The final weekend of the regular season is upon us, and I stand with an overall pick record of 53-40-3 (.552). Last week, I went 5-2-1 (.625) in my picks, not bad considering the disastrous picks I was making in the beginning of 2013.

This weekend, every team is playing, with each team competing against a team in the opposing division. All the match-ups are fresh, as none of them have played each other earlier this season. With neither division having a set playoff field, it’ll be an exciting eight games.

Friday-Saturday, Feb. 15-16

Finlandia at Adrian
The Adrian Bulldogs (15-0-3) are the 2013 MCHA regular season champions, and have earned themselves a first-round bye to the Harris Cup Four. The Bulldogs remain the lone team in the nation who are undefeated in their conference. Most recently, the Bulldogs swept Concordia. Finlandia (7-11-0) swept Lawrence last weekend. This is a do-or-die weekend for the Lions. They have 14 points in the North Division, with Lawrence and Northland tied right behind them with 12 points. The fourth spot in the division doesn’t make the playoffs. Finlandia is going to need to dig deep and play desperate for at least one win this weekend. Adrian 4-1, Finlandia 3-2

Northland at MSOE
Milwaukee School of Engineering (11-5-2) secured a hosting gig for the first round of the postseason with a tie and a win over Lake Forest last weekend. Northland (6-12-0) was swept by Marian. Northland is tied with Lawrence for the bottom spot in the Northern Division, however, the LumberJacks are tied with the Vikings and only two points out of the second spot, where the Lions sit with 14 points. Northland will need to play with some solid hockey to garner four points this weekend, but there is still a lot at stake depending on how Lawrence and Finlandia do. MSOE 3-2, Northland 2-1

Lake Forest vs. Lawrence
All Lake Forest (6-9-3) needs this weekend is one win to solidify its spot in the postseason. Lake Forest is three points ahead of Concordia in the Southern Division. Last weekend, Lake Forest fought to two overtime games with MSOE, tying the first, 2-2, before a 5-4 loss the next night. Lawrence (5-11-2) is tangled in the web of “what-ifs” that is the Northern Division right now. The Vikings are holding on with 12 points, but are on a five-game losing streak. Lake Forest 5-2, Lawrence 4-1

Concordia vs. Marian
The Marian Sabres (11-7-0) have captured the top spot in the Northern Division with two convincing wins over Northland last weekend. They, along with the Bulldogs, earned a first-round bye, and we’ll be seeing them in the Harris Cup Four. Concordia (6-12-0) lost two games to Adrian over the weekend. They lost, 6-1, the first night before battling to a 6-5 loss on Saturday. The rookie team is eager to play in the postseason this year. This is the first meeting for the two teams, as first year coach for the Falcons Jasen Wise left the Sabres last year to take the helm with Concordia. The Falcons will need two wins this weekend, and losses from Lake Forest, to make it to the first round of the playoffs. Marian 3-2, Concordia 5-1

Well, it’s finally here, the start of the NCAA Division III men’s hockey playoffs.

In the NCHA, the Peter’s Cup playoffs begin on Friday with several intriguing match-ups. The team to beat is Wisconsin-Eau Claire, the third-ranked team in D-III. However, after wrapping up their first NCHA title last week, the Blugolds received a first-round bye.

Here’s what should happen in the opening round of the Peters Cup tournament.

Friday-Saturday, Feb. 15-16

No. 7 Wisconsin-Stout at No. 2 St. Norbert
Remember, Wis.-Stout did upset the Green Knights at home back in January, so another shocking win isn’t out of the realm of possibility. While St. Norbert didn’t have a great end to the regular season, the Green Knights still have what it takes to make another push to the national championship. The Blue Devils have Nick Hopper, one of the NCHA’s best goalies, but Wis.-Stout can’t match St. Norbert’s offensive firepower. The Green Knights, ranked fifth nationally, have too many weapons to contend with.
My pick: St. Norbert 3-2

