What a show Ferris State and Michigan put on Wednesday night! It was exactly what a match between Nos. 3 and 4 should be — and contained exactly the kind of passion befitting a longstanding rivalry.
So, Drew picked Ferris State and I picked Michigan … and they tied. Here’s how we’re doing so far, including Wednesday’s game.
Last week
Drew: 3-0-2 (.800)
Paula: 3-0-2 (.800)
Season
Drew: 46-20-6 (.681)
Paula: 48-19-6 (.699)
This week
The first half of the season comes down to this weekend, a single nonconference game and one nonconference series.
Colorado College at Wisconsin
Drew: With the amount of experience on Wisconsin’s roster, you have to believe that the Badgers will get on a roll eventually. Before last weekend’s win and tie with Omaha, the Tigers weren’t playing well, and that’s putting it nicely. CC went 12 games without getting a victory; the Tigers were 0-10-2 during that run. They have been struggling to put the puck in the back of the net all season and are 0-6-1 on the road this year. Advantage Bucky.
Paula: When these teams were WCHA rivals last year, the Tigers took two regular-season games from the Badgers while Wisconsin had the last laugh, eliminating Colorado College from the WCHA Final Five en route to the WCHA postseason championship. The teams have met a total of 184 times and the Badgers lead the series 109-66-9. Friday’s game begins at 6:30 p.m., Saturday’s at 7:00.
Drew’s picks: Wisconsin 3-0, 5-1.
Paula’s picks: Wisconsin, 3-1, 3-2.
Ferris State at Michigan State
Drew: On Wednesday Paula picked Michigan over Ferris State. I picked Ferris State over Michigan. Of course, we both managed to be wrong. The Spartans hung with Minnesota last weekend, but only because their goaltender was a brick wall. Unfortunately, I don’t see lightning striking in consecutive weekends for Jake Hildebrand and Michigan State.
Paula: I don’t think it was Hildebrand that was the issue last weekend for the Spartans, who — by the way — finished the weekend on a high note. Their last-second goal against Minnesota in Saturday’s 3-2 loss buoyed them in ways that should carry through to a spirited game against their old CCHA rival, Ferris State. Last season, FSU was 3-1 against MSU. The Bulldogs are for real, for sure. The Spartans play hard, for sure. This should be a great contest. The puck drops at 7:00 p.m. Saturday, and I will be there. Merry Christmas to me!
Drew’s pick: Ferris State 3-1.
Paula’s pick: Bulldogs 4-2.
