Game of the Week
Without the benefit of a mark-your-calendar game from the preview, combined with a slew of games that will play a key role in the standings, this is a tough week to pick just one game of the week. There are a trio which are obvious contenders.
If I really had to pick one, perhaps it would be Geneseo at Plattsburgh on Saturday. Before Friday’s game, they are tied for second place along with Buffalo State, one point behind Oswego. Both these teams are the lowest-penalized teams in the conference — 7.5 penalty minutes per game for Plattsburgh, 10.8 for Geneseo. Thus, special teams will not play a factor.
Goaltending will play a factor, and despite some of their recent play, I still like Geneseo’s goaltending over Plattsburgh’s. Thus, I’m picking the Ice Knights.
Cortland going up against Buffalo State on Friday will be a key contest for the Red Dragons, as will their game against Fredonia. Grab some points from the Western New York trip, and suddenly you’re in the playoff hunt.
The game is just as important for the home teams, as they need points to keep pace with those above them. I’ll take the home teams in both games against Cortland.
Other Picks
My perfect record in conference picks was blown to smithereens thanks to last week’s crazy results. Thus, I went 4-3-1. The one nonconference selection kept me over .500. The running total for the season is 18-5-2 (.760).
I’ll take the road team in the other Western N.Y. games, with Oswego winning both. Yet, strong goaltending by Mark Friesen could allow Fredonia to pull an upset.
“How exciting is that?” Fredonia coach Jeff Meredith said. “You have the number one ranked team in the country coming into your building. That’s a great challenge. You have to take and make the most of your challenges.”
That was said before Oswego fell to No. 2 in the USCHO.com poll, but it will still be exciting for Blue Devils’ fans.
Plattsburgh will beat Brockport, and though the Golden Eagles will take a strong run at Potsdam, I think the Bears’ speed will help them prevail.
Geneseo will be going to Plattsburgh after a win in Potsdam. One surefire prediction is Geneseo will start Adrian Rubeniuk against Potsdam.
Lastly, a nonconference game is played on Tuesday, with Cortland traveling to Hamilton. Going against Cortland in a nonconference game this year is risky, but I will pick Hamilton