No. 6 Wisconsin-River Falls at No. 3 Wisconsin-Stevens Point
The Pointers had one of the toughest schedules in D-III, and came out of it with a 14-10-1 record, placing third in the rigid NCHA (8-9-1). Either Wis.-Stevens Point enters the postseason physically and mentally drained, or bolstered by its difficult path to the playoffs. The Falcons come into this weekend’s clash with forward Adam Cardwell (27 points) and goalie Scott Lewan (2.84 goals-against average), leading the way. The Pointers don’t have any big names that stand out, but have received steady play from forward Kyle Heck (20 points) and defenseman Alex Brooks, who’s an impressive plus-16 in plus-minus. I see the Pointers easing past the Falcons in a tough series. My pick: Wis.-Stevens Point

No. 5 Wisconsin-Superior at No. 4 St. Scholastica
This is a true border battle, with the two schools separated by only a few miles. Who’s going to leave the Peter’s Cup playoffs with bragging rights in the Northland? If this series would have been played in December, I probably would have picked Wis.-Superior, but the Yellowjackets have limped to the finish line. Wis.-Superior (11-12-2) went 0-5-1 down the stretch. Granted, two of those losses came to Wis.-Eau Claire and St. Norbert. St. Scholastica, meanwhile, has surged in recent weeks, finishing the regular season at (11-13-1). The Saints are 4-1 since Jan. 25. I think St. Scholastica keeps its momentum going and squeaks past the Yellowjackets. My pick: St. Scholastica

It’s the final weekend of the 2012-13 regular season, and the ECAC West standings are still far from being set in stone. Last week, I went 5-1 (didn’t pick Neumann to top Hobart), and am 45-13-4 (.758) for the season.

Friday-Saturday, Feb. 15-16

Utica (19-4 overall, 10-3 ECAC West) at Manhattanville (13-8-2, 6-5-2)
With a win and a tie this weekend and a Hobart loss, or a pair of Utica wins, the No. 7 Pioneers can claim the ECAC West regular-season crown. The incentive is there for Utica, which has won eight of its last nine games; but the host Valiants want to stay ahead of fourth-place Neumann. A split may be in order, with No. 15 Manhattanville playing at “home” this weekend in Connecticut. Utica 5-4, Manhattanville 4-3

Elmira (10-14, 5-9) at Hobart (18-4-2, 10-3-1)
Elmira has lost two straight after falling at Manhattanville on Tuesday, and the Soaring Eagles are locked into fifth place, three points behind Neumann, with just one game left to play. Hobart itself is coming off a loss to Neumann, but the No. 6 Statesmen can clinch the conference with a victory in their regular-season finale. Hobart 5-3

Nazareth (6-16-1, 1-12) at Neumann (14-6-3, 6-6-3)
Neumann jumped back into the USCHO Division III poll last week at No. 14 after recording a pair of wins, and the Knights still have a shot at third place in the league standings. Expansion Nazareth is reeling, having gone winless in its last five games, and the Golden Flyers are facing a tough task on the road. Neumann 4-2, 5-2

It may have been used a lot over the past week, but Nemo found New England and really altered the playing schedule. That is no excuse for my picks, which finished at 3-1-1 (.700), but trying to keep things normal and consistent is one thing coaches are determined to do at this point of the season. The Bowdoin vs. Trinity game was postponed, so that may have helped or hurt the numbers. My overall record is now at 44-17-8 (.696), so this is the last chance to end on a positive note for the season.

Here are the selections for the final and most crucial week of the regular season.

