Weekend picks: Feb. 16

Friday-Saturday, Feb. 16-17

Nichols at Morrisville
Morrisville is currently tied with Endicott atop the CHC, but Endicott has completed their regular season slate, so Morrisville needs any points from this series to take the regular season crown. They’ve had the best of this series of late, so they should sweep the weekend, but the pressure is on. Morrisville 5-1, 4-0

No. 9 St. Thomas at No. 10 Hamline
Hamline has the lead in the MIAC, but Gustavus Adolphus is just two points back is playing the last place team in the conference, so they’re likely to grab some points. St. Thomas, meanwhile, is on a self-imposed postseason ban, so while they’re currently third in the standings, they won’t factor into the conference playoffs. They split their regular-season series last year, but St. Thomas got a win in the playoffs. Hamline is at home and knows the stakes, so I think they get at least one here. Hamline 4-2, St. Thomas 5-3

St. Scholastica at Lake Forest
St. Scholastica is one point back from Adrian for the top spot in the league, while Lake Forest is just two points behind them. Adrian faces sixth place Marian, so if they want to move up, one of these two teams needs to sweep the weekend to even have a chance. Lake Forest swept their regular-season series last year and also won a game and the mini-game to beat St. Scholastica in the playoffs. Lake Forest just has so much offensive firepower that they’re difficult to slow down. I think Lake Forest sweeps at home. Lake Forest 4-3, 5-3

Connecticut College at Hamilton
The Camels currently sit second in the NESCAC, with Amherst two points back and Hamilton three points back. Hamilton will be looking to improve their postseason position, and Connecticut College will be looking to hold them off. Last season, the Camels won one, and they tied the other in this regular season series. I think we’ll see a split here, with Hamilton winning game one and Connecticut College winning game two. Hamilton 3-2, Connecticut College 4-3

Saturday, Feb. 17

No. 5 Wisconsin-River Falls at Wisconsin-Eau Claire
Wisconsin-River Falls already clinched the regular season title, and the postseason positions are set in the WIAC. Wisconsin-Eau Claire is tied in the standings with Wisconsin-Superior. Whoever comes out of the weekend with more points will get to host next weekend’s game. The Falcons beat the BluGolds earlier in the season, and the two teams tied last weekend. I think Wisconsin-Eau Claire has the extra bit on home ice and in need of a point. Wisconsin-Eau Claire 4-3