Last week we previewed the matchup between the NCHC’s top 2 teams, second-ranked St. Cloud State and 10th-ranked Western Michigan. The matchup didn’t live up to the hype as the Huskies took care of the Broncos fairly easily in both games.
Friday night SCSU shut out WMU 3-0 behind goals from Nick Poehling, Micah Miller, and Jack Poehling. The game was scoreless going into the second period, but that changed early on with Nick Poehling’s goal, followed up by Miller’s goal eight minutes later. Nick’s brother, Jack, officially ended the Broncos 10-game unbeaten streak with an empty netter late in the third period. Goaltender Dávid Hrenák secured his third shutout of the season and kept the Huskies unbeaten at home.
On Saturday, the Broncos jumped out to an early lead in the first period on a goal by Dawson DiPietro. The lead didn’t last long with the Huskies scoring four unanswered goals in the second period to take a 4-1 lead. Despite a third period charge by WMU, the Huskies were able to hold on and win 5-3, improving their home record to 10-0-0.
Two big wins by SCSU this weekend helped them regain their #1 ranking in today’s USCHO rankings, receiving 46 of the 50 first-place votes. The Broncos, however, saw themselves drop three spots from 10th to 13th. The Huskies head on the road this weekend to take on the University of North Dakota, while things don’t get any easier for the Broncos as they return home to face 4th-ranked University of Denver.