Friday, February 15, 2013

Trinity at Wesleyan
The first of the season ending home-and home series could have some bearing on the final seedings for these two schools. No matter the position in the standings, these two always play it close to the vest, and this one is no different. The visitors pull it out late. Trinity 3-2

Williams at Amherst
The Lord Jeffs are playing to get a home-ice berth, while the Ephs are looking to continue their strong play and hopefully keep the number two seed behind league leaders, Bowdoin. Six is probably high on the goal count, but I think special teams are going to be a factor in this one. Amherst 4-2

Connecticut College at Colby
Colby has been playing some better hockey in the second half of the season, and the battle for the final playoff positions is as hotly-contested as the battle for home ice is at the top of the ledger. Home ice is the difference maker here, which creates a lot of drama for Saturday’s contests. Colby 2-1

Saturday, February 16, 2013

Middlebury at Amherst
Both teams have incentive to win this season finale, but probably more so the visitors, who have had trouble with the Lord Jeffs in both the regular season and conference tournament of late. If the goaltending is sorted out for the Panthers, they can get it done on the road. Just enough saves to get it done. Middlebury 3-2

Williams at Hamilton
This one could be a preview of a quarterfinal match-up next weekend, but not at the same venue. The Ephs have to take this long bus trip, but no matter, the outcome still goes their way, with just enough offense to take the win. Williams 2-0

Tufts at Colby
The Mules are looking for something that has been elusive all season: back-to-back wins. The effort and results are there, but it still might not be enough to keep them practicing for a quarterfinal game next week. Colby 3-2

Two teams are officially done for the season after Saturday’s contests. It doesn’t get more dramatic than that — drop the puck!

A 4-2-0 (.667) weekend despite the chaos the blizzard left behind means I may almost be as focused as the teams that had to adapt to the changing schedule and challenging travel conditions. The overall season numbers are now 53-18-7 (.724). I really want to stay above the 70 percent threshold, so I need to find just one more solid week.

This is it! Everyone plays next weekend, but where and against who will still be determined by results this week. Here are this weekend’s selections.

Friday, February 15, 2013

University of New England at New England College
The first match-up went to the home team in overtime after a furious third period rally by the Pilgrims. These teams are that close, so why not a repeat, at least in the final score? This time, the score favors the Pilgrims on home ice. New England College 4-3

Norwich at Babson
The first match-up was decided in the first period by an aggressive Babson team that scored early and never looked back. The Cadets remember that, and want to send a message should another game between the two come to bear for higher stakes. Norwich 3-2

Southern Maine at St. Anselm
The Hawks have not been at their best of late, with losses in three straight games. They can’t play in the ECAC East tournament, but coach Ed Seney’s team can do something special in the NE-10 tournament, and some consecutive wins would help build that momentum. St. Anselm 5-2

Saturday, February 16, 2013

Castleton at Skidmore
The Spartans don’t want to think about just hanging out in Saratoga Springs for the week, since these two will likely see each other in the quarterfinals next week. The winner here is the likely host, which is solid motivation for both teams. I like the Thoroughbreds on the big sheet in what could be a wide-open thriller. Skidmore 4-2

Southern Maine at New England College
The Pilgrims want to move as far as they can from a trip to Vermont or Boston — not that Wellesley would be any picnic.  Momentum is the key to this one, and a fast start helps NEC get the two points.  New England College 3-1

Norwich at Massachusetts-Boston
The Cadets don’t have much to play for right? Don’t think that is the way coach McShane’s team is approaching the final tune-ups for another conference championship run.  The Beacons are dangerous, and the Cadets want to give them something to think about should they see each other for a third time this season. Norwich 4-3

The second season is just a week away, but for many teams, this week probably already feels like the playoffs have started.  It’s the last chance to build some momentum into the playoffs — drop the puck!

Suffolk coach Chris Glionna and his Rams can’t be happy with the kind of hockey they were playing heading into this week. Prior to Thursday’s date at Western New England, the Rams had been stuck in the throes of a six-game winless streak at the wrong time of the season.

Hope springs eternal, however. The ECAC Northeast always gives you a chance to get up and get going. On Saturday, whether a playoff spot is on the line or not, that’s what the Rams should do vs. Becker.

When you look back at this run, the offense has been the biggest concern. In the four games leading into this week, Suffolk had scored just three goals total.

