UMD, with easiest sked left, could pull away in WCHA race

Minnesota Duluth, tied for first place with the Gophers, appears to be in th best position to win the MacNaughton Cup when the second half of the WCHA schedule begins this weekend.

In the Bulldogs' final 14 games, they play only two conference opponents with winning records and also play the bottom two teams in the league. The winning percentage of the seven teams they play in conference games is only .444, the lowest of any WCHA team.

The Gophers' opponents have a .505 winning percentage in conference games. So the maroon and gold might have trouble keeping up with the 'Dogs. Same is true for Colorado College, in third place, but with the hardest remaining schedule.

Opponents: Record Win pct.

1. Colorado College 50-34-14 .582

2. St. Cloud State 50-42-6 .546

(tie) Neb Omaha 49-40-9 .546

(tie) North Dakota 44-42-12 .510

6. Gophers 43-42-13 .505

7. Michigan Tech 43-45-10 .490 .

8. Minnesota State 42-45-11 .485

9. Bemidji State 42-46-10 .480

11. Wisconsin 39-49-10 .448

12. Minnesota Duluth 39-50-9 .444

Here is a look at every WCHA team. All have 14 conference games left:

Alaska Anchorage (3-10-1, 11th place): Six road games left; hardest trip either Michigan Tech or St. Cloud State. Only two opponents above .500 in WCHA. Four of last five series at home. ... Only two conference wins on road.

Bemidji State (5-7-2, ninth place): Beavers play all three teams at bottom of standings. Schedule has them playing away, home, away, home, etc. to end. Only one road win. ... Eight road games left; at Minnesota toughest road trip.

Denver (6-5-3, fifth place): Pioneers have seven road games left; have two road wins. ... Toughest road trip, one game at CC and visit to Nebraska Omaha on last weekend.

Michigan Tech (6-7-1, tie for seventh place): Eight away games left, have won only two on road. ... Toughest trips left are to Minnesota Duluth and, on last weekend, to Colorado College.

Gophers (11-3-0, tie for first place): Seven games away left; Gophers have won five road games, more than any other conference team. ... Toughest road trip to Nebraska Omaha.

Minnesota Duluth (10-2-2, tie for first): Eight road games, have four away wins -- only Gophers have more. Toughest trip to Nebraska Omaha this weekend. ... Play bottom two teams.

Minnesota State (2-11-1, 12th place): Six away games left; only one road win so far. ... Mavericks play only two teams with winning records. .. Toughest road trip to North Dakota.

North Dakota (7-7-0, sixth place): Five of last seven opponents under .500; six away games left, UND has won three games on road.

St. Cloud State (5-6-3, tie for seventh place): Toughest road series at CC, also have one road game with Gophers. Huskies have won only two road games and have seven left. ....Finish with UMD at home.

Wisconsin (4-8-2, for 10th place): Eight away games left and have zero conference road wins. ... Finish at Gophers, which is toughest road trip left. ... Play only two teams with winning records.

WHAT IF