2018 WCCHA Tournament Preview: Balanced Field Means Tournament Wide Open
HOW WE GOT HERE...
The 2017-2018 season started back in September with a new league format, including a record 12 members and two geographic divisions. The league welcomed two new members - Bethel University in the Northwest and Wisconsin-Superior in the Southeast - with each entering full competition this year. The season opened with an independent series between Minnesota-Duluth and North Dakota State on September 23/24, and league play closed out just this past weekend with an interdivisional series between Bethel and Wisconsin-La Crosse. Over the course of the year, a total of 104 WCCHA games were contested, with each and every result vital to the end-of-year standings and KRACH Rankings.
Throughout the 2017-2018 season, the league members fought for the 8 available spots in the WCCHA Tournament. More than ever, this season teams needed to earn their way in - and all eight that will battle this weekend for the Carla Berg Cup did so. Three teams from each division guaranteed their spot by finishing in the top half of their respective divisions, while the final two earned their way in based on their overall league performance. With the regular season taking on extra importance, individual and collective performances were markedly improved. From division champions Minnesota and Wisconsin down to wildcard qualifiers North Dakota and St. Thomas, every team in this year's tournament field has the opportunity to lift the championship trophy on Sunday.
WHAT'S ON THE LINE THIS WEEKEND...
Two major achievements await the winner of the 2018 WCCHA Tournament. First and foremost, the team will raise the coveted Carla Berg Cup as WCCHA Champions. In addition, the team will earn the league automatic bid to the Central Regional Tournament in two weeks time. The path to the championship will not be easy, however. Starting with the quarterfinals on Friday, the winning team will need to play three complete games to come out victorious. With the current ACHA Central Region rankings showing WCCHA teams no better than #12, the only way to guarantee an opportunity at Regionals is to win the WCCHA Tournament. These dual goals - the 2017-2018 WCCHA title and the Regionals bid - will drive each team as they compete in Blaine this coming weekend.
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Here is a team-by-team look at the WCCHA Tournament Field, organized by seed:
#1 University of Minnesota Golden Gophers (#1 KRACH, #1 Northwest Division, CURRENT RANK: #12 Central)
The Gophers will enter the 2018 WCCHA Tournament as the on-paper favorites following an impressive regular season campaign that saw the team finish #1 in the WCCHA KRACH Rankings. Minnesota also currently holds the highest position in the Central Region Rankings at #12, a precarious position as should it stick, the team would get bumped if they do not win the WCCHA Tournament. This exact scenario played out last season for Minnesota State, but the Mavericks overcame the Gophers in the final to book their ticket. It is, perhaps, that lingering bitter taste from last season that has driven Minnesota to new heights this season - and a return trip to the final will definitely be on their minds. If they get there, erasing the memories from last season will be crucial to taking the next step and earning a record 5th WCCHA Championship. The Gophers are, up and down the roster, a complete team, with the highest scoring offense in league play and the best goal differential. Competing with the mindset that earned them the #1 overall seed will be crucial to ending the weekend with the hardware.
The road won't be easy, however. Despite taking the top seed, they meet a team they split with during the regular season, #8 St. Thomas, in the first round. Should they survive, they could face a strong NDSU or Minnesota State team. Having said that, Minnesota has beaten every team they played, having either split or swept each of their series this year, which should give them plenty of confidence heading into the tournament.
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Brandon Thompson, F; Nick Anderson, F; Dylan Ross, F; Clay Knutsen, G
#2 University of Wisconsin Badgers (#2 KRACH, #1 Southeast Division, CURRENT RANK: #14 Central)
The Wisconsin Badgers have hit some great heights this season, but have also suffered some heartbreaking setbacks in their quest to qualify for Central Regionals. The Badgers flew out of the gates strong and took control of the Southeast Division early, going undefeated up until the last series against UW-Eau Claire. Wisconsin's offense exploded this season, with 5 players in the top ten in the WCCHA in points and the team 3rd overall in the Central Region in goals scored, behind only the #1 and #2 teams. Those eye-popping numbers overshadow the fact that the team can also play a strong defensive game that includes some staunch goaltending. In short, the Badgers have found different ways to win all season. Unfortunately, they've also suffered some heartbreaking loses. Two home overtime loses to #8 Michigan may still sting, as will a last minute game winner allowed to National #2 Florida Gulf Coast just last weekend.Still, if there are moral victories, the Badgers can take the lessons learned from those games and apply them in this do-or-die tournament atmosphere.