Becker, allowing 5.18 goals per game — last in the conference — should be the right elixir. Look for Suffolk to end the regular season on a high note. Suffolk 3-1

Saturday, Feb. 16

Salve Regina at Wentworth
We like the upset here in the regular-season finale for both teams. The Leopards will be coming off what will likely be a grueling game against Curry two nights before, and maybe — just maybe — they may also be looking ahead to the postseason. The game will mean more to Salve Regina, and we think the Seahawks will play like it. Salve Regina 3-2

Western New England at Nichols
Seeding will be the flavor of the day here for the Golden Bears and the Bison. Expect a tight game, but perhaps each team plays it close to the vest, knowing more important days are ahead. Nichols won this match-up, 4-1, last month. We’ll stick with that side, but much closer. Nichols 2-1

Last week: 2-0; Overall: 26-17-1

Well, the final week of the regular season has arrived for teams in the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, and a lot is still on the line, including deciding which team is going to win the regular season championship. All we know for sure at the moment is that St. Olaf is headed to the postseason. The Oles have already clinched a berth, and are currently in first place by a point in the conference standings.

I enter this week with a 60-50 record, which isn’t bad at all considering I had some rough weeks earlier this season trying to make predictions. It got to the point where I just thought about pulling names out of a hat and hoping for the best.

Four series are on tap for this week, starting with the opener of St. Thomas’ battle with Augsburg. Those teams will wrap the series up on Saturday.

Concordia and St. Mary’s are the only teams that won’t play a home-and-home this weekend. The Cardinals are hosting both games, and that could be crucial to their playoff hopes.

So without further delay, here are my final picks of the regular season.

Thursday and Saturday, Feb. 14 and Feb. 16

Augsburg vs. St. Thomas
The Tommies still have a chance to win another regular season conference championship. St. Thomas is 8-5-1 in league play and tied with St. John’s in points at 17. The Tommies have dropped three of four. and will start this series at home. They are coming off a 5-1 win over Bethel, and will need to be on top of their game on offense to be successful this weekend. How the Tommies play on defense will likely determine their fate. If they can limit opportunities for the Auggies and create a cushion on the scoreboard early on, they will be in good shape. Augsburg is on the outside looking in at the moment with a 6-6-2 record, which means the Auggies probably need to win both games to keep their playoff hopes alive. The good news for Augsburg is that it has won three consecutive games, scoring 15 goals during that stretch, and is going to need to find ways to capitalize on every opportunity against the Tommies. Ben McClellan leads the team in goals with 10, and he has to have a good series for the Auggies to thrive. This one will probably end in a split. St. Thomas 4-1, Augsburg 3-2

Friday-Saturday, Feb. 15-16

St. John’s vs. Bethel
The Johnnies are in a position to nail down the championship. They are coming off a sweep of St. Olaf and are playing with a lot of confidence. The Johnnies are 7-4-3 in league play and in second place, but a sweep of the Royals would give them a shot at the championship. St. John’s will have to earn a split to make sure it has a spot in the conference tournament, and its success hinges on how well it plays on defense. The Johnnies are allowing 1.97 goals per game, and have averaged nearly three per game (2.87). Saxton Soley has become one of the top young goalies in the league, having allowed only 29 goals. If he performs at a high level and the experienced defensemen in front of him do their job, the Johnnies are going to have a chance to sweep this series. Bethel is 6-8 in the conference, and will be looking to play spoiler. The Royals have lost their last three games, scoring only six goals during the streak, and if they are going to get a win in this series, it’s most likely to come on their home ice in the series opener. Mitch Hughes, who has scored 13 goals and tallied 11 assists, will need to have a monster weekend for the Royals to have a chance at success. It won’t be easy. St. John’s 4-2, 6-2

St. Olaf vs. Gustavus Adolphus
The Oles control their own destiny, as they sit atop the conference standings with a 9-5 record. St. Olaf already has a playoff berth wrapped up, but if it wants to guarantee a conference title, it needs to sweep this series. The Oles will be trying to snap a three-game losing streak when they play the opener of this series on the road. They need to get on track offensively, though, to make that happen. The Oles have scored only three goals during the losing streak, and their key to success hinges on how well Jeff Harris plays. Harris leads the Oles in scoring with 16 goals. If Harris plays well and Henrik Wood comes up big in goal, the Oles will put themselves in a position to win the title. Gustavus Adolphus is still in the championship hunt as well. The Gusties are 7-5-2 in conference play, and could win the title with a sweep of the Oles. Gustavus has won its last four, so momentum is on its side. Jack Walsh recorded a hat trick last weekend and has 10 goals on the season. If he can turn in another solid effort, the Gusties will win at least one of these games. Gustavus Adolphus 5-3, St. Olaf 4-3

