WCHA Standings Update

[mbenecke]

With one week to play in the regular season for us (and with other teams set to still play something like 5 or 6 more games), the current WCHA standings are, with how many games still to play:

1. Minnesota State - 30 (4)
2. Bowling Green - 21 (2)
3. Northern Michigan - 19 (2)
4. Lake Superior - 17 (5)
5. Bemidji State - 13 (6)
6. Michigan Tech - 12 (5)
7. Alabama Huntsville - 8 (4)
8. Ferris State - 3 (2)

If every team maximized their points by winning out (which is impossible, since we’re playing each other and not everyone can win out), the final standings would look like:

1. Minnesota State - 42
2. Lake Superior - 32
3. Bemidji State - 31
4. Bowling Green - 27
5. Michigan Tech - 27
6. Northern Michigan - 25
7. Alabama Huntsville - 16
8. Ferris State - 9

So, it's pretty clear that we should be rooting against Bemidji and LSSU the rest of the way (they do have to play each other), in order to maximize our seeding and shoot for a 2nd place finish. Why does the 2 matter, compared to the 3? Well, the 2 matches us up with Huntsville in the first round, while the 3 would force us to host someone like Tech or NMU. Obviously a significant advantage to finish in the top 2 of this league.

We badly need a sweep this weekend... and I'm cautiously optimistic we'll get one, if yesterday's offense is who we're going to be again moving forward.

[Hockey John]

With one week to play in the regular season for us (and with other teams set to still play something like 5 or 6 more games), the current WCHA standings are, with how many games still to play:

1. Minnesota State - 30 (4)
2. Bowling Green - 21 (2)
3. Northern Michigan - 19 (2)
4. Lake Superior - 17 (5)
5. Bemidji State - 13 (6)
6. Michigan Tech - 12 (5)
7. Alabama Huntsville - 8 (4)
8. Ferris State - 3 (2)

If every team maximized their points by winning out (which is impossible, since we’re playing each other and not everyone can win out), the final standings would look like:

1. Minnesota State - 42
2. Lake Superior - 32
3. Bemidji State - 31
4. Bowling Green - 27
5. Michigan Tech - 27
6. Northern Michigan - 25
7. Alabama Huntsville - 16
8. Ferris State - 9

So, it's pretty clear that we should be rooting against Bemidji and LSSU the rest of the way (they do have to play each other), in order to maximize our seeding and shoot for a 2nd place finish. Why does the 2 matter, compared to the 3? Well, the 2 matches us up with Huntsville in the first round, while the 3 would force us to host someone like Tech or NMU. Obviously a significant advantage to finish in the top 2 of this league.

We badly need a sweep this weekend... and I'm cautiously optimistic we'll get one, if yesterday's offense is who we're going to be again moving forward.

We hold the tie breaker with Bemidji, Northern, and Tech. Lake Superior holds the tie breaker over BG. Lake Superior has 4 road games, one at Tech, 2 at Bemidji, and one at Ferris. They also have a home game with Ferris. Bemidji has one road game at Minnesota State, and 5 home games, one with Minnesota State, 2 with Lake Superior and two with Alabama Huntsville. They have to play Thursday, Saturday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday to end their season.

Regardless of what the others do, BG needs to win their remaining two games. Tuesday night Lake Superior plays at Tech. I hate to say it, but go Tech.

[mbenecke]

Tech beat LSSU this afternoon, 4-1. That was huge for our shot at 2nd place - LSSU now maxes out at 29 points. if they lose another game outright, they stay behind us if we sweep. Massive positive result for us - now we have to do our part and beat UAH tomorrow night.

[jpfalcon09]

Bemidji could be out of the running for the #2 hole (assuming BG wins Sunday) by Saturday if they're swept by Minnesota State. Might as well root for the Mavs the rest of the way out as they obviously only plays teams who can catch BG. It'll be a fun week and a half to track.

[jpfalcon09]

Mavs beat the Beavs in OT last night, Bemidji got a point so their max out is now 29. Mavs also clinched the top spot in the WCHA so I'll be curious if they start playing some younger guys the rest of the way out.

