North Dakota's sweep of new WCHA member Bemidji State was the lead action in the league last weekend.
North Dakota (2-0-0, 3-0-1) posted a pair of 5-2 wins over the Beavers as Bemidji State opened the state-of-the-art Bemidji Regional Event Center. Both games featured sellout crowds of 4,373.
Things went much better for the other new member of the WCHA - Nebraska-Omaha. The Mavericks made a major statement in their league opening series, traveling to Minneapolis and posting a sweep over the Golden Gophers. UNO won a wild game Friday, building a 4-1 lead before Minnesota scored three unanswered goals to tie the game. The Mavericks then won in overtime. Saturday the Mavericks took an early lead and cruised to a 4-2 win at Mariucci Arena.
Michigan Tech took three of four points at home against visiting Minnesota State-Mankato. The Huskies posted a 5-2 victory and a 5-5 overtime tie. Michigan Tech is currently riding the nation's longest unbeaten streak at five games (3-0-2) and is off to its best start since 1972-73 when it started a perfect 8-0-0.
In non-league games over the weekend, WCHA teams went just 4-5-2 overall but still own a mark of 17-7-7 (.661) so far this season.
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Minnesota-Duluth hosted Providence and came away with a pair of victories, winning 5-3 and 7-1. Wisconsin claimed a pair of wins over Alabama-Huntsville 7-0 and 5-2. UAH started the season on a high note the week earlier, posting a split against Ferris State of the CCHA.
At the Brice Alaska Gold Rush Tournament in Fairbanks, Colorado College downed Alaska-Anchorage 4-3 on Friday. On Saturday Union College bested UAA 4-3, while tournament host Alaska-Fairbanks downed Colorado College 2-1.
In St. Cloud, the highly regarded Huskies were handed a 6-3 defeat by Miami of Ohio on Friday. The teams skated to a 1-1 overtime tie on Saturday.
National rankings
Eight of the 12 teams in the WCHA are ranked among the top 20 in the nation this week. North Dakota leads the way at No. 2, while UMD is No. 6, UNO No. 10, Denver No. 11, St. Cloud State No. 14, Wisconsin No. 15, Colorado College No. 19 and Minnesota No. 20.
Michigan Tech and Bemidji State also received votes.
