Picking the WCHA, Dec. 15-16

It’s the last harrah before the holiday break, and a bunch of WCHA teams are in action. Which ones will get what they want from St Nick and which get coal in their stockings?

Here’s what we think.

Lake Superior State at Michigan Tech

Sean: Tech got conned into a sweep last week by Ferris State when they were the better team in each game. I think they learn from that mistake. Huskies 3-2, 4-1

Jack: Also, Lake State didn’t look particularly sharp against Minnesota State last week, either (12 goals against in two games… ouch). I think Tech gets it done — but probabaly doesn’t score quite as many goals as MSU. Huskies 4-2, 3-2

Ferris State at Northern Michigan

Sean: Northern Michigan has done a nice job this season when getting to overtime, that should help them pick up an extra point on Saturday. Wildcats 2-1, 3-2 (shootout)

Jack: This is a sneaky-underrated series featuring two of the top goalscorers in the league in NMU’s Robbie Payne (13 goals) and FSU’s Mitch Maloney (12). I think they split, with each of them scoring a couple. Bulldogs 4-2, Wildcats 4-2

Alaska Anchorage at Bemdji State

Sean: Anchorage is reeling at the moment and haven’t show much fight in the past two weeks. Seems like the ideal situation for the Beavers. Beavers 2-0, 5-1

Jack: The Beavers haven’t exactly been lighting the league on fire, either — they haven’t won a conference game since Nov. 4. But I think this is a perfect bounceback series for them. Beavers 3-1, 4-1

Alabama Huntsville at Minnesota State

Sean: Am I really going to pick four sweeps in one weekend? I guess I am. Mavericks 4-1, 3-2

Jack: The Mavericks have been good, but the Chargers have gotten points from every single league series they’ve played. I think that will continue. Mavericks 4-2, Chargers 2-2 (shootout win)