It’s that time of the week again – pick six games from the two conferences (including the conference crossover games) and make our best predictions. However, each week’s picks come with a little statistical analysis, and this week’s match-ups even come with a few wrinkles – both hockey and non-hockey. Will those factor into the games at all? Last week, I went 4-1 (.800), and improved to 7-6 (.538) on the season.
ECAC Northeast
Western New England at Curry, 4:35 p.m. Saturday
Shots, shots, shots. Curry has scored 14 goals on 76 shots in its first two games, while Western New England has scored 11 goals in its first three games, averaging more than 35 shots a game. A minor distraction: Western New England’s football team, on the same day, is playing at Salisbury (Md.) in a first-round game of the Division III national championship tournament. Pick: Curry 4-2
Salve Regina at Suffolk, 7 p.m. Saturday
After last weekend’s 10-2 drubbing by Curry, the Seahawks must right the ship, but do so against Suffolk, a team that’s also in need of an early-season win. The Rams gave up 16 goals in their first two losses at the Pepperidge Farm tournament last weekend.
Pick: Suffolk 5-3
Johnson and Wales at Wentworth, 2 p.m. Sunday
Wentworth forward Casey Shade has opened the season on a tear — in his first three games, the senior has scored four goals and an assist. However, Johnson and Wales has its own scoring threat in junior forward Danny Kaufmann, who has scored four of the Wildcats’ six power-play goals. Pick: Wentworth 3-2
MASCAC
Worcester State at Fitchburg State, 4 p.m. Saturday
Travis Bertolotti and Thomas McAleer each averaged a point a game in Fitchburg State’s first three games, and were two of seven different players to score goals for Fitchburg State in that stretch. A pair of sophomore goalies have backstopped Worcester State in the early part of the season – Bryan Kalczynski and Taylor Fant. Pick: Fitchburg State 3-2
Salem State at Massachusetts-Dartmouth, 4:30 p.m. Saturday
Salem State came off a 10-day layoff entering Thursday’s game at home against Fitchburg State, and quickly had to shake off the rust; the Vikings will play their second game in three days when they face the Corsairs. Phil Bronner leads Mass.-Dartmouth with four goals and an assist in its first three games. Pick: Salem State 4-1
Westfield State at Framingham State, 7:30 p.m. Saturday
Scoring hasn’t been a struggle for Westfield State in its first four games — being outscored and outshot was the struggle in the early part of the season. The Owls’ first four opponents held an advantage of 155-105 in shots, and outscored the Owls 16-11. Pick: Westfield State 5-1
