This is virtually the final weekend in the first half of the season for most teams, including a slate of conference and nonconference games to potentially go out feeling good about where teams are at in their level of play. Every coach who has a team playing well is wishing they can keep the momentum going, while others may be seeking the break to heal up and rest up before the stretch run in 2018. My picks last weekend were the worst of the entire season, as I finished at 2-5-1 (.313). That brings my season total to 30-16-4 (.640) which is below my targeted 70 percent threshold for success. One last week to push the percentage higher and feel good about the first half prognostications. Here are this week’s picks.
Thursday, Dec. 7
Franklin Pierce at Massachusetts Dartmouth
The Corsairs host this one, which means close quarters and some physicality in this nonconference affair. Mike Sones and Casey Shea have been very good, but Drew Michals is the difference in the win for the home team. Massachusetts Dartmouth 4-2
Friday, Dec. 8
Western New England at University of New England
A battle of “New Englands” finds two teams with a lot of offensive firepower, so fans should be entertained with the high level of skill and goals in this one. The Nor’easters tend to play much better at home than on the road, and this game is no exception. University of New England 6-5
No. 4 Oswego at Potsdam
The Bears have been more than just a pleasant first half surprise, and the Lakers have clearly reloaded with young talent that is maturing rapidly for coach Ed Gosek. Quietly, Dylan Vander Esch has become one of the nation’s best forwards, but Josh Zizek will show why he is in that class too. Oswego 3-2
King’s at Lebanon Valley
This game is a two-for-one affair with points counting not only in the UCHC, but also in the inaugural MAC for ice hockey. Look for the Flying Dutchmen to double dip against a team looking for its first win of the season. Lebanon Valley 5-2
No. 11 Hobart at No. 3 Trinity
The two-game set between these national powers will surely have the look and feel of a NCAA tournament game. Expect the games to be low-scoring, with a very slight advantage to the home team backed by Alex Morin in goal. Trinity 3-2
Saturday, Dec. 9
Neumann at No. 10 Utica
Neumann likes the view from the top of the UCHC standings, and Utica is trying to get up there with them. This game will go back and forth, but it’s the Pioneers that get the puck-luck and the two points for the win. Utica 4-3
Curry at Nichols
Overtime is all I can think about in this game. Not sure even I know why, but the Bison will be challenged by a tough Curry team and the physical nature of the game will keep the scoring chances down. Home team with the edge here after 60 full minutes are played. Nichols 3-2
Canton at Fredonia
The Blue Devils have been playing really good hockey and look to close out the first half in style against the Kangaroos. More offense for both teams than the coaches will be happy with, but a win for the SUNYAC team that looks to sweep the series on the final weekend of the first half. Fredonia 6-4
The semester break is nearly upon us, so this is the last weekend of play for most before finals and the holiday break sends teams apart before the New Year. Nothing feels better than a win to linger on — “Drop the Puck!”
This is virtually the final weekend in the first half of the season for most teams, including a slate of conference and nonconference games to potentially go out feeling good about where teams are at in their level of play. Every coach who has a team playing well is wishing they can keep the momentum going, while others may be seeking the break to heal up and rest up before the stretch run in 2018. My picks last weekend were the worst of the entire season, as I finished at 2-5-1 (.313). That brings my season total to 30-16-4 (.640) which is below my targeted 70 percent threshold for success. One last week to push the percentage higher and feel good about the first half prognostications. Here are this week’s picks.
Thursday, Dec. 7
Franklin Pierce at Massachusetts-Dartmouth The Corsairs host this one, which means close quarters and some physicality in this nonconference affair. Mike Sones and Casey Shea have been very good, but Drew Michals is the difference in the win for the home team. Massachusetts Dartmouth 4-2
Friday, Dec. 8
Western New England at University of New EnglandA battle of “New Englands” finds two teams with a lot of offensive firepower, so fans should be entertained with the high level of skill and goals in this one. The Nor’easters tend to play much better at home than on the road, and this game is no exception. University of New England 6-5
No. 4 Oswego at PotsdamThe Bears have been more than just a pleasant first half surprise, and the Lakers have clearly reloaded with young talent that is maturing rapidly for coach Ed Gosek. Quietly, Dylan Vander Esch has become one of the nation’s best forwards, but Josh Zizek will show why he is in that class too. Oswego 3-2
King’s at Lebanon ValleyThis game is a two-for-one affair with points counting not only in the UCHC, but also in the inaugural MAC for ice hockey. Look for the Flying Dutchmen to double dip against a team looking for its first win of the season. Lebanon Valley 5-2
No. 11 Hobart at No. 3 TrinityThe two-game set between these national powers will surely have the look and feel of a NCAA tournament game. Expect the games to be low-scoring, with a very slight advantage to the home team backed by Alex Morin in goal. Trinity 3-2
Saturday, Dec. 9
Neumann at No. 10 UticaNeumann likes the view from the top of the UCHC standings, and Utica is trying to get up there with them. This game will go back and forth, but it’s the Pioneers that get the puck-luck and the two points for the win. Utica 4-3
Curry at NicholsOvertime is all I can think about in this game. Not sure even I know why, but the Bison will be challenged by a tough Curry team and the physical nature of the game will keep the scoring chances down. Home team with the edge here after 60 full minutes are played. Nichols 3-2
Canton at FredoniaThe Blue Devils have been playing really good hockey and look to close out the first half in style against the Kangaroos. More offense for both teams than the coaches will be happy with, but a win for the SUNYAC team that looks to sweep the series on the final weekend of the first half. Fredonia 6-4
The semester break is nearly upon us, so this is the last weekend of play for most before finals and the holiday break sends teams apart before the New Year. Nothing feels better than a win to linger on — “Drop the Puck!”
