Hoof Beats: Response will determine fate

The only thing I want to bring up about last weekend’s series is coach Mike Corbett’s post-game comments.

Video by David Karnosky for USCHO.com.

He’s absolutely right. How the boys respond will determine whether we’ll be in the WCHA playoffs.

He’s also right in that the Chargers are much better than what they showed against Michigan Tech. Everyone knows this — everyone has seen this, from hanging with the class of the league in Minnesota State in Mankato, tying a ranked Omaha team on the road, and building a four-game winning streak at home.

The 11-1 loss on Saturday was the first time all season the Chargers allowed six or more goals. Last season, that happened nine times. This type of crazy result is now … crazy.

The important thing to remember is that the Chargers are by no means done, and still control their fate. UAH’s next opponent is Lake Superior State in a crucial series in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. UAH and LSSU are dead level, tied for eighth place (the seventh seed with Alaska ineligible) with 12 points and 6-14 conference records.

The hardest part might be the wait, as the Chargers are off this week before then. Meanwhile, the Lakers, who have had their own troubles but are 4-3-1 in their last eight, visit Alaska. The Chargers and Lakers split their series in Huntsville back in November.

The Bitter Southerner has an article this week featuring hockey in Huntsville and the history of the UAH Chargers. Read “It’s Always Cold in Huntsville.” UAHHockey.com’s Geof Morris is quoted several times in the piece.

WCHA Standings	Record	Pts.
Minnesota State	17-2-1	35
Michigan Tech	15-4-1	31
Bowling Green	11-4-3	25
Northern Michigan	8-8-4	20
Ferris State	8-10-0	16
Bemidji State	6-8-4	16
Alaska*	7-12-1	15
Alabama-Huntsville	6-14-0	12
Lake Superior State	6-14-0	12
Alaska-Anchorage	4-12-2	10
* Ineligible for postseason play

Around the WCHA: While we’re off, we’ll be keeping an eye on some intriguing league series.

As previously mentioned, Lake Superior State will be in Fairbanks to take on Alaska. The Lakers were off last weekend, and two weeks ago they split a series at a hot Bowling Green squad, if there was indication that they are playing better than earlier in the season.

Michigan Tech hosts Bemidji State, which is also hot of late, for Winter Carnival. The now fifth-ranked Huskies will be finishing off a nine-game homestand. The Beavers are 7-2-4 in their last 13 after taking three points from Bowling Green at home last week.

Bowling Green dropped two spots in the USCHO.com poll to No. 8 as the Falcons host Ferris State. Minnesota State, back at No. 1, hosts Alaska-Anchorage. Northern Michigan heads to No. 7 Minnesota-Duluth for two in a non-conference series.

Here is this week’s WCHA schedule. All times are Central. All league games (*) can be seen online on WCHA.tv.

Friday, February 6

* Ferris State at #8 Bowling Green, 6:07 p.m.
* Bemidji State at #5 Michigan Tech, 6:07 p.m.
* Alaska-Anchorage at #1 Minnesota State, 7:07 p.m.
* Lake Superior State at Alaska, 10:07 p.m.
Northern Michigan at #7 Minnesota-Duluth, 7:07 p.m.

Saturday, February 7

* Bemidji State at #5 Michigan Tech, 4:07 p.m.
* Ferris State at #8 Bowling Green, 6:07 p.m.
* Alaska-Anchorage at #1 Minnesota State, 7:07 p.m.
* Lake Superior State at Alaska, 10:07 p.m.
Northern Michigan at #7 Minnesota-Duluth, 7:07 p.m.