There isn't a lot of separation in the WCHA standings, and that's why all five conference battles this weekend are important. Only two points separate the first place Gophers and second place UMD Bulldogs. Minnesota has a home-and-home with SCSU while UMD hosts Michigan Tech.

The opening game of the season for the Gophers Friday night won't be an easy victory. Minnesota struggled against Bemidji State and Augustana in exhibition play, and now they're going up against a Bucknell team that reached the NCAA tournament last year.

The Gophers can wrap up the WCHA championship this weekend with a pair of wins against Wisconsin. They’re two points ahead of the UMD Bulldogs with two games to play. The 'Dogs are on the road this weekend against St. Cloud State.

Bowling Green University will be joining the Western Collegiate Hockey Association beginning in the 2013-14 season. Bowling Green is the fifth new addition to the conference. The new look WCHA now has nine teams ready to start play two years from now.

For the third time this season Kent Patterson has been named WCHA defensive player of the week. The senior Gophers' goalie allowed one goal in a weekend sweep of Bemidji State. The WCHA rookie of the week award was given to Gophers' forward Kyle Rau. It's the second time he's won the award.

Gophers sophomore center Nick Bjugstad has been named WCHA offensive player of the week. Bjugstad tallied five points in Minnesota's weekend split with St. Cloud State, including a hat trick in Saturday's 5-0 win.