. and 2) Take some of the peak out of Tech after winning two against #1 DU. All in all, this is what it's all about. And these games make a difference when the committee selects NCAA contenders. By the way, is it still the conference playoff winners of the WCHA and CCHA plus two at-large teams? I would say that Wisconsin has as good a chance as any at an at large berth, as they are 3-1 against UMD, 2-2 against the Gophs, and 1-1 against DU. I really think the two WCHA berths (if there ARE two) will end up going to Minn, Wis, or DU. UMD has faded it seems in the second half, while Minn, and Wis have played better, and DU has slipped just a bit recently after being #1 all year. It will be tough, but I'd say that if two of the three teams I mentioned make it to the WCHA finals, they will go to the NCAAs, while if a team like North Dakota, Northern Mich, or UMD make it to the finals, the decision gets even tougher. Other news: Next year the WCHA and Hockey East teams will play each other only once by mutual agreement. I think this is a great idea, as now each WCHA team will play home and away against every other WCHA team again. SWEEP TECH GO BUCKY, Jon Hanrath ihnp4!ltuxa!jmh