Weekly Preview Johnson and Wolverines hope for a big weekend at Yost against Miami

This weeks big series comes in the CCHA where the Michigan Wolverines host the Miami Redhawks at Yost Ice Arena in Ann Arbor, MI.

Defensemen Jack Johnson (pictured above), was one of many people who had a big two game weekend as the Wolverines easily defeated Alabama-Huntsville 8-1, and defeated UCONN the next night 7-5. Johnson scored two of the 15 goals this weekend, while also tallying two assists. But the big weekend belonged to Junior Forward Chad Kolarik who had four goals and three assists for seven points. And the other big gun for the Wolverines, T.J. Hensick had three goals and two assists for five points. I don't expect the Wolverines to put up as many goals as they did last weekend, however the offense can still click with some firepower, which they were missing last season.

Miami is also coming off a two win weekend as they swept Canisius, outscoring the Griffs 8-2 over the weekend. Nathan Davis and Ryan Jones are picking up right where they left off last season, both have a combined four goals and seven assists for 11 points. The Redhawks however will need some more offense this weekend. You never know one of these teams whether its Michigan or Miami could strike at any point of the game.

In the goaltending matchup I give the edge to Miami. Billy Sauer has plenty of talent don't get me wrong, however, he gave up five goals against UCONN and only has a save percentage of .897. Sauer will improve, however the duo of Miami's Charlie Effinger (2-0, 1.50 gaa) and Jeff Zatkoff (1-1, 2.52 gaa) could be the best 1-2 goalie combonation in the country.

It is hard to predict whether the two games this weekend will be highly offensive (which would favor Michigan), or if it will be defensive (where Miami has the edge). Should be an interesting two game series this weekend.

Not to forget this weekend, there is also Maine and North Dakota. Maine is 3-0 while North Dakota suffered their first loss on Saturday night against Wisconsin where they were shutout 1-0. The series is in Grand Forks. The 3-1 Sioux will face the 3-0 Black Bears in another great matchup this weekend. The winner of this series will stay in the top five, while a split could keep both teams in the top five. Expect a grueling, hard fought series this weekend at the Ralph.

In other college hockey action this weekend:

Wisconsin and Boston College face each other next week, but before that they have some tough competition. BC will host Notre Dame and Bowling Green, while Wisconsin hosts a much improved Minnesota-Duluth team in Madison for two.

Ohio State will host Minnesota this weekend. Everyone will wonder if the fans will come after only a little above 2,000 people came to see both games this weekend against Lake Superior at the Schottenstein Center which holds over 17,000. Will a National power draw more fans at Ohio State?

Alaska hosts Alaska Anchorage this weekend.

And Niagara, Northern Michigan, and UMASS-Lowell will be at the Maverick Stampede with host Nebraska-Omaha.

Find out these results and more in the Weekly wrap-up next week.