Come back each week for a preview of interesting NCAA games coming up and some thoughts on what happened in the previous week's action. Check out Thursday's How to Watch for links to all the weekend's games.
(4) Minnesota Duluth at (9) St. Cloud State
Friday at 3:00 PM and Saturday at 1:00 PM Central
This series is all about implications in WCHA standings. Currently UMD is three points behind Ohio State for second place in the conference, but has two games in hand. Minnesota is two points behind the Bulldogs and the Huskies are four points behind them.
St. Cloud State took a win and a tie with shootout loss to Union last weekend while Minnesota Duluth absolutely clobbered Vermont, winning 4-0 and 9-1. The Huskies have proven themselves against the opponents ranked above them in the WCHA so far this season, taking a tie and shootout win from OSU and a victory over Minnesota two weeks ago. SCSU will be looking to use their home ice advantage here against UMD, who have won the past four in a row over the St. Cloud.
The Bulldogs seem to have really settled into themselves and are playing their game instead of being pushed into their opponents game. Caitlin Kraemer continues to shine as one of the standout rookies of the season. Minnesota Duluth has confidence and momentum and they are in very good position in the conference standings. They're looking to maintain their position and ride a high into the winter break.
Both teams feature top-tier goaltending in Ève Gascon for UMD and the Finnish pair of Sanni Ahola and Emilia Kyrkkö in net for SCSU. All three netminders are capable of stealing a game. Details are going to matter in this series - the Bulldogs have to be careful on the bigger ice and not get caught out while the Huskies can't focus only on offense. What makes UMD dangerous on offense is that the team is used to spreading out the scoring. There isn't just one matchup to tend to. St. Cloud has to stretch the game, keep Minnesota Duluth from beating them in transition and allow them to tire themselves out along the perimeter.
(9) Quinnipiac at Princeton
Saturday at 3:00 PM Eastern
The Tigers are the hottest team in the country right now, coming off a spate of three massive wins where they outscored their opponents 25-2. They had a little bit of a slow start and have not gotten results against the top teams in the ECAC, but are clearly just on the cusp, losing a number one-goal games.
Hilariously, it seemed like offensive output could be an issue for Princeton this year after the class they graduated, but Issy Wunder has already nearly doubled her career high in goals and rookie Mackenzie Alexander has been had no difficulties transitioning to the college game.
After beating Sacred Heart 8-1 over the weekend, Quinnipiac eked out a 2-1 victory over their fellow Connecticut team on Tuesday. In between, they lost to Yale in a shootout despite an absolutely outstanding performance from goalie Kaley Doyle.
The Bobcats have the second-best team defense in the country and are allowing just 1.15 goals per game. They're about to match up against the second-best team offense in the nation as Princeton are averaging 5.23 goals scored a game. One of those two things will have to give on Saturday afternoon.
Princeton has been absolutely ridiculous on the power play, scoring at a 40% clip. But Quinnipiac is the second-least penalized team in the country. The Bobcats have to continue to play smart, clean hockey and not get baited into anything. You can bet the Tigers will be looking to take advantage of their power play prowess.
I think this game hinges on how adaptable the Tigers can be. I expect Quinnipiac to be very prepared for the fast, high-scoring game they've been playing. Can Princeton still be successful when what has been coming so easy suddenly isn't? They have to not get frustrated when Doyle stops them cold and they can't get flustered when the Bobcats forecheck and keep them from an easy transition, get in passing lanes and generally make their lives difficult.
The key for Quinnipiac is to not get too bogged down on the offensive end. Though it's their bread and butter, they have talented offensive players and they shouldn't sacrifice what they're capable of in the name of trying to keep Princeton in check.
(12) Penn State at Mercyhurst
Friday at 2:00 PM and Saturday at 1:00 PM Eastern
The Nittany Lions have a four point lead over the Lakers for the top spot in the AHA, so these are crucial games for Mercyhurst if they are going to stay in the hunt. A Penn State sweep would create a gap that would likely be too big to overcome.
Mercyhurst was scheduled to play Ohio State on Tuesday, but that game was cancelled due to weather. As of late Thursday night, this series was still set to be played, so I think that means Penn State made it safely to town. The Lakers have an advantage of being very well-rested and playing at home while the Nittany Lions spent Thanksgiving in Nashville where they lost to Merrimack and tied St. Thomas.
PSU has won the last four meetings between these two, including a 1-0 win in last season's conference tournament championship game. However, Mercyhurst owns the all-time series between the two. Penn State has had the more potent offense and has been extra successful on the power play of late, but the Lakers are stingy on defense. This game could come down to puck possession, which should be fascinating as the Nittany Lions' Tessa Janecke and Mercyhurst's Vanessa Upson are each among the top ten in the country for faceoff wins.
(Photo: Quinnipiac Women's Hockey/Twitter)