[jpfalcon09]

Updated maximized standings:

Minnesota State - 41 (3)
Lake Superior - 29 (4)
Bemidji - 29 (5)
Bowling Green - 27 (1)
Michigan Tech - 27 (4)
Northern Michigan - 25 (2)
Huntsville - 17 (3)
Ferris - 9 (2)

A BG regulation win Saturday coupled with one regulation loss by LSSU and Bemidji will get the Falcons to clinch the #2 hole. LSSU and Bemidji play each other two more times, so a split there would be ideal. Lakers IMO pose the biggest threat as they have Ferris State tonight and again next Saturday.

[jpfalcon09]

After tonight:

Minnesota State - 41 (3)
Lake Superior - 29 (3)
Bemidji - 29 (5)
Bowling Green - 27 (1)
Michigan Tech - 27 (3)
Northern Michigan - 22(1)
Huntsville - 17 (3)
Ferris - 6 (1)

UAH and Ferris are locked into 7th and 8th respectively.

[jpfalcon09]

After 2/27 - maximized standings:

Minnesota State - 39 (2)
Lake Superior - 29 (3)
Bemidji State - 28 (4)
Bowling Green - 27 (1)
Michigan Tech - 26 (2)
Northern Michigan - 20 (0)
Huntsville - 17 (3)
Ferris State - 6 (1)

BG wins in regulation tomorrow and they clinch a first round home playoff series. Bemidji and Lake on Tuesday/Wednesday will be a massive series.

[jpfalcon09]

2/28:

Minnesota State - 39 (2)
Lake Superior - 29 (3)
Bemidji State - 28 (4)
Bowling Green - 27 (0)
Michigan Tech - 26 (2)
Northern Michigan - 20 (0)
Huntsville - 14 (2)
Ferris State - 6 (1)

[mbenecke]

Huge games in Bemidji, MN this week, when LSSU comes to town.

Would love a split - that’d clinch us the 2.

[jpfalcon09]

Huge games in Bemidji, MN this week, when LSSU comes to town.

Would love a split - that’d clinch us the 2.

Split is ideal. Lake has Ferris for their final game and Bemidji gets UAH for their last two. I can't imagine any slip ups there.

[TommyG]

Normally I’d say who cares finishing 2nd or 3rd but obviously UAH is a much easier matchup than Bemidji or NMU....other underrated thing will be having the last change in semifinals. Not sure how much Eigner matches lines, but it can be a huge advantage if you can get your top lines away from the opposition’s better defenders.

[jpfalcon09]

Normally I’d say who cares finishing 2nd or 3rd but obviously UAH is a much easier matchup than Bemidji or NMU....other underrated thing will be having the last change in semifinals. Not sure how much Eigner matches lines, but it can be a huge advantage if you can get your top lines away from the opposition’s better defenders.

NMU at home wouldn't be terrible. If they had to play in their barn I'd be worried. BG always struggles on the international size ice sheet. UAH is ideal though and fingers crossed things break BG's way.

[pdt1081]

Normally I’d say who cares finishing 2nd or 3rd but obviously UAH is a much easier matchup than Bemidji or NMU....other underrated thing will be having the last change in semifinals. Not sure how much Eigner matches lines, but it can be a huge advantage if you can get your top lines away from the opposition’s better defenders.

NMU at home wouldn't be terrible. If they had to play in their barn I'd be worried. BG always struggles on the international size ice sheet. UAH is ideal though and fingers crossed things break BG's way.

It wouldn't surprise me at all to see UAH's first round games moved up a day. They'll be playing at Bemidji, LSSU, or BG. Their upcoming series in Bemidji is Saturday-Sunday. They'd get home Monday afternoon, then leave again Wednesday. Almost better to put them in a hotel in Michigan somewhere for a couple nights.

[jpfalcon09]

Normally I’d say who cares finishing 2nd or 3rd but obviously UAH is a much easier matchup than Bemidji or NMU....other underrated thing will be having the last change in semifinals. Not sure how much Eigner matches lines, but it can be a huge advantage if you can get your top lines away from the opposition’s better defenders.

NMU at home wouldn't be terrible. If they had to play in their barn I'd be worried. BG always struggles on the international size ice sheet. UAH is ideal though and fingers crossed things break BG's way.

It wouldn't surprise me at all to see UAH's first round games moved up a day. They'll be playing at Bemidji, LSSU, or BG. Their upcoming series in Bemidji is Saturday-Sunday. They'd get home Monday afternoon, then leave again Wednesday. Almost better to put them in a hotel in Michigan somewhere for a couple nights.

It'll likely be Friday-Sunday across the board to not give anyone an advantage heading into the semis and finals.