Bulldogs Back to Business at North Dakota

Can UMD Break the Streak of Splits in Grand Forks?

Back to conference play for the Bulldogs.  It has seemed like months since their last NCHC game, but it is only just short of one month…

UMD owns the last place in their new league mostly because they have only played two conference games.  The loss to CC for their only conference win in six games didn’t help either.

Getting back into the swing isn’t going to be easy for UMD as they travel to a tough place to win, Grand Forks.  The stats show that the Bulldogs should be the better team here, but the cliché of throwing out the records and such definitely applies here.

So for the sake of time on this game day, here is the stat comparison:

Images vis Wikipedia: Bulldog, NCAA, NCHC, ND

Of note:

• Great to see the #1 ranking for the Bulldog PK.  But then seeing the UND PK number tempers the advantage.
• UMD penalty minutes are on the decline, a positive for a team that has been taking too many penalties for years.
• Team saves is a solid number for both teams.  The question still remains who will play in net this weekend and will it be the same for both nights.

Picks by @afiskness.  The Bulldogs need to find more scoring which needs to come from the sophomores who are off to a slow start.  The defense has been solid all season and I don't know why that would change unless some injuries pop up.  I think this currently last place in the NCHC Bulldog team has the makings to contender in the NCHC.

The picks for this week are:

Wisconsin @ Miami   This should be a good series of Bi6 Ten versus NCHC teams.  The Redhawks are the better team in my opinion but they have been inconsistent this season.  The Badgers are looking to keep the games low scoring.  I think this will be a split. 

St. Cloud State @ Alabama Huntsville  The Huskies will go into the Chargers home rink and skate out with two wins. 

Michigan @ Nebraska Omaha   This is another good series Bi6 Ten versus NCHC teams.  The Wolverines have looked like a much improved team this year compared to last year.  The Mavericks have been very inconsistent so far and now face a tough challenge.  This looks like a split, but I think I will go with a win and tie by the Wolverines. 

Minnesota Duluth @ North Dakota  North Dakota has had some struggles this year and the Bulldogs should be rested after a bye week.  This looks like a split. 

Western Michigan @ Denver  The Pioneers have had trouble scoring this year, but their goal tending has been pretty solid.  The Broncos have been very inconsistent this year making this a guess as to what team is going to show up.  I will go with the Broncos getting a win and a tie. 

Air Force @ Colorado College  This single game on Tuesday puts a good Air Force team against #53 in the RPI, CC Tigers.  Are the Tigers really that bad?  This game will give us more insight.  I say no with a Tigers win.