Our question this week for The Rink Live beat reporters is: With teams dealing with star players and coaches going to the Olympics, which team should be considered the favorite in the conference you cover to win the regular season title?
Those reporters are Mick Hatten, Jess Myers, Christian Babcock, Shane Frederick, Brad Schlossman, and Matt Wellens. Hatten covers St. Cloud State, Myers covers the University of Minnesota, Babcock covers Bemidji State, Frederick covers Minnesota State University-Mankato, Schlossman covers the University of North Dakota and Wellens covers Minnesota Duluth.
If you have a question for the group, follow us on Twitter and use #asktherinklive.
Mick Hatten (Huskies): In the NCHC, I think it will come down to Denver or Western Michigan, neither of whom have players going to the Olympics. I'd give a slight edge to the Broncos because they are hot (10-1 last 11 games) and have been the better road team (9-2; Denver is 5-5 on the road). The Pioneers have 7 of their last 12 games on the road; the Broncos play 8 of their last 12 on the road.
Christian Babcock (Beavers): I don't think it'll affect the CCHA too much, as Minnesota State was the odds-on favorite before and will continue to be. The Mavericks are simply a cut (or two, or three) above the rest of the league.
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Matt Wellens (Bulldogs): I like the position Denver is in right now in the NCHC, leading the field by three points with a favorable schedule. The Pioneers play three of their final six series against the bottom three teams in the league (Omaha, Colorado College, Miami), who they are 6-0 against. DU also gets St. Cloud State and Minnesota Duluth at home while both are missing key players to the Olympics. The biggest challenge will be at Western Michigan, though Denver swept the Broncos in Denver already this year.
Jess Myers (Gophers): The Big Ten has become a three-team race with Michigan, Minnesota and surprising Ohio State all in contention. Since the Buckeyes get to play both the Gophers and Wolverines while players are at the Olympics, I’ll give the nod to Steve Rohlik and company to win their second conference title in the past four years.
Brad Schlossman (Fighting Hawks): Denver was my preseason pick to win the league and I'm sticking with it. The Pioneers are in first place and rolling right now. Their biggest question mark, goalie Magnus Chrona, has three-straight shutouts and has stopped 68 shots in a row.
Shane Frederick (Mavericks): No Mike Hastings ... no Nathan Smith ... no problem. It's still Minnesota State in the CCHA.
