Following a much-needed weekend off, the Tigers prepare to face one of the worst teams in college hockey – The Alaska-Anchorage Seawolves. A weekend sweep is not only expected, it’s imperative. Alaska has an embarrassing 1-15-4 record in WCHA play, and are 3-16-5 overall…not very impressive.
The last time the Seawolves skated off the ice victorious, many of us were just beginning Block IV. Alaska-Anchorage ranks last in the WCHA in team offense scoring with an abysmal 1.7 goals per game, and second-to-last in team defense allowing 3.45 goals per game. The Tigers, however, rank last in the WCHA in team defense, allowing a copious 3.67 goals per game. Who wins when an inept offense plays a careless defense? Luckily, it shouldn’t matter because our Tigers, led by our first line, and, of course, the Erik Karlsson of college hockey (Mike Boivin), boast one of the best offenses in college hockey.
It is essential for the Tigers to take two this weekend and gain some momentum before next weekend’s revenge series against the anti-Christ: the Denver Pioneers.
With 10 games remaining, our Tigers sit relatively safe in ninth place in the WCHA, which means if the Conference playoffs started today, the Tigers would face off against the University of North Dakota. Head to head, the Tigers are 2-2 against UND this season.
Four of the remaining ten games are against basement teams: Alaska-Anchorage and Michigan Tech. The other six, however, are against formidable opponents: Denver, St. Cloud State, and Minnesota State. If we go .500 in the challenging games and sweep the rest, Colorado College could potentially see a weaker Wisconsin team in the first round of the WCHA playoffs. An easier road for the Tigers will give them a better chance of completing the ultimate goal – a trip to the NCAA tournament.
Alex Woolford
Staff Writer