Some of the best hockey you will see all year long takes place at the Xcel Energy Center with the WCHA Tournament.
Denver wins 3-2 in OT over Michigan Tech
Michigan Tech has usually been at the bottom of the WCHA, but made huge strides this year and found themselves at the X for only the 2nd time. They were able to play a very feisty game and keep up with the more talented Pioneers. Denver was the faster team, but Josh Robinson kept the Huskies in the game with a very impressive performance in net ending with 41 saves. Michigan Tech looks to be a program on the rise and will hopefully be able to build upon this impressive performance. Denver as usual has a lot of top end talent and their top 2 lines matchup against any in the country. Michigan Tech's defense played very conservatively and made Denver work for their scoring chances. Minnesota Wild prospect Jason Zucker was able to put a shot past Robinson just a few minutes into overtime to claim the victory for Denver.
North Dakota wins 4-1 over St. Cloud State
A much closer game than the final score indicates, this one was up for grabs going into the final few minutes before the Sioux scored 2 empty netters to clinch the victory. Coming in North Dakota needed a W to guarantee them a spot in the NCAA tournament and St. Cloud would need the automatic berth from winning the WCHA Tournament to prolong their season. Both goalies had solid games, but the defense in front of them stymied most chances. North Dakota played their typical physical game and wore down the Huskies with their depth.
The semi-finals on Friday should be some great games with the Bulldogs of Minnesota-Duluth taking on Denver in the afternoon game. At night the best rivalry in college hockey continues as the regular season champion Minnesota Gophers go against North Dakota. Be sure to tune in as these next two days of hockey are the best of the year.
No predictions on tonight's games? That's the best part. And since I've been on fire lately with my hockey picks I'll try and continue the hot streak.
ReplyDeleteUMD over Denver 4-2. UND over Minnesota 3-2. Hate to make that prediction but UND has the momentum and the Gophers are always sketchy on Friday night.
So Denver & Minnesota are guaranteed then?
ReplyDeleteI think UMD will take the first one, it's Denver's 5th game in 8 days. That and it being the end of the season will make for slow legs. In the end, it might be a good thing for Denver to lose so they can rest up for the NCAA Tournament. UMD 3-1
The Gophers will come out firing and exploit the lack of speed for UND. The Sioux will continue their physical play, but the Gophers will take advantage when they are a man up. Gophers 4-2