In the first round, they face a tricky opponent in #7 University of North Dakota, a team they haven't seen this year. If the offense shows up, though, UW may find themselves in the championship game on Sunday with the opportunity to win their first ever WCCHA Title on try number 3 and earn a first-ever trip to Regionals.
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Matt Masterman, F; Justin Anderson, F; Brien Martin, D; Trevor Macey, G
#3 Bethel University Royals (#3 KRACH, #3 Northwest Division, CURRENT RANK: #15 Central)
In their debut season, Bethel University adjusted incredibly well as they stepped into the competitive Northwest division. The Royals just missed out on Regionals a year ago, but kept the core of their team intact for their entry into the WCCHA. Over the course the season, the Royals have proven themselves to be difficult opponents, forcing teams to play a full 60 minutes. Wearing down teams is their specialty, as many wins have come with 3rd period charges. What may make BU so dangerous is that they are well balanced - the scoring comes from up and down the roster, and they are incredibly solid in all phases of the game. The Royals played arguably the toughest league schedule of any team this season, ultimately finishing 3rd in KRACH Rankings despite a 3rd place finish in the Northwest Division, and that experience should pay dividends this weekend.
Generally, the #3 spot is still advantageous, but in an ultra-competitive league season, it's fair to say that they face perhaps the strongest test of any higher seed in #6 UW-Eau Claire. However, BU has the unique ability to say that they are playing on "home ice" despite the neutral venue, although the Olympic sized sheets used for the WCCHA Tournament could be an adjustment. With a strong effort, the Royals could make some serious waves in their first shot at the Carla Berg Cup and earn the trip to Regionals they so narrowly missed last season.
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Tyler Larwood, F; Luke Likewski, F; Luke Small, F; Will Griswold, G
#4 North Dakota State University Bison (#4 KRACH, #2 Northwest Division, CURRENT RANK: #16 Central)
The Bison were a curious team this season - incredibly strong at home, but surprisingly beatable on the road. Talent is not an issue for the Bison, who boast both high scoring forwards and defenseman. Injuries have also taken their toll, but NDSU finished #2 in the Northwest Division largely on their ability to dominate league opponents in Fargo. The Bison have also performed well against non-conference opponents, even if the wins column doesn't show it. On an early season trip to Colorado, NDSU led in all three games against teams ranked in the top 10 in the West. For a team that has experienced ups and down this year, these types of games will likely drive them in their quest to take that next step by earning a first round tournament victory and putting themselves in a position on Saturday to move on to the final.
Having just barely missed out on the #3 overall seed, the Bison will face last year's champions Minnesota State on Friday. For the Bison, the match up may play to their strengths, as they recently swept the Mavericks in Interdivisional play. Of course, that was at home - but if North Dakota State comes with a motivated roster this weekend, they very well could storm through the bracket and find themselves celebrating on Sunday.
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Spencer Helming, F; Riley Fisher, D; Derek Rasmussen, F; Jordan Elliot, G
#5 Minnesota State University Mavericks (#5 KRACH, #3 Southeast Division, CURRENT RANK: #18 Central)
Last year's WCCHA Champions and representative at the ACHA Central Regional tournament, Minnesota State hasn't quite been able to replicate that form this season. That could be largely due to roster turnover and fluidity during the season, but the Mavericks have shown flashes of being similar to the team that stormed to the championship last season. The strong play begins in the back, where the goaltending has been incredibly strong despite the departures of last season's championship winning duo. Up front, new players have stepped up to fill the void. Mankato has found ways to win, including an impressive home-and-home sweep of Bethel earlier this semester and two victories over St. Thomas, whom they were battling for the final automatic qualification spot in the Northwest. This tournament, though, will surely test their mettle as they look to repeat.
Step #1 will be overcoming the North Dakota State Bison, a team that swept them just two weeks ago in Fargo. Surely, the Mavericks will need to placate what is expected to be a strong Bison offense, but they can find solace in their strength in goal. If anything can happen - and it has at the WCCHA Tournament - the Mavericks will hope to implement the formula they did last season to earn back-to-back championships and another shot at Regionals.
