Nearly every newspaper and website that covers the WCHA this week used these words in their headlines: 'Much at stake.' Well, it's true ...
On Saturday, MSU will honor the team's four seniors — Johnny McInnis, Josh Nelson, Zach Lehrke and Evan Karambelas. That class certainly has given the Mavericks some strong leadership. But remember in November when Lehrke was retired and Nelson appeared to be done for the season? Their return has been a big key to why the team is where it's at this weekend.
Talking to McInnis about that, he mentioned how that class came in as a much bigger freshman group. Besides those four, juniors Chase Grant and Matt Leitner entered college at the same time (both had redshirt year), and the class also included Corey Leivermann (now at Gustavus), Danny Heath (student-assistant with Mavs) and J.P. Burkemper (turned pro).
For Michigan Tech, there are some things riding in this series, too (there is for nine of the 10 teams in the conference), as the Huskies hope to grab one of the two remaining home-ice spots for next week's playoffs. They're currently in position for that now, but the standings are tight.
Read more about this weekend's series (including which MSU players are in contention for individual accolades after this weekend) here.
Going around the WCHA ...
Lake Superior State at Ferris State: Minnesota State beat up on the Lakers last week, now it hopes they can take some points away from the Bulldogs. Ferris State was swept at Alaska last week, which, combined with MSU's seven-game win streak, put it into the first-place tie. Like MSU, the Bulldogs have been very good at home. Lake Superior, meanwhile, is trying to avoid slipping out of playoff contention.
Bemidji State at Bowling Green: Kind of a weird two-series stretch for the Beavers. First, there was a big home split with Ferris State. Then, after a week off, they split at home with Alabama-Huntsville. Now, they're going on the road and playing for their postseason lives. Bowling Green is playing for the same thing; it could get home ice, make the playoffs or miss out completely. One thing's for sure about the Falcons, they've turned around their program. And eight seniors had a hand in that resurgence.
Northern Michigan at Alabama Huntsville: The Wildcats are the team holding that ninth-place spot this week, and they desperately hope they're out of it by the end of the weekend. One thing's for sure: The Chargers' win at Bemidji last week proved that four points are anything but automatic against Huntsville. UAH may have just two wins this season, but coach Mike Corbett believes the program is finally headed in the right direction.
Alaska Anchorage at Alaska: All eyes will be on Fairbanks, Alaska, late Saturday night/early Sunday morning (don't forget to turn your clocks ahead) as that final game between two rivals likely will decide plenty for the playoffs. The Seawolves have had quite the turnaround this season, but they haven't clinched a postseason spot just yet. The Nanooks might be the hottest team in the conference this week (they're at least right up there with MSU). They're in the playoffs but want home ice.
Read more about the tight standings and how things might shake out in my and Matt Wellens' USCHO column. See our weekend predictions here.
ICYMI, there's a good column by The Bemidji Pioneer's Jack Hittinger about all the excitement in the newlook WCHA this season.
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