How WCHA standings will look a week from now

Mick Hatten of the St. Cloud Daily Times recently tweeted that Huskies fans will have to wait a week to find out where there team will play in the WCHA playoffs.

No they don't. Nor do Gophers fans. I have my crystal ball out and recently shined it. Here is what will happen next week, followed by the first round WCHA pairings:

1. North Dakota 19-6-1, 39 points: The Sioux beat Bemidji St. 5-1 Sat. afternoon to clinch the top seed and at least a share of the WCHA regular-season title. Next they will sweep Michigan Tech in Hougton next weekend unless coach Dave Hakstol decides to rest his starters. Nah, this isn't the NFL or major league baseball. NoDak is 6-0-1 in its last seven games.

So Sioux will finish 21-6-1, 43 pts.

First round: Michigan Tech at North Dakota

2. Denver 16-7-3, 35 pts.: The Pios have split with Michigan Tech and UNO the past two weekends after the Gophers beat themj 7-3 at Mariucci. St. Cloud State visits next weekend. The Huskies are playing well and should get a split even in the Mile High City.

So DU will finish 17-8-3, 37 pts.

3. Nebraska Omaha 16-8-2, 34 pts.: The purple Mavs, one of the hottest WCHA teams, are at UMD next weekend. UNO is 6-2 in its last eight games, but has split at Alaska Anchorage and against Denver past two weekends. See another split in UNO's future.

So UNO will finish 18-9-3, 36 pts.

First round: Alaska Anchorage at UNO

4. Minnesota Duluth 14-7-5, 33 pts.: 'Dogs have not played that well (2-3-2) in their new doghouse, the Amsoil Arena. So they will split with UNO.

So UMD will finish 15-8-5, 35 pts.

5. Gophers 12-10-4, 28 pts.: Gophers are 4-0-1 in last five games and averaging five goals per game. Only hotter WCHA team is NoDak. U will get a win and a tie at Bemidji State.

So Gophers will finish 13-10-5, 31 pts.

First round: St. Cloud State at Minnesota, a nice neighborly rivalry

6. Colorado College 12-12-2, 26 pts.: CC is at Wisconsin, where they will battle for sixth place. The Tigers have gotten at least one point in every WCHA series since being swept in mid-Jan. at Alaska Anchorage. On Saturday, they tied UMD 3-3 but probably deserved a win. CC outshot the Bulldogs 42-23. Should get split in Kohl Center.

So CC will finish 13-13-2, 28 pts.

7. Wisconsin 11-12-3, 25 pts.: Split with CC. Badgers are winless in last six games.

So Badgers will finish 12-14-3, 27 pts.

First round: Wisconsin at Colorado College

8. St. Cloud State 10-12-4, 24 pts.: Huskies are at Denver; should get a split there, not enough to move up.

So Huskies will finish 11-12-4, 26 pts.

9. Alaska Anchorage 10-14-2, 22 pts.: Alaska Anchorage plays at Minnesota State in battle for ninth place. Seawolves coming off a split with Alaska-Fairbanks. Should get no more than a tie in Mankato.

So UAA will finish 10-15-3, 23 pts., and tie for ninth place with MSU Mankato and lose tie-breaker, head-to-head competition, for ninth seed.

First round: Alaska Anchorage at UNO

10. (tie) Minnesota State 8-14-4, 20 pts.: Alaska Anchorage at MSU Mankato. Purple Mavs get a win and a tie.

So Minnesota State will finish 9-14-5, 23 pts., and win tie-breaker for ninth seed.

10. (tie) Bemidji State 8-13-4, 20 pts.: Should lose to NoDak on Sun. afternoon, get one point from Gophers series.

So Beavers will finish 8-15-5, 21 pts.

First round: BSU at Denver

12. Michigan Tech 2-22-2, 6 pts.: Lost season for Tech. Will lose two more on last weekend of regular season to visiting NoDak.

So Tech will finish 2-24-2, 6 pts.