> Published Thursday, December 11, 1997
>
> WCHA showdown taking shape in Grand Forks
>
> The biggest series of the WCHA season up to now will take place this weekend in Grand
> Forks. St. Cloud State, which is unbeaten on the road and the surprise league leader, will
> face defending national champion North Dakota.
>
> "What scares me is their 6-0 road record," said Dean Blais, coach of the second-place
> Sioux. "Obviously they've done real well on the road, and that shows a lot of character."
>
> The Huskies (9-3-2, 8-1-1 WCHA), who were picked by conference coaches to finish
> seventh in the league, have tied a school record by winning their past eight games. They
> lead the league with 17 points; North Dakota and Colorado College have 15 and
> Wisconsin has 14.
>
> A sweep by either team in Grand Forks would mean a tremendous boost in the WCHA
> race.
>
> "I think it's important that we not allow St. Cloud to come in here and win two games and
> have that big of an advantage," Blais said.
>
> Huskies coach Craig Dahl said he is trying to maintain a level head and not put too much
> pressure on his players.
>
> "It won't make us, it won't break us," he said. "We're just trying to approach it like we've
> approached all the others."
>
> The Sioux (7-2-1, 7-2-1) are ranked No. 1 in the poll conducted by WMEB radio in
> Orone, Maine, and third behind Boston College and Michigan State in the U.S. College
> Hockey Online poll. St. Cloud is eighth in both.
>
> The series could come down to a battle of goaltenders. St. Cloud senior Brian Leitza has
> been solid all season, and the Sioux tandem of Aaron Schweitzer and Karl Goehring is
> among the best combinations in the nation.
>
> Both teams have been dealing with injuries. Wing Jay Panzer, North Dakota's No. 3
> scorer through eight games, is out until January because of a knee injury, and wing Jeff
> Ulmer is questionable this weekend because of a sprained ankle.
>
> St. Cloud State is hoping for the return of three players: defensemen Andy Vicari
> (shoulder) and Chris Zaleski (concussion) and forward Matt Bailey (concussion).
>
> Saturday's 7:05 p.m. game will be telecast by KMSP-TV (Ch. 9).
>
>
>
> Turnaround
>
> Colorado College rolled past Denver 9-1 Sunday and looked like a solid bet to complete
> an easy sweep Monday. But the Pioneers came back to claim a shocking 6-0 victory to
> end a seven-game losing streak and prevent the Tigers from tying St. Cloud State for the
> WCHA lead.
>
> Colorado College outshot the Pioneers 42-19 Sunday and scored on four of 10 power
> plays. Denver goaltender Ben Henrich, filling in for the injured Stephen Wagner, was
> pulled from Sunday's game but made 34 saves Monday.
>
> "We got what we deserved," Colorado College coach Don Lucia said. "Denver was a
> desperate team. They were embarrassed and they came back and responded. You have
> to respect everybody you play."
>
> Footnote: Thanks to Denver's victory, the Pioneers are tied with Minnesota for last place
> in the WCHA with six points.
>
> Etc.
>
> Dahl has won 177 games in 11 years at St. Cloud State. He needs four more to tie
> Charlie Basch (1968-84) for the most victories in school history.
>
> Alaska-Anchorage freshman Chris Sikich, from Apple Valley, has three goals in his
> past three games.
>
> Colorado College's Brian Swanson has had a hand in five game-winning goals this
> season, scoring two and assisting on three.
>
> Colorado College's victory Sunday came in its final home game at the Air Force
> Academy's Cadet Ice Arena. The Tigers will christen the 7,700-seat Colorado Springs
> World Arena when they play host to Wisconsin on Jan. 23-24.
--
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| Kevin L. Ames |
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