I went through all the scenarios on Feb. 14 and same up with pretty much the same projected first-round pairings. Although there is one big change: CC and NoDak flip places between fifth and sixth. Now CC plays at North Dakota. The Gophers finish strong but can't move up higher than seventh.
Looking at the latest WCHA standings, here are my predictions on how the WCHA race, which is not as tight as it used to be, will finish.
1. Denver, 36 ... The Pioneers will win the McNaughton Cup. They finish with ninth-place but pesky Minnesota State (away) and CC (home and home). Should go 3-1, which would give DU 42 pts. ... So for first round of playoffs: Michigan Tech at DU.
2. Wisconsin, 31 ... Badgers play on the road at Michigan Tech and the Gophers. Last game is on a Sunday at Mariucci, so whole league will be watching to see what Wisconsin does. Should go 3-1, which would give UW 37 points. ... Playoffs: MSU Mankato at Wisconsin.
3. St. Cloud State, 33 ... Huskies are off this coming weekend, then play at Minnesota State Mankato. Should go 1-1-0 for two points, which would give them 35. ... Playoffs: Alaska Anchorage at St. Cloud State.
4. UMD, 29 ... Bulldogs face the Gophers at DECC, and then finish at Alaska Anchorage. Dogs had to rally to win two one-goal games vs. U at Mariucci, so that should be competitive series and only one WCHA team has swept Seawolves at home. Should finish 2-2 for 33 points. So UMD ties St. Cloud State but loses first tiebreaker, head to head results. Dogs 0-1-1 vs. Huskies. ... Playoffs: Gophers at UMD.
5. North Dakota, 25 ... Sioux, coming off sweep of UMD, play, Colorado College (away) and Michigan Tech (home). Should go 3-1-0 for 31 points. ... Playoffs: CC at North Dakota..
6. Colorado College, 25 ... CC hosts North Dakota, then has home and home with DU. Should go 2-2 for 29 points to edge North Dakota for fifth. ... Playoffs: North Dakota at CC