Concordia at St. Mary’s
Concordia faces the daunting task of going on the road to play two games, and a lot is riding on the weekend for the Cobbers. Concordia is 8-6 in the league and is holding onto a playoff spot at the moment. The Cobbers have played well lately, winning three in a row, and have been one of the best offensive teams in the league, having scored 70 goals. If they get on a roll offensively early, they will be tough to deal with. Jordie Bancroft has played a pivotal role in the offensive success, punching in 11 goals and dishing out 10 assists. The Cardinals, who are 6-7-1 in the conference, have had a tough time down the stretch, winning only one of their last six, and they probably have to win both games to earn a playoff berth. St. Mary’s will need to revive its offense if it’s going to win this weekend. The Cardinals have been blanked twice during their rough stretch, and that will have to change if they want to beat the Cobbers. Mike Hill has had a stellar season, scoring 17 goals and tallying 11 assists, and if he can come up big, the Cardinals have a chance to salvage their season. St. Mary’s 3-2, Concordia 6-3

With just a little over a week and a half to go, the MASCAC race for first place is about to get more exciting.

It looks like right now, the Plymouth State Panthers and Westfield State Owls will battle it out for first and second place. With some help, either the Owls or Panthers could lock up that top spot soon.

On the other hand, if it goes south for the Owls, Massachusetts-Dartmouth is right there to try and claim the number two spot.

This should be a good week, with six conference games on the docket.

Oh yeah, Happy Valentine’s Day!

Let’s take a look at the picks.

Thursday, Feb. 14

Fitchburg State Falcons (9-11-2) at Mass.-Dartmouth Corsairs (8-7-6)
Both teams are playing strong hockey right now. Mass.-Dartmouth is coming off a big win over Salem State and a tie with Westfield State, while Fitchburg went 1-1, which included a 4-0 shutout over Worcester State. The Corsairs are peaking at the right time, and think it may be the sign of good things to come. I like the Corsairs in a close one. Mass.-Dartmouth 4-2

Worcester State Lancers (6-14-2) at Plymouth State Panthers (16-6-0)
Plymouth State, which should be ranked in my opinion, cannot afford to take the Lancers lightly. I called it earlier that Worcester State may play spoiler; however, the Panthers have too much riding on this one. This contest is at Plymouth State, and is a good tune up for the Panthers before the playoffs. Panthers all the way. Plymouth State 6-2

Westfield State Owls (13-6-3) at Salem State Vikings (10-11-1)
Game of the week right in the MASCAC. Westfield State, like Plymouth State, has a lot riding on this one, as it looks to jump over the Panthers in the standings. Owls coach Bob Miele will have his team amped up for this one. The Vikings though, need this one badly as well. This will be back and forth all night. I can see this coming down to the wire; maybe a little overtime, perhaps? Westfield State 5-4 (OT)

Picks to date: 25-9-6 (56 points)

Snowed out
Franklin Pierce’s series at Canton on Friday and Saturday was canceled due to the snowstorm that blanketed the East Coast this weekend. On Saturday, Nichols-Curry, Elmira-Manhattanville, Fitchburg State-Assumption, Bowdoin-Trinity, Colby-Wesleyan, and Worcester State-Framingham State were all pre-empted by continuing adverse weather conditions.

Deuces wild game-winners
Brad McBride scored twice, including the game-winner, as No. 5 Hobart raced out to a four-goal first-period lead and held on for a 4-3 win over No. 13 Manhattanville. Andrew Kolb had two goals and the winner in Wisconsin-Stevens Point’s 8-3 shellacking of Wisconsin-Stout.