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Tyler Lawry, F; John Suess, F; Brandon Rogers, D; Waldemar Sunden, G
#6 University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Blugolds (#6 KRACH, #2 Southeast Division, CURRENT RANK: #13 Central)
In some ways, the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire has been the most impressive WCCHA team this season. The Blugolds currently hold the longest winning streak at 10 games, and are undefeated in non-conference play. It seems that they've found the formula in all areas of the game, with top performers at forward, defense and in goal. The team tettered a bit early in the season, dropping some conference results that ultimately led to a lower KRACH ranking, but they have clearly found their stride as the season reaches its peak. A few players remain from the last UWEC Championship team in 2015-2016, the year before the tournament awarded the automatic bid to Regionals. The knowledge of what it takes to win the Carla Berg Cup, coupled with the momentum they've built late in the season could well see this #6 seed run the table and earn their third league crown.
In the opening round, they'll face Bethel University - a team they have never played. In many ways, the teams are similar - strong front to back with many players capable of impacting the final result. Purely on paper, this could be the game of the quarterfinal round. The Blugolds will know the opportunity that awaits and come not only ready to continue their winning streak, but leave with the chance to make it 14 (or 15!) in St. Louis in two weeks time.
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Will Reabe, F; Jared Konen, F; AJ Romanoski; Grayden Skok, G
#7 University of North Dakota Fighting Hawks (#7 KRACH, #4 Northwest Division, CURRENT RANK: N/A)
Last season, no one pushed eventual champions Minnesota State harder than North Dakota did at the 2018 WCCHA Tournament - officially tying the Mavericks in the semifinal before losing in a shootout. Fast forward to this season, and the Fighting Hawks have fought and scrapped their way back to the tournament for another shot at glory. As the first ever recipient of the WCCHA automatic bid to Regionals two seasons ago, UND is desperate to return to the big stage to earn the victory they missed out on that season. However, to do so, they'll need to put together three straight displays of high intensity to have the chance to win this weekend. Despite being the second to last team in, the Fighting Hawks have put together some impressive performances this season, including wins against both Minnesota and North Dakota State - the later of which was the only home loss suffered by NDSU this season. Despite a small roster, this team has the talent and fight to surprise a higher seed - or three - on the way to a potential first ever conference crown.
The Fighting Hawks will meet #2 Wisconsin in their first game, a first match up for the teams this season after the move to Divisions this year kept the teams apart in the regular season. By the looks of this, this game could be an absolute barn burner - a football score could be possible, but to win, UND will have to find a way to (eventually) slow down the high powered Badger offense. If they can do so, they'll get the opportunity to win the semifinal that slipped from their grasp last year on the path to the Championship game.
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Rex Riley, F; Charlie Klos, D; Ryan Lieber, D; Josh Kenney, G
#8 University of St. Thomas Tommies (#8 KRACH, #4 Southeast Division, CURRENT RANK: N/A)
As the last team in for the second year running, the Tommies have something to prove when they hit the ice on Friday in search of a second WCCHA title. The season has been a tale of chapters; a slow start, a long winning streak, a dip in form and ultimately a potential renaissance just before the start of the tournament. The Tommies boast a number of wins that should lead no one to take them lightly. UST took out both Minnesota and UW-Eau Claire in the WCCHA regular season to go along with non-conference wins over St. Mary's and Waldorf (NAIA), the second of which was on the road just last weekend. The key to St. Thomas' game is getting an early lead; if they are able to take early advantage of opponents, they are a tough defense to crack with a number of shutdown skaters on the blueline and solid goaltending. But, if they hope to win the Carla Berg Cup, they'll need the offense to find a way through at the right times
Their first round opponent, #1 Minnesota, knows this all too well having split with the Tommies in the regular season. St. Thomas will call on all of their experience, including that first semester series, in hopes of pulling an upset of the proverbial favorites. Getting past the Gophers would put the rest of the semifinalists on notice that they are here to win, and two more games played with the same intensity could see the Tommies go from bottom seed to Conference Champion- and automatic bid recipient - by Sunday afternoon.
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Jack Sterne, F; Andrew Glad, D; Jared Inserra, D; Jack Hardwick, G
