A late and abbreviated edition of the WCHA Power Rankings, as I’ve been on the road all day and am in Bemidji for this weekend’s Beavers-Mavericks series. I am also looking forward to my first games at the Sanford Center.

1 — Minnesota Duluth (Last week: 1)

A pair of one-goal wins over Alabama-Huntsville is more than enough to keep the ‘Dogs out front.

2 — Minnesota (Last week: 2)

Nothing wrong with a split against CC, but the Gophers need to figure out what ails them on Friday nights. This team is virtually unbeatable on Saturdays though…

3 — North Dakota (Last week: 3)

Wisconsin has just one road win this season, meaning UND needs to make some hay this weekend at Ralph Engelstad Arena.

4 — Denver (Last week: 4)

Good news for the Pioneers as goalie Sam Brittain is back at practice and could return soon.

5 — Colorado College (Last week: 6)

Splitting at Mariucci Arena has to be considered nice win for this team. Joe Thorimbert stopped 73 of 76 shots on the weekend.

6 — Nebraska-Omaha (Last week: 5)

An overtime win last Friday was overshadowed by Ryan Massa’s concussion. The faster he’s back, the better shape the Mavericks are in.

7 — St. Cloud State (Last week: 7)

Just as it looks like SCSU is starting to get healthy, Cory Thorson and Jordy Christian get injured. The Huskies will have just 18 healthy skaters against Minnesota this weekend, meaning no healthy scratches.

8 — Wisconsin (Last week: 10)

The Badgers got a much needed 4 points against Anchorage last weekend and are just 2 points back of UND heading to Grand Forks this weekend.

9 — Michigan Tech (Last week: 8 )

A split between SCSU and UND was the best possible scenario for the idle Huskies last weekend. Although a tough draw in Duluth tonight and tomorrow may temper the enthusiasm just a bit.

10 — Bemidji State (Last week: 9)

The weekend off wasn’t as nice to the Beavers who are stuck in WCHA no-man’s land, 4 points behind Wisconsin and 3 up on Minnesota State.

11 — Minnesota State (Last week: 11)

This could be the Mavericks last hurrah if they hope to jump any more teams in the standings. Three points stand between them and their opponent this weekend in Bemidji.

12 — Alaska-Anchorage (Last week: 12)

Nobody in the league needs a win more than the Seawolves, who have won just once since Thanksgiving. That win came against Denver Dec. 9, and the Pioneers come to Anchorage this weekend to exact some revenge.

I’ll be blogging and writing all weekend from Bemidji. Follow me on Twitter for updates!

Friday, January 27th, 2012 - 7:17 pm | Blogs, Commentary, Notes, Thoughts, Ramblings, WCHA