WCHA Notebook: Lots of things to be positive about within the conference

All teams in the WCHA have winning records to their names in early October. Each team, except for Minnesota (2-0 in exhibition matches), has at least two regular season games under their belt.

Below is a recap of each teams' weekend, current overall record, and a preview of what's to come next for each squad.

ST. CLOUD STATE (RV), 2-0:

The Huskies started off their regular season strong with a sweep of RPI, gaining the first two wins under new head coach, Brian Idalski .

Friday night's match against RPI was a dominant 5-0 win for SCSU. UMD transfer JoJo Chobak posted her official first shutout and win with the team, while Taylor Lind tallied four points (2-2-4).

The game was a bit closer on Saturday, but the Huskies still posted a 3-2 win to complete the sweep. Sanni Ahola stopped 26 of 28 shots on goal.

St. Cloud scored three power play goals over the two games, which is big for the team considering they only scored nine total on the PP over the entire 2021-22 season.

St. Cloud received votes on the USA Hockey Magazine poll this week after the two wins, but the team has a difficult test ahead. SCSU will travel to Ohio State this weekend to play the No.1 team in the nation. Puck drops are scheduled for 5 p.m. and 2 p.m. CT in Ohio for Friday and Saturday.

WISCONSIN (#4/5), 3-1:

After splitting with Penn State the week prior, the Badgers came out with a bang against Lindenwood to earn a sweep and to outscore the Lions, 16-0, over two games.

Wisconsin outshot LU by a 66-3 margin in game one and won by a score of 6-0. Eden and LaMantia both tallied three points each, while Wheeler tacked on four of her own.

Game two was even more impressive for the Badgers, outscoring Lindenwood, 10-0. Eden and O'Brien both had four points a piece, while freshman Caroline Harvey had five.

After Harvey's five-point performance, she won WCHA Rookie of the Month & Rookie of the Week awards. Five points in a single game is the most ever by a Wisconsin defender. WCHA Forward of the Month honors went to Lacey Eden after her 11 points, and WCHA Forward of the Week went to Maddi Wheeler for her seven points against the Lions.

Wisconsin will be back at home this weekend for a series against St. Thomas (Unranked, 0-0-0). Puck drops at 7 p.m. and 6 p.m. respectively on Friday and Saturday.

MINNESOTA STATE (RV), 0-2:

Despite being swept by Ohio State this weekend, Minnesota State showed lots of promise.

The Mavericks only lost to the No. 1 team in the nation by a score of 2-1 the first night, and had a 3-1 lead the second night after the first period - but ended up falling 5-4.

Both Lauren Barbro (.938%) and Alexa Berg (.891%) saw action in net this weekend for MSU.

Mankato came up short both nights, but held a lead in both games at one point and came close to upsetting the Buckeyes.

This weekend, MSU will head to Duluth to take on UMD (#4 / #5) at 6 p.m. on Friday 3 p.m. on Saturday.

MINNESOTA (#2), 0-0-0:

The Golden Gophers have yet to play a regular season game, but the team did take a 4-1 exhibition win over the Minnesota Whitecaps over the weekend.

Four different players found the back of the net and two separate goaltenders were able hit the ice during the match.

The No. 2 team in the nation will open up regular season play this weekend against conference rival Bemidji State (unranked / 2-1-1). Games will be played at Ridder Arena on Friday and Saturday with puck drops 6 p.m. and 2 p.m. CT.

ST. THOMAS, 0-0-0:

The Tommies also have yet to play in a regular season game.

St. Thomas was off this past weekend, after a 4-1 exhibition win the week before to the University of Manitoba.

Unranked UST will have a tough task in opening up regular season play on the road against #4/5 Wisconsin on Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m. and 6 p.m., respectively.

OHIO STATE (#1), 2-0:

Ohio State came away with a sweep of Minnesota State (2-1 and 5-4) in the squad's opening weekend of play.

The Mavericks put up a great fight against the Buckeyes, holding a lead during both games, but weren't able to keep up with OSU in the end.

Goaltender Amanda Thiele played both nights for Ohio State. Rosenthal and Gardiner had two points a piece in game one, while Hauswirth and Jaques had two each the next night.

OSU will play at home this weekend against St. Cloud State (RV, 2-0). Game times are set for 5 p.m. CT on Friday and 2 p.m. CT on Saturday.

BEMIDJI STATE, 2-1-1:

After a sweep their opening weekend, Bemidji State would end up with a loss (5-0) and a tie (2-2) against Clarkson (#10) in week two.

Hannah Hogenson was in net both nights for the Beavers.

Night one was a struggle for Bemidji State, but night two the Beavers fought back and were able to skate to a tie. BSU could've had a chance at winning the game, but took one too many penalties. Paige Anderson assisted on both goals on Saturday.

Bemidji State will have another tough task this weekend. The team will travel to Ridder Arena to take on the Minnesota Golden Gophers (#2) at 6 p.m. on Friday and 2 p.m. on Saturday.

MINNESOTA DULUTH (#4/5), 4-0:

The Bulldogs had a little bit of a scare on Thursday night against St. Lawrence (RV), but were able to come away with two wins last week in New York.

UMD won 3-2 in overtime against SLU, with Maggie Flaherty scoring the game winner just over a minute into the extra frame.

The next night, the Bulldogs defeated Penn State (#11/12) in a demanding 4-0 win, exploding in a three-goal third period.

Emma Soderberg was in net both nights. Soderberg is the WCHA Goaltender of the Month and of the Week.

Ashton Bell receives WCHA Defender of the Month honors, while Maggie Flaherty is the WCHA Defender of the Week/Howies Hockey Tape Performance of the Week.

Minnesota Duluth will be at home this weekend to take on Minnesota State. Game times are set for 6 p.m. on Friday and 3 p.m. on Saturday.