ECAC Northeast picks: Jan. 25

Suffolk coach Chris Glionna entered this season with some optimism. After a year to forget last season, he knew the Rams had some spunk, some spirit, and, more importantly, some motivation to right the wrongs.
As the ECAC Northeast heads for its homestretch, Suffolk is well on its way to doing just that. A 5-5 tie vs. Johnson and Wales on Wednesday night gave the Rams a 3-2-2 mark in the league and eight points. When they woke up on Thursday morning, they were tied for first place with four other teams.
Standings aside, this time of year is more about how you’re playing, and Suffolk is getting there. Headed into Saturday’s tilt at Becker, the Rams were 2-1-2 in their previous five games, and the confidence was continuing to snowball.
What good teams do nowadays — during crunch time — is beat teams that they’re supposed to. Something tells us that Glionna will have that entrenched in the hearts and minds of the Rams on Saturday, when they face a Hawks team that is winless in conference. Suffolk 3-2
Saturday, Jan. 26
Wentworth at Salve Regina
The coaches around the league have been waiting for Wentworth to get in gear, and it appears the Leopards are slowly starting to gel. While they only had won three of their last five headed into Thursday’s action, Wentworth was also coming off an impressive 3-1 win over Curry on Sunday that could inspire them the rest of the way. A weekend contest at Salve Regina will be sure to have the Leopards’ attention, especially since Wentworth was a part of that first-place logjam this week. Wentworth 4-3
Tuesday, Jan. 29
Curry at New England College
The Pilgrims have struggled to find their footing this year, and this is a perfect opportunity for the Colonels to pounce. A midweek, non-league game that can really allow Curry to mix and match, and build some momentum? Just what the doctor ordered. Curry 5-2
Last week: 1-2; Overall: 21-14-1.