Let's Play Hockey: Rivalry Week Edition

Games to Watch:

#5 Alaska-Fairbanks at Alaska-Anchorage
UAF got their season off to a great start with a win and tie at Minnesota. Meanwhile, UAA was the last WCHA to lose a game this season, before falling last Saturday night. The battle for the Governor's Cup is college hockey's most intense rivlary. Fairbanks comes into the series as the favorite, but haven't swept at UAA since 1987. UAA's only win three years ago came at home against the Nanooks. For the Seawolves, sophomore goalie Nathan Lawson has a groin injury, so senior John DeCaro will probably see most of the action. Wylie Rogers will get the start in goal for UAF on Friday, and coach Tavis MacMillan will decide between Rogers and freshmen Chad Johnson on Saturday. I would not be surprised to see a split this weekend.

#9Northern Michigan vs. Michigan Tech
These two Upper Peninsula teams will play a home and home series this weekend. The real fight though, may be in the stands when two of the best pep bands in the country battle for supremacy. On the ice, Northern is the favorite going into the the games, but they've always struggled against weaker competition, and I think Tech will be able to steal a game in this series.

#4Michigan State at #3Michigan
These teams only meet one once this weekend, but it should be a great game. Both teams are undefeated with wins over good, but young teams. Michigan State will have to try and keep up with Michigan's team speed. Michigan will most likely find themselves trying to cling to a one goal lead late in the game; something they could not do last year against MSU.

#8North Dakota at New Hampshire
Even though UNH was beaten by Omaha last weekend, they are still going to be one of the better teams out east, so it is critical for North Dakota to come away from this series with at least one win to help their tournament resume in March.

Players to Watch:

Jordan Parise, North Dakota
Parise hasn't given up a goal yet in two games played. North Dakota will need another great performance out of him to beat UNH in New Hampshire.

John DeCaro, Alaska-Anchorage
With starter Nathan Lawson not at 100%, DeCaro will have to step up into the starting role for the Seawolves. DeCaro has proven himself capable in the past, but will need a huge performance to slow down one of the most talented UAF teams in years.

Andrew Ebbett, Michigan
The Wolverine's second line center not only needs to provide his play-making ability this weekend, but he also could be matched up against MSU's dangerous second line center, Bryan Lerg who is off to a great start this season.

Ryan Potulny, Minnesota
Potulny had 24 goals last year, and a goal in each of Minnesota's first two games, and the Mavericks of Mankato shouldn't provide too much trouble for the Gophers, but dating back to last season, 19 of Potulny's 26 goals have included an assist from either Dan Irmen, who is out for a month due to finger surgery, or Tyler Hirsch, who announced that he is taking the rest of the year off for personal reasons. Potulny will have to find new linemates to help set him up.