Feb. 24—GRAND FORKS — We're heading into the final week of the regular season in the National Collegiate Hockey Conference.
We know which four teams will host NCHC quarterfinal best-of-three series next weekend — UND, Denver, Western Michigan and Minnesota Duluth.
But lots more will shake out this weekend, including the winner of the Penrose Cup as NCHC regular-season champions.
Here's what to know heading into the weekend:
1. If there's a tie atop the NCHC standings, both teams will be crowned Penrose Cup champions. Tiebreakers are used only for seeding purposes in the NCHC postseason tournament.
2. UND and Western Michigan cannot finish tied in the standings. The NCHC avoided the nightmare scenarios of having to present the Penrose to both UND and Western Michigan on the same night, as well as the potential of a three-way tie for the Penrose.
3. If UND gets one point this weekend, it clinches at least a share of the Penrose Cup AND the No. 1 seed for the NCHC tournament. The Fighting Hawks hold the tiebreaker over Denver based on goal differential in head-to-head games.
4. UND clinches the Penrose Cup outright with two or more points (a victory or two overtime games).
5. If UND does not get a point, Western Michigan will win at least a share of the Penrose Cup AND the No. 1 seed for the NCHC tournament. Western Michigan holds the tiebreaker over Denver based on goal differential in head-to-head games.
5. Because the Penrose Cup will definitely be presented in Kalamazoo this weekend — either UND or Western Michigan is guaranteed to win it — NCHC commissioner Heather Weems will be in the building for the presentation.
6. Denver cannot earn the No. 1 seed, but could share the Penrose Cup as long as UND does not secure two or more points in Kalamazoo. Denver hosts Arizona State in Magness Arena this weekend.
7. If Denver wins a share of the Penrose Cup, NCHC associate commissioner Michael Weisman will be in Magness Arena to present the Cup to the Pioneers. Weisman presented Penrose Cups to UND and Denver in 2022.
8. Yes, there are two Penrose Cups. One usually sits in the NCHC's offices in Colorado Springs. The only time two teams claimed the Penrose in the same year was 2022 (UND, Denver).
9. UND could still finish first, second or third.
10. The ninth-place team does not make the NCHC tournament this season. Four teams could still finish ninth — Miami (25 points), Colorado College (25), Arizona State (22) or Omaha (21). Miami plays at Omaha this weekend. Arizona State is at Denver. Colorado College is at Minnesota Duluth, which is locked into fourth place.