Hello everyone!  This is the one-day-late Wednesday edition of "The
Unvarnished Truth".  We are heading down the stretch in the WCHA race as
soon it will be time to start talking playoffs and Final Five and
NCAA's.  This weekend could mark the end of the WCHA Title race as North
Dakota can clinch the MacNaughton Cup with a little help from other
teams.  The other 6 top teams are fighting for the remaining 4 home
playoff spots, so there is a lot at stake the last two weekends.  Before
getting into my predicitons this week, let's look at the updated Around
The Rinks/USCHO National Poll.
 
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                  AROUND THE RINKS/USCHO NATIONAL POLL (2/17/97).
 
TEAM (FIRST PLACE VOTES)          RECORD        POINTS       PREVIOUS RANK
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1. Michigan (30)                  28-2-3           300                   1
 
2. NORTH DAKOTA                   22-8-2           251                   2
 
3. New Hampshire                  24-7-0           230                   3
 
4. Boston University              18-6-6           190                   4
 
5. Clarkson                       20-8-0           164                   7
 
6. Miami                          22-9-1           152                   8
 
7. MINNESOTA                      21-11-0          136                   5
 
8. Vermont                        18-7-3            80                   6
 
9. Michigan State                 18-10-3           46                   9
 
10. Cornell                       15-6-4            35                  NR
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Others Recieving Votes: Lake Superior State 21, ST. CLOUD 17, COLORADO
COLLEGE 12, Maine 9, Rensselaer 5, DENVER 2.
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North Dakota and Minnesota are the only WCHA Teams in the Top 10.  Now,
let's move on to my predictions for the upcoming WCHA weekend.
____________________________________________________________________________
 
ALASKA-ANCHORAGE (7-18-3, 9-18-3) AT NORTH DAKOTA (19-8-1, 22-8-2).
 
This one could be interesting.  The Sioux are on the verge of winning the
WCHA title this weekend if they sweep and two other teams (St. Cloud and
Minnesota) split.  The Seawolves are coming off a dissapointing weekend
at Michigan Tech where they were swept.  While the Sioux have struggled
on the road against the Seawolves (1-9 in WCHA games), they have owned
them at Englestad Arena (10-0 lifetime).  Last year, the Seawolves blew
leads of 4-0 and 5-2 in Grand Forks and were swept again.  It is possible
that the Sioux could be upset at home with the distraction of the
MacNaughton Cup, but don't count on it.  Prediction: SIOUX SWEEP (5-2,
6-3).
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MINNESOTA (18-10-0, 21-11-0) AT COLORADO COLLEGE (16-10-2, 18-12-2).
 
An important series for both teams as both want to finish in the Top 5 in
the league.  The Gophers are coming off a home split with Duluth in which
they looked bad on Friday and great on Saturday.  The Tigers split with
Denver in a Home and Away series last weekend, and are still trying to
establish themselves as one of the top teams in the league.  The Tigers
are tough at home, but the Gophers have a lot to play for.  So don't
expect any sweeps here.  Prediction: SPLIT (CC Wins 4-1, Gophers win 5-3).
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DENVER (13-11-4, 17-11-4) AT WISCONSIN (15-11-2, 15-15-2).
 
Two teams fighting for their playoff lives meet in Badgerland.  The
Pioneers split with CC last weekend, and are just 2 points behind the
Badgers for the 5th home playoff spot.  The Badgers got swept at St.
Cloud, and blew a great chance to securing home ice themselves.  It's
always tough in Madison, but expect the Pioneers to come to play.
Prediction: SPLIT (DU wins 5-3, UW wins 4-2).
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NORTHERN MICHIGAN (6-21-1, 10-22-2) AT MICHIGAN TECH (5-19-4, 8-21-4).
 
It's the battle for the basement, or perhaps the battle to avoid the
basement is more appropriate.  Both teams are finishing up bad seasons.
The Wildcats are coming off a good weekend against league-leading North
Dakota where they earned a home split.  The Huskies just finished
sweeping Anchorage at home, and in doing so climed out of the basement.
Look for some very boring hockey as both teams battle for 9th place.
Prediction: SPLIT (MTU wins 2-1, NMU wins 3-2).
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ST. CLOUD (16-9-3, 19-10-3) AT MINN-DULUTH (14-12-2, 17-13-2).
 
Good matchup with playoff implications.  St. Cloud is trying to secure a
Top 3 finish for the playoffs, with an outside shot at the league.  The
Bulldogs are fighting for home ice, and are just 2 points out of 5th.
The Huskies are playing well (swept Badgers last weekend), while the
Bulldogs split at Marriucci with the Gophers.  Another good series that
will probably end in a split.  Prediction: SPLIT (Duluth wins 7-4, St.
Cloud wins 5-2).
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Well, that's all for today.  I'll see you again on Moday. Later.
 
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