NAHL Weekend Preview

February 17, 2023

The NAHL is back in action this weekend with a full slate of 24 games from Friday-Sunday.

Less than two months remain in the 2022-23 NAHL regular season and the race for the playoffs is heating up. All division leads are 11 points are less and the sprint is officially on to claim of the 16 Robertson Cup Playoff spots.

It was another outstanding week for NCAA commitments as eight more players made their plans known. So far, a total of 195 players who are playing in the NAHL or are NAHL alumni are committed to play NCAA hockey. That number includes five players who recently played in the 2023 NAHL Top Prospects Tournament.

In the Central Division this weekend, the red-hot St. Cloud Norsemen, who are 8-0-1 in their last nine games look to continue their ascent up the standings as they host Minot. The Minotauros are three points back of the Norsemen for 3^rd place. The 1^st place Austin Bruins look to widen their lead atop the division as they host the Bismarck Bobcats. The Bobcats are two points out of the 4^th and final playoff spot. The final series has the Aberdeen Wings looking to expand their spot in 2^nd place as they travel to Mason City to take on the last place North Iowa Bulls.

In the East, 1^st place Maryland faces a tough test as they travel to Johnstown to take on the Tomahawks, who are riding a season-high eight-game winning streak. The 2^nd place New Jersey Titans are in Danbury for a pair of games. The final series has Maine at Northeast for one more game on Friday, after Maine won on Thursday, 6-5. The two teams then travel to Maine for a Sunday game.

In the Midwest, the games in Alaska are back on as Kenai River will host Fairbanks with both clubs looking to snap small losing streaks. The Janesville Jets occupy the 4^th and final playoff spot as they travel to Anchorage to take on the Wolverines, who are just three points back. The Chippewa Steel have won four in a row and are on the road to face last place Springfield. The final series is a battle of top teams as the 1^st place Minnesota Wilderness are in Wisconsin to take on the 2^nd place Windigo with the two teams separated by a single point.

In the South, the El Paso Rhinos face the biggest challenge of the week as they are the latest team to try and slow down the Oklahoma Warriors who pay a visit having won 13 straight games and who have an NAHL-best 33-6-1 record. With a 5-0-1 record in their last six games, the Shreveport Mudbugs are making a push for 2^nd place and have a big chance to gain ground this weekend as they travel to face the 2^nd place Lone Star Brahmas. Odessa looks to snap their three-game losing streak as they visit Corpus Christi. The final series has New Mexico in Amarillo with the Ice Wolves six points ahead of the Wranglers for the 4^th and final playoff spot.

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Friday, February 17

New Jersey at Danbury - 7:00 PM EST

Maine at Northeast - 7:00 PM EST

Maryland at Johnstown - 7:30 PM EST

Minot at St. Cloud - 7:00 PM CST

MN Wilderness at Wisconsin - 7:00 PM CST

Bismarck at Austin - 7:05 PM CST

Odessa at Corpus Christi - 7:05 PM CST

Chippewa at Springfield - 7:05 PM CST