DU Pioneer hockey will head to North Dakota this weekend for first round WCHA playoff action.

With two losses to rival Colorado College this past Thursday and Friday, DU fell into seventh place in the WCHA (Western Collegiate Hockey Association). With a regular season conference record of 11 wins, 11 losses, and six ties, the Pioneers have a total of 28 points. In first place is Colorado College, who gains the advantage of home-ice advantage throughout the entire WCHA playoff tournament as long as they win every series.

In the two games DU played against North Dakota, they have one win and one tie giving them a slight advantage going into the first round series.

Last Thursday, the Pioneers had the challenge of playing in front of a sell out crowd of 7,627 fans at the World Arena in Colorado Springs. Despite an exciting first period with some great scoring chances, the Pioneers were unable to put a puck past the Tiger goalie and the period ended scoreless. In the second, Joe Cullen of CC, broke the scoreless tie when he scored on the power play with five minutes left in the period. Cullen’s teammate, Noah Clarke, netted one giving the Tigers a 2-0 lead and that is how the game would end. The Pioneers were unable to make up any ground in the third as McElhinney was awarded the shut out.

On Friday night, the action moved to Magness Arena, but the Pioneers were unable to use the hometown crowd to get a win. Doell scored one in the first and Barber doubled the Pioneers lead with one in the second, but they were unable to hold the lead as the Tigers scored four in the third including two in the final minute of regulation.

Throughout the series, CC proved why they are currently the number one team in the nation. CC will host the tenth ranked team from Alaska-Anchorage while DU must travel to North Dakota to face off against the Fighting Sioux.

A best of three game series will be played with the winner advancing to the second round.