Each player and each coach in the ECAC Northeast and MASCAC will acknowledge it at this time of the year: With the regular season turning from a matter of weeks into a matter of days, each point and each win is valuable. It’s that old adage about “controlling your own destiny.” Simply put — the best way to ensure your postseason standing is to win, instead of counting on others to help you.
I finished 4-1-1 last week in my picks, bringing my season record to 43-23-9. The surprise last week came last Saturday with Western New England’s 10-3 drubbing of first-place Curry.
ECAC Northeast
Curry at Nichols, 4:40 p.m. Saturday
Curry looks to bounce back from a 10-3 loss last weekend to Western New England, yet the Colonels still maintain first place in the ECAC Northeast, three points ahead of Johnson and Wales and Wentworth entering Thursday’s games. Nichols is still on a tear, having won six of its last seven games entering the weekend. Curry 5-3
Becker at Johnson and Wales, 6 p.m. Saturday
In its past eight games, Johnson and Wales is at .500 (4-4), but has done enough that, entering the weekend, the Wildcats are tied with Wentworth for second place in the ECAC Northeast, with the help of Wednesday’s 10-3 win at Western New England. Becker has lost its last two games (prior to Thursday’s game at Wentworth), and needs a win in order to remain in contention for a playoff spot. Johnson and Wales 4-2
Salve Regina at Western New England, 7:15 p.m.
In the past week, Western New England has been on both ends of the spectrum. The Golden Bears upset Curry, 10-3, last Saturday (Feb. 4), then lost 10-3 to Johnson and Wales on Wednesday. In fifth place in the ECAC Northeast, the Golden Bears have 11 wins, the most wins for the program in a season since 1999-2000. Western New England 4-1
MASCAC
