Premium ContentMouse over Home then click on Premium Content for information.

1. MINNESOTA (19-9-1, 15-5-0, RPI No. 6)

The Gophers have a chance at their first MacNaughton Cup (WCHA regular-season title) since 2006-07, which was the last time they won 15 league games. The Gophers are 11-2-1 on Saturdays, including 10-0 on Saturday in WCHA games.

2. MINNESOTA-DULUTH (18-6-4, 12-5-3, No. 7)

A drop from the top spot was assured even before Saturday's surprising 3-2 loss at last-place Alaska-Anchorage. The Bulldogs managed just one point in a home series with Michigan Tech on Jan. 27 and 28 — no shame in that, but it was enough to cost them No. 1. A 5-0 loss to Michigan Tech ended a streak of 105 WCHA games in which the Bulldogs hadn't been shut out.

3. COLORADO COLLEGE (15-9-2, 12-7-1, No. 15)

The Tigers picked up three points in a home-and-home series with rival Denver, rallying from a 2-0 first-period deficit to tie Saturday, which allowed them to reclaim the Gold Pan. Captain Nick Dineen, an Omaha native, has four game-winning goals.

4. DENVER (15-9-4, 10-6-4, No. 18)

Drew Shore is the national leader with 10 power-play goals and seven game-winning goals, while defenseman Joey LaLeggia was named national rookie of the month for January. The Pioneers play this weekend at Minnesota.

5. NORTH DAKOTA (15-10-2, 11-9-0, No. 14)

North Dakota is 11-3-1 in its last 15 games and had a week off before facing a suddenly slumping Minnesota-Duluth, which is coming off a trip to Alaska. Right place at the right time? Under coach Dave Hakstol the past eight seasons, North Dakota has a .577 winning percentage before Christmas and a .704 winning percentage afterward.

6. MICHIGAN TECH (13-13-2, 10-8-2, No. 33)

The Huskies followed a three-point weekend at Minnesota-Duluth with a Friday night loss at Minnesota State-Mankato, but bounced back for a 7-3 win Saturday. Tech is 3-3-2 against teams ranked in the national top three this season.

7. UNO (12-11-5, 9-7-4, No. 28)

The Mavericks have another month to disprove those who say they are still a year away. Too many inconsistent weekends may be too much to overcome. The Mavs are tied for fifth in the standings, but others are hotter. Terry Broadhurst did get two goals Saturday, so that's a start.

8. ST. CLOUD STATE (12-14-4, 9-10-3, No. 26)

Out for three months, goalie Mike Lee returned for a Jan. 27 game with Minnesota, then beat Wisconsin 5-1 and 2-1 this weekend. The Huskies look to keep rolling with Alaska-Anchorage coming to town in two weeks.

9. BEMIDJI STATE (13-12-3, 7-10-3, No. 27)

The Beavers aren't pretty, but they are effective, especially against UNO (6-1-3 the past two years and 1-1-2 this season). Jordan George, who had a goal and two assists Saturday, has eight goals and five assists in 12 games against UNO.

10. WISCONSIN (12-14-2, 7-13-2, No. 34)

The Badgers were swept at North Dakota and swept at home by St. Cloud State. They've got a week off to regroup before Denver comes to Madison.

11. MSU-MANKATO (10-19-1, 6-15-1, No. 49)

The Mavericks have split the past five weekends, including four straight WCHA series (Wisconsin, UNO, Bemidji State and Michigan Tech). Alaska-Anchorage is next.

12. ALASKA-ANCHORAGE (7-17-2, 4-17-1, No. 50)

The Seawolves had one of the few bright spots, upsetting Minnesota-Duluth 3-2 Saturday to snap an eight-game skid that was the program's longest since 2006. They started 3-0-1 after beating UNO and Mercyhurst in the Alaska Goal Rush tournament.

« Sports - Mavs Today

Share