NAHL Weekend Preview
This weekend on the NAHL schedule we see 26 games on the slate over the course of tonight and tomorrow.
All teams are roughly at the 40 game mark meaning the race for the postseason is officially on for the final third of the regular season. What we thought may be a smooth ride to a first place finish for Minot in the Central Division could become very interesting this weekend as the Bismarck Bobcats have won eight in a row and the division lead is now just seven points.
The 2024 Top Prospects Tournament was held this past week just outside of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The scouts were numerous as they witnessed the best uncommitted players the NAHL had to offer. You can check out the stats for the games on the scoreboard page or go back and watch the TPT games on demand on NAHLTV.
With the conclusion of the Top Prospects Tournament, commitments will increase and we’ve already seen the significance and impact of that great event as the NAHL is now up to 195 commitments on the season.
Now on to the games to watch this weekend…
In the Central, a home and home between Minot and Bismarck could either settle the Central Division race or bring it tighter than it has ever been this season. As mentioned before, the Bobcats have won eight games in a row and sit just seven points back of the Minotauros for first place. A sweep in regulation would bring the Bobcats within 3 points with a game in hand. Minot is 6-4 in their last 10 games and so far the season series belongs to the Minotauros 3-2 but including this weekend, these two teams go head-to-head seven more times. Elsewhere in the division, Austin and St. Cloud have a home-and-home and North Iowa visits the Wings in Aberdeen.
In the East, the Jr. Americans and Tomahawks are making a charge to put themselves in playoff position. Rochester is 8-0-2 in their last 10 contests while the Tomahawks are 9-1. Both teams take their show on the road this week visiting New Hampshire and Philadelphia respectively. Danbury travels to Maine for a date with the Nordiques who start a long home stand. Maryland, New Jersey and Northeast are idle this weekend.
In the Midwest, two of the hottest teams in the division square off as Wisconsin hosts Janesville in a battle for first place. Both teams have won nine of their last 10 games as the Windigo hold a four point lead over the Jets for first place but Janesville does have two games in hand. They split their only series thus far this season and have six more meetings after their dates in the dome tonight and tomorrow. Elsewhere, Anchorage is in Chippewa in a huge series between the two clubs. The Steel are currently one point behind Anchorage and Minnesota for a playoff position. The Wilderness host Kenai River while Fairbanks and Springfield have the weekend off.
In the South, the defending champs host the Lone Star Brahmas. The Warriors have figured things out since the calendar flipped to 2024. They have won nine of their last 10 games while the Brahmas are 6-3-1 in that same span. Shreveport is in Corpus Christi for three, winning last night 2-1 and hoping to keep their six game win streak alive. El Paso hosts Amarillo as the Rhinos look to continue to separate themselves from the pack and lock in their first berth in the Robertson Cup playoffs. New Mexico is in Odessa for a three game series as well. The Ice Wolves took a 5-4 decision last night and will look to keep up their strong play as of late.
Watch all the action on NAHLTV