Brandon Nowakowski scored St. Scholastica’s first two goals in its 3-0 blanking of No. 4 Wisconsin Eau-Claire, while Cody Keefer included the game-winner among his two scores in No. 6 St. Norbert’s 4-1 victory at Wisconsin-Stout. Dean Niezgoda scored two goals for No. 1 Norwich, including the third-period winner, in a 4-3 win over Skidmore on Sunday.

Buzzer beaters
Justin Basso recorded the game-winner with 1:15 to go on Saturday as No. 7 Adrian survived, 6-5, after host Concordia (Wis.) had rallied from a 5-1 deficit with four straight third-period scores.

Billy Pascalli assisted on the game-tying goal for host Potsdam with four seconds remaining in regulation against Brockport on Friday, before winning it 2:17 into overtime. Potsdam then withstood a tying goal by No. 14 Geneseo the next night with just 1:44 left in the third period, before the Bears’ Kenny Simon connected 40 seconds into the extra session for another 4-3 Potsdam win.

One-Two-Three  
Zach Graham notched the hat trick, including the game-winning goal, for Adrian in the Bulldogs’ 6-1 triumph at Concordia (Wis.). Geoff Shewmake tallied three goals in Wisconsin-River Falls’ 7-5 win at St. Scholastica, while Jack Walsh did likewise for Gustavus Adolphus in a 5-2 win over Saint Mary’s. Jackson Brewer tallied three goals and added an assist in Trinity’s 7-2 win over Colby on Sunday, and Andrew White lit the lamp three times in Tufts’ 6-4 triumph over Hamilton.

Helping trios
Mike Montrose tallied three assists in Finlandia’s 5-1 triumph over Lawrence, while Mike Zanella equaled that feat in Buffalo State’s 8-1 win over Cortland, and Mark Lyons did the same as No. 13 Williams topped Middlebury, 6-2. Peter LaFosse followed suit in No. 8 Utica’s 7-1 win over Nazareth, while Daniel Hildebrandt did likewise in Augsburg’s 9-4 win over Bethel.

Zachary Lombardi’s three assists came in Trinity’s 7-2 win against Colby, while Andrew Kurlandski took part in three of No. 10 Amherst’s four goals in a 4-2 victory at Connecticut College. Dana Borges set up all three Stonehill scores in a 5-3 loss to Southern New Hampshire, while Ben Kravitz assisted on three of Babson’s six goals in a 6-4 victory at the University of New England.

Senior scoring prowess
There’s something to be said for experience, at least scoring-wise so far this season in the NCAA Division III men’s hockey ranks. The top six scorers in the nation heading into Sunday’s games were all seniors.

No. 2 Oswego’s torrid twosome of senior forwards Paul Rodrigues and Luke Moodie are both still ranked in the top 10 skaters in Division III scoring, but the overall points producer to date has been Branden Parkhouse, a senior forward at Becker (Mass.), which was idle this past weekend. The California native has tallied 22 goals and 16 assists for 38 points through his first 22 games this year with the Hawks, and also leads the nation in total goals, 17 of which have come at even-strength.

Rodrigues is second nationally with 14 goals and 37 points, and Moodie is sixth with 16 goals and 35 points. Parkhouse’s teammate David Graham is fourth with 16 goals and 36 points, and senior Kyle Stroh of St. Norbert is tied for second with 17 goals and 37 points. Fitchburg State senior Joseph Caveney, meanwhile, holds the national lead with 24 assists.

Chris Kaleta of Cortland and Frank Salituro of Hobart, both senior forwards, lead the nation with nine power-play goals apiece, while senior forward Adam Bevilacqua of Cortland is pacing all of Division III with four short-handed scores.

Man advantage, man down
As far as special teams, Adrian is first overall with a power play that is clicking at 32.5 percent (38-of-117). The Bulldogs are also averaging 5.04 total goals per game, also the best in the nation. Two-time defending national champion St. Norbert is second nationally with the man advantage, converting at 29.2 percent (38-of-130).

