As WCHA play resumes for the second half of 2011-12, coach Dean Blais of Nebraska-Omaha reports that weekend crowds for games against top-ranked Minnesota Duluth at CenturyLink Center will be record-setting. More than 14,000 tickets have been sold for Friday and about 11,000 for Saturday, and those numbers are expected to rise. Seating capacity is about 15,900. The building is seeking its first college hockey sellouts.

The News Tribune has a Thursday update on the Bulldogs and their offensive game, 4.10 goals a game, here.

The Bulldogs, who started a bus journey to Omaha on Wednesday night, are reporting no injuries and no lineup changes.

The Omaha World-Herald has a couple of stories: one on Joe Krause of Hermantown (brother of UMD freshman forward Adam Krause). Joe has just recently become eligible to play for the Red Mavs and his update is here. And Omaha coach Dean Blais, an International Falls native, is featured at age 60 here.

Also in the WCHA: Mick Hatten of the St. Cloud Times notes that goalie Mike Lee is recovering from surgery and may be returning soon here and Doyle Woody of the Anchorage Daily News looks at the Seawolves losing a scoring leader, but also gaining a few players here.

U.S. College Hockey Online has WCHA notes here.

U.S. College Hockey Online looks at the Division III races in the NCHA and MIAC here.