gophers/ncaa

Comment: Would need a lot of help to get a piece of the title, but the Mavericks can move up in the standings and clinch home ice with a strong weekend. MSU would lose a tiebreaker to Denver (0-2 head-to-head).

Wisconsin

Position: Tied for fourth, 31 points

This weekend: vs. St. Cloud State

Comment: Would gain a share of the title with a sweep of St. Cloud State and a split or worse for the Gophers and UND. The Badgers hold the tiebreaker edge for home ice over Denver and Nebraska-Omaha.

Nebraska-Omaha

Position: Sixth place, 30 points

This weekend: at Minnesota Duluth

Comment: UNO clinches home ice with a sweep of UMD, which it already did once this season. The Mavericks are vulnerable, though, as Denver and Wisconsin have tiebreaker edges.

Denver

Position: Seventh place, 29 points

This weekend: vs. Alaska-Anchorage

Comment: The Pioneers are on the outside looking in currently in the race for a top-six finish and home ice. But they have the easiest final series at home against the last-place Seawolves and could very well move up.