Amherst has the nation’s top penalty-killing unit at 90.4 percent (66-of-73), with No. 9 Plattsburgh just behind at 90.1 percent (73-of-81). Cortland has scored nine times while skating a man down, the best mark in the nation, along with Plymouth State. As for total goals against, No. 1 Norwich has allowed just 1.64 goals per outing.

The most heavily-penalized team in the nation so far is Johnson and Wales, which was averaging 25.05 penalty minutes per game (187-for-551) through its first 22 outings.

Focus on the gatekeepers
Sophomore goaltender David Jacobson of St. Norbert and senior Andrew Hare of Oswego lead all Division III netminders with five shutouts apiece, while junior Benjamin Coulthard of Trinity has the top save percentage (.942), and junior Scott Lewan of Wisconsin-River Falls is No. 1 in total minutes played (1500:45).

Junior goaltender Chris Czarnota of Norwich has the nation’s best goals-against average at 1.65, and was also 10-1-0 through his first 11 appearances. Junior goalie Nick Therrien of No. 8 Utica is 17-3-0 overall, and first overall in victories.

40-plus saves
Brian Phillips made 42 saves for Tufts in a 6-4 victory over Hamilton on Sunday, after Ed Zdolshek stopped 41 shots in Nazareth’s 5-2 loss to Utica on Saturday.

Still going strong
The only undefeated Division III team in conference play to date is Adrian, which has gone 15-0-3 in the MCHA. Concerning overall records, Adrian (19-1-3) has just one loss to date, and is undefeated in its last 10 outings (10-0-3). Norwich (20-2-0) and No. 3 Bowdoin (17-2-3) have just two setbacks apiece so far this season.

First off, congratulations to the Adrian Bulldogs! They are once again the MCHA regular season champions, as they clinched their sixth consecutive title in a win and tie against Lake Forest last weekend.

There are only two more weekends of the regular season left to play, and currently my season total picks are at a 48-38-5 (.539) record. Last week, I went 5-2-1 (.625) with my predictions, not bad.

This week, Concordia will be hosting Adrian. Lake Forest and Milwaukee School of Engineering will be playing a home-and-home series, Marian will travel to Northland, and Lawrence is on the road at Finlandia.

Friday-Saturday Feb. 8-9

Adrian at Concordia
The Bulldogs (13-0-3) are coming off a weekend that included a 6-1 victory before tying Lake Forest, 3-3, the following day. Concordia (6-10-0) is just two points out of the playoffs in the South Division, and was swept by MSOE last weekend with matching 3-1 losses. The Falcons are on a six-game losing skid. Adrian took two from Concordia earlier this season. Adrian 4-1, 3-1

Lake Forest vs MSOE
Lake Forest (6-8-2) had its five-game win streak snapped last weekend, as Adrian beat them, 6-1, before a hard-battled 3-3 tie on Sunday afternoon. MSOE (10-5-1) swept Concordia over the weekend. The Raiders hold a firm second place spot in the standings. Lake Forest will want to further the two-point distance from the bottom spot in the South Division. Lake Forest 3-1, MSOE 4-2

Marian at Northland
Northland (6-10-0) will be hosting Marian (9-7-0) this weekend. The Lumberjacks split a series with Finlandia over the weekend with an 11-4 victory on Friday night and a 3-2 loss on Saturday. Marian swept past Lawrence with 3-1 and 3-2 scores. Marian swept Northland earlier in the season, and Northland has only had two victories at home this season. Marian 3-1, Northland 3-2

Lawrence at Finlandia
Lawrence (5-9-2) was swept by Marian, with 3-2 and 3-1 final scores. The Vikings haven’t won consecutive games since Nov. 30-Dec.1, when they took two from Finlandia. Finlandia (5-11-0) split with Northland last weekend. After an 11-4 loss on Friday, they came back for a 3-2 victory on Saturday. The Lions are only two points behind the Vikings. Finlandia 3-2, Lawrence 2-1