NCHC Playoffs

The season has ended and the Bulldogs ended up in fourth place securing home ice and as I predicted the Huskies of St. Cloud State took home the Julie and Spencer Penrose Memorial Cup in the inaugural NCHC season.  As a Bulldog I wanted home ice even though the team has played better on the road.  I am hoping the team and the fans will both show up.

Discipline will be the key winning this weekend.  I my opinion the team has taken too many penalties this season and recently the penalty kill has not been as good.  This weekend with the Bulldogs hosting the Broncos the games will probably be more like roller hockey than ice dancing, so hopefully the PK holds it's own.

My picks

Western Michigan @ Minnesota Duluth:  this is probably the two closest matched teams of the weekend.  Because both teams play similar styles i do like the Bulldogs even though their home record has not been great this year.  I am going with UMD in three games.

Denver @ Nebraska Omaha:  The defensive play of the Pioneers will stop the scoring prowess of the Mavericks.  The Pioneers win in three games.

Miami @ St Cloud State:  Even if the Redhawks haven't checked out on this season they don't have enough to take down the Huskies twice this weekend.  In fact I will go with a Huskies sweep.

Colorado College @ North Dakota:  the Tigers have actually played some good hockey in recent weeks.  However their lack of scoring will be their down fall again this weekend.  The North Dakota men's hockey team will win the series but the Tigers will get one win before the weekend is over.