Fearless forecast: Gophers heading back to UMD for playoffs

This is the final weekend of the regular season for WCHA teams and this is what we know for sure about the first round of the conference playoffs:

Michigan Tech, mired in last place, will play at Denver, the MacNaughton Cup champion.

That's it. Nothing else is set.

Wisconsin is in second place, but could drop to third or even a tie for third and the fourth seed.

St. Cloud State could move up to second, stay third or even a tie for third and the fourth seed.

UMD can tie for second or finish fifth. Dogs are fourth now.

North Dakota, in fifth, can tie for third, or move up to fourth or stay fifth.

Alaska Anchorage and Minnesota State Mankato, separated by one point, are in eighth and ninth, respectively. They will either stay there or flip flop.

So gazing into my crystal ball, here is what will happen this weekend:

Wis @ Minn ... Split. Badgers are rolling and Blake Geoffrion returns to center top line. But Gophers usually play at least one good game in a series. Of late, at least and win one.

SCSU vs. MSU Mankato, home and home ... Mavs played DU tough last weekend, losing 3-1 and 4-3 OT, Huskies were idle and might start series slow. Another split.

MTech @ NoDak ... Sioux sweep. Tech has four WCHA wins this season and won't get another this series.

UMD at Alaska Anchorage ... Split. Only one WCHA team has gone up there and not split and that was St. Cloud State.

If all that happens -- and, of course, it will -- here is how the final standings will look:

1. DU 44

2. Wis 37

3. SCSU 35

UMD 33

6. Minn 26

7. CC 25

8. AA 20

9. MS, M 19

First-round playoff matchup, starting week from today:

Gophers at UMD

CC at NoDak

Ala Anch at SCSU

Minn St Mank at Wis