Hello everyone!  Well, it's do or die time for the 10 teams in the WCHA.
It's the first round of the WCHA Playoffs.  The winners of the best 2 of
3 game playoff series will advance to the Final Five in St. Paul.  Let's
get to my predictions of what will happen.
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MICHIGAN TECH (#10) AT NORTH DAKOTA (#1).
 
On the surface, this looks like a total mismatch.  The Fighting Sioux are
ranked #4 in the nation (USCHO Poll, 3/3/97), and are looking to get to
the Final Five after missing it last year.  The Huskies have had a
terrible season, and have not beaten the Sioux this year (0-4).  But the
Sioux arre coming off a bad weekend at Denver wherre they lost both games
(6-3, 5-0) and had 4 players go down to injury.  Also, MTU has made it a
habit of pulling off upsets in the first round the last couple of
seasons.  In the end, however, UND's superior talent and home ice
advantage will carry the day.  Prediction: SIOUX SWEEP 2-0.
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ALASKA-ANCHORAGE (#9) AT MINNESOTA (#2).
 
The Gophers are coming off a home sweep of the Badgers and are playing
their best hockey of the year.  The Seawolves played CC tough up in
Anchorage, getting 1 point out of 4.  The Seawolves will keep themselves
in it with a frustrating, neutral-zone trap style of defense.  The
Gophers will have to be patient to get goals.  But the Gophers are at
home, and the Seawolves just don't have enough offense.  Prediction:
GOPHERS SWEEP 2-0.
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NORTHERN MICHIGAN (#8) AT ST. CLOUD (#3).
 
The SCSU Huskies are coming off a home sweep of MTU, and are looking good
going into the postseason.  The Wildcats are in a rebuilding phase, and
have pulled off some upsets this year.  But, almost all of them have
taken place at Lakeview Arena, not on the road.  The Huskies are at home,
and with Matt Cullen expected to leave following this year, they know
that it is now or never to make a playoff run.  Prediction: SCSU SWEEPS 2-0.
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WISCONSIN (#7) AT COLORADO COLLEGE (#4).
 
The Badgers are again the underdogs this year as they travel to Cadet Ice
Arena to battle the Tigers.  CC had it's 3 year rein as WCHA Champions
snapped this season, and have looked shaky at times, but remain one of
the most solid teams in the league.  The Badgers have struggled the last
few weeks, but still have a shot at the upset with Kirk Daubensbeck
between the pipes.  But the Badgers have less talent than in years past,
so don't expect them to pull off the upset.  Prediction: CC WINS SERIES 2-1.
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MINN-DULUTH (#6) AT DENVER (#5).
 
This one will be determined by which Denver team show up; the one that
creamed UND last week or the one that has struggled against weaker
opponents this season.  If the good Denver team shows up, then pity poor
Duluth.  The Bulldogs have not shown the consistency or toughness that it
takes to succeed in the WCHA, and likely won't do it this weekend.
Prediction: DENVER SWEEPS 2-0.
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I am predicting all five home teams to advance.  Unlike last year, it
doesn't look like any of the visiting teams will pull off the upsets.  CC
and Wisconsin may be different, however.  Don't be surprised if I'm wrong
on that one.  Well, that's all for today.  I'll be back on Monday with a
look at how the playoffs turned out.  Until then, later.
 
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