The WCHA race is tightening up, thanks in part to a previously struggling Wisconsin which defeated league-leading Denver 3-1 Saturday in Denver. The Badgers earned three of four points on the weekend. The Pioneers lead by three points, but the next six teams are separated by a mere two points.
After a 4-4 tie Saturday night at Michigan Tech, Minnesota Duluth is tied for eighth place with Tech and Wisconsin.
Mike Seidel is tied for the WCHA goal-scoring lead for all games with 10. Tony Cameranesi and Austin Farley are tied for the league scoring lead for rookies at 15 points. UMD’s power play is No. 1 in the league at 25.4 percent (18-71). UMD is home this weekend with Bemidji State.
Recaps from Houghton, Mich., from the News Tribune here and U.S. College Hockey Online here.
At Denver, John Ramage’s first goal of the season, an empty-net, shorthander with 9 seconds left clinched the deal as Wisconsin defeated No. 5 Denver 3-1. Denver is 0-3-1 the last four games, including a 1-1 tie Friday. Wisconsin ended an 0-5-3 winless streak. Wisconsin led 2-0 after one period and 2-1 after two. Denver led in shots 36-25. Winning goalie Landon Peterson had 35 saves. Attendance 5,702. From the Wisconsin State Journal here and Denver Post here.
At Mankato, Minnesota State-Mankato scored two goals per period to beat Bemidji State 6-1 for a series sweep. Mankato was 3-7 on power plays and led in shots 32-18. Eriah Hayes (8) had a goal and Teddy Blueger three assists. Winning goalie Stephon Willliams made 17 saves. Mankato has four straight wins and Bemidj is 1-6-1 the last eight games. Attendance 3,699. From the Mankato Free Press here and Bemidji Pioneer here.
At Minneapolis, Erik Haula, Nick Bjugstad and Tom Serratore scored as No. 3 Minnesota reversed things from the night before with a 3-2 win over No. 13 Nebraska-Omaha. Minnesota had two power-play goals and led in shots 33-20. Omaha’s seven-game win streak was snapped and goalie John Faulkner (8-1-1) suffered his first loss. Attendance 10,103. From the St. Paul Pioneer Press here, Minneapolis Star Tribune here and Omaha World Herald here.
At Colorado Springs, Colo., Dillon Simpson scored with an extra attacker with 13 seconds left in regulation and Drake Caggiula scored 51 seconds into overtime as No. 7 North Dakota rallied to beat No. 18 Colorado College 3-2. North Dakota led in shots 42-20 (and 89-46 for the weekend). Josh Thorimbert was in goal for CC. Attendance 7,021. From the Colorado Springs Gazette here and the Grand Forks Herald here.
At Anchorage, Alaska, Scott Allen, Scott Warner and Daniel Naslund scored as Alaska Anchorage broke a winless streak in a 3-1 victory over No. 14 St. Cloud State. The Seawolves entered the game 0-4-3. The Huskies didn’t score until 4:24 remained. St. Cloud State led in shots 33-22. Winning goalie Chris Kamal had 32 saves. Attendance 2,287. From the Anchorage Daily News here.
WCHA Standings and Summaries Courtesy of College Hockey Stats.net
1 Denver 15 10 7- 2- 1 .750 37- 23 14 9- 4- 1 .679 52- 34 2 Minnesota 12 10 5- 3- 2 .600 28- 24 15 10- 3- 2 .733 49- 28 St. Cloud State 12 10 6- 4- 0 .600 30- 22 14 8- 6- 0 .571 47- 34 4 Nebraska Omaha 11 8 5- 2- 1 .688 26- 20 14 9- 4- 1 .679 50- 30 5 Colorado College 10 8 5- 3- 0 .625 31- 27 16 8- 7- 1 .531 59- 55 North Dakota 10 8 4- 2- 2 .625 26- 23 14 7- 5- 2 .571 42- 37 Minnesota State 10 10 5- 5- 0 .500 31- 28 14 7- 5- 2 .571 44- 37 8 Michigan Tech 7 10 3- 6- 1 .350 28- 39 12 4- 7- 1 .375 38- 47 Minnesota Duluth 7 10 2- 5- 3 .350 28- 34 14 4- 7- 3 .393 40- 44 Wisconsin 7 10 2- 5- 3 .350 19- 25 12 2- 7- 3 .292 22- 31 11 Bemidji State 6 10 2- 6- 2 .300 24- 36 12 3- 7- 2 .333 29- 38 12 Alaska Anchorage 5 8 1- 4- 3 .312 18- 25 12 3- 5- 4 .417 29- 36
Minnesota Duluth 4 at Michigan Tech 4, tie Box Bemidji State 1 at Minnesota State 6 Box Nebraska Omaha 2 at Minnesota 3 Box North Dakota 3 at Colorado College 2, OT Box Wisconsin 3 at Denver 1 Box St. Cloud State 1 at Alaska Anchorage 3 Box
