| WCHA standings Top 8 make playoffs |
Pts. | Gms | Next |
| 5. Ferris State | 32 | 4 | vs. UAA |
| 6. N. Michigan | 31 | 4 | @ MSU |
| 6. Lake Superior | 31 | 4 | @ UAF |
| 8. Alaska* | 30 | 4 | vs. LSSU |
| 8. UAH | 30 | 2 | Idle |
| 10. AK-Anchorage | 27 | 4 | @ FSU |
| * Alaska has the tiebreaker over UAH (2-1-1 head-to-head) | |||
The Chargers are off in this penultimate week of the regular season, which means we’ll be scoreboard watching.
UAH is currently tied for the eighth place in the WCHA standings. The Chargers are tied with Alaska for the final playoff spot, but Alaska has the tiebreaker thanks to the Nanooks’ 2-1-1 record against UAH this season.
This means the Chargers must get points next week in the final series at Bowling Green and get some help, including this week.
So, who do we root for this week that will help UAH’s chances?
Alaska Anchorage at Ferris State: The crazy thing about the standings right now is that only two points separate fifth (where Ferris State is) from ninth (where UAH technically is). And it’s only five points between Ferris State and last-place Alaska Anchoarge.
Obviously, we don’t want Alaska Anchorage, which is only three points behind UAH, to catch and pass the Chargers. UAH really only needs to pass one team, and Ferris State is the least likely the one to be passed, so it might be best to have Ferris State keep UAA down so UAH doesn’t have to worry about the Seawolves.
Root for: Ferris State to at least get four points.
Northern Michigan at Minnesota State: Northern Michigan is on an absolute tear, going 7-0-2 in its last nine (and as mentioned before, has shut out opponents in its last five). The Wildcats , tied for sixth and just a point ahead of UAH, go to Mankato to play a Minnesota State team that’s in third place and has already clinched a spot in the playoffs (and looking to be home for the first round).
Root for: This one’s easy — Minnesota State to sweep.
Lake Superior State at Alaska: This one’s trickier. Both clubs have “A” tiebreakers (four-game head-to-head advantage) over the Chargers. Lake Superior is only a point ahead, and Alaska is tied.
Remember that UAH only needs to beat out one of these teams to make the playoffs. We want is for whoever is closest to UAH to stay as close as possible, and right now that’s Alaska. So, we should want Lake Superior to win to keep UAH and Alaska tied.
However, should Alaska win on Friday, then Alaska jumps ahead of Lake Superior, and the Lakers become our new target. In that case, we’ll want Alaska to win Saturday.
What we don’t want is a split, which would put distance between UAH and both teams.
Root for: Lake Superior State first. If Alaska wins the first game, root for the Nanooks to sweep.