Weekly Preview It's Showcase Time

Yes it is that time of year again. The college hockey showcase featuring Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan State, and Michigan.

So here is the tale of tale of the tape:

Minnesota: The Golden Gophers are coming off a sweep in the Border War against Wisconsin at Marruci Arena. Minnesota has not lost a game since the first game of the year against Maine. Their 10-1-2 mark in their first 13 games is one of their best starts in team history. And to prove how good Minnesota is, six players are averaging more than a point per game and eight players already have 10+ points. As a team the Gophers have scored 55 goals, averaging more than four goals per game. And not to forgett that their defense and their goalies have been outstanding as well. The defense has only gave up 25 goals all season, and the goaltending between Senior Kellen Briggs (pictured above) and Sophomore Jeff Frazee has worked out. Minnesota is unquestionably the favorite to win both games in the College Hockey Showcase against Michigan and Michigan State.

Wisconsin: After winning the National Championship last season, the Badgers came in as the number two team in the pre-season polls. But the slow 4-8-2 start has knocked the Badgers out of the top 20. The Badgers are winless in their last five games and have only scored six goals in that span. The only positive is that the Badgers defense has been keeping them in games. While goaltender Brian Elliott has a 2.02 goals against average, the offense has not been showing up. In fact only one player has 10 points and that is Senior Forward Andrew Joudery. Granted the Badgers have had a lot of injuries, and players such as Jack Skille and Ross Carlson are coming back, however, they need to get back in rhythm in order for the Badgers to make a run. Expect the Badgers to play with a lot of desperation this weekend.

Michigan State: The Spartans are coming off a split against Notre Dame over the weekend. A solid start has the Spartans in the top 10. Jeff Lerg is has two shutouts in three games and is one of the reasons why the Spartans are playing better defensively. Offensively the trio of Tim Kennedy, Tim Crowder, and Bryan Lerg could be the most leathal weapons in the country. Though they have two tough games on the road in the Showcase, the Spartans could be the team who knocks off Minnesota at their home ice.

Michigan: This could be the best offense in the country. The Wolverines have two players with 20 points already in Kevin Porter and T.J. Hensick. While their defense has been questionable at times, it seems like Michigan is starting to gel on D. Michigan has won five in a row and are looking to extend that, but it will be tough with Minnesota and Wisconsin on the road. Expect role players such as defensemen Jack Johnson to step up in the Showcase.

And do not forget before the Showcase, Michigan and Michigan State will face off at the Munn Ice Arena in East Lansing. This will already be the third meeting between the two teams and could meet again in the Great Lakes Invatational and the two teams have another meeting later in the year.

In other college hockey action this weekend:

After a huge win against Maine, Boston College is right back in the top five. Can they keep that ranking with a win against number eight New Hampshire at Conte Forum?

Colorado College and North Dakota will play two in Grand Forks for two huge games in the WCHA? Both teams have had an up and down season and will need victories at this point of the season.

And the last of the top five games of the week has Clarkson and Miami facing off against each other in upstate New York.

Other games to watch out for include:

Nebraska-Omaha and Notre Dame
Boston University and Yale
Dartmouth and Quinnipiac
The RPI holiday tournament featuring Rensselaer, Ohio State, Niagara, and Colgate

Don't forget to check out the Hobey Watch tommorrow exclusively on hockeynuts.