West picks: Jan. 5

Friday, Jan. 5

Gustavus Adolphus at Wisconsin-Eau Claire
The Gusties are playing the Blugolds for the 17th time and are looking to maintain momentum after losing just once in their last seven games. Caleb Anderson has been phenomenal, scoring nine points. He has the most points of any freshman in the MIAC and leads the team in points as well. The Blugolds are aiming to bounce back after two losses in a row. Jake Hopfner has 13 points and has scored four goals off the power play. Wis.-Eau Claire 5-3

Saint Mary’s at Wisconsin-Superior
The Cardinals are looking to end a three-game winless streak. Getting their offense going will be key as they have managed only 26 goals. Jared Johnson and Jack Stang have tallied four goals apiece to pace the offense. The Yellow Jackets are paced by Daniel Litchke, who has come through with seven goals and seven assists. Wis.-Superior is 4-4 at home this season. Saint Mary’s 3-2

Concordia at No. 5 Wisconsin-Stevens Point
The Cobbers need to be on top of their game defensively. They have leaned on two goalies this season in Jacob Stephan and Sam Nelson. The two have combined for six wins and have stopped nearly 91 percent of the shots they have faced. The Pointers feature one of the best offenses in the nation and have won three consecutive games. Tanner Karty leads the offense with 10 goals and 15 assists. The Pointers have given up only 29 goals. Wis.-Stevens Point 5-2

Lawrence at Milwaukee School of Engineering
The Vikings are eager to start the second half strong after winning just five games in the first half. Lane King is having a solid season, tallying six goals and 17 assists. Evan Cline has made 352 saves. MSOE has a solid goalie in its own right in Zach Woodman, who has won six games and has allowed only 13 goals. Brett Wagner has scored five goals. MSOE 5-3

Marian at Concordia
The Sabres have won two in a row and are impressive away from home with a 4-1 road record. Derek Thorogood has been key to the team’s success, scoring seven goals and dishing out nine assists. The Falcons won eight games in the first half of the season behind the play of Josh Adkins and Dante Hahn. Both tallied 13 points apiece. They are 5-1-1 at home. Concordia 4-3

Friday-Saturday, Jan. 5-6

No. 15 Augsburg at Hamline
After a hot start, the Auggies have cooled off big time, dropping their last five. They kick off a two-game series against the Pipers at home and hope a new year means a new streak. Augsburg has scored 46 goals and is led by Nate Flynn, who has come through with eight goals and seven assists. The Pipers are playing their first game in their new arena Saturday night, and they will be pumped up for it. A new atmosphere could help Hamline snap out of a six-game winless streak. Augsburg 5-3, Hamline 3-2

Saturday, Jan. 6

Gustavus Adolphus at Wisconsin-River Falls
Evan Erickson is the top goal scorer for the Gusties, punching in five goals, and he’ll try to help improve to 3-2-1 in the last six meetings against the Falcons. A total of 17 Gusties have scored at least one goal this season. Wis.-River Falls is having a tough year, winning only four games so far, but it has several scoring threats, including Cayden Cahill and Peter Karavos, who have combined for 10 goals and are two of the top scoring freshman in the WIAC. Gustavus Adolphus 4-3

Concordia at Wisconsin-Eau Claire
The Cobbers have been strong offensively, cranking out 39 goals, including eight from Zach Doerring. The Blugolds have gotten a solid effort from Camden Haugenoe, who has started 10 games in his first season and has saved nearly 90 percent of the shots he has faced. Wis.-Eau Claire 5-4

No. 1 St. Norbert at Lake Forest
The Green Knights are coming off their first loss and eager to bounce back. T.J. Black will need to be on top of his game. He comes in with a 1.29 goals-against average and has given up only 17 goals this season. The Foresters are in dire need of a win after dropping their last three. Joe Sardina has scored seven goals to pace the Lake Forest offense. St. Norbert 4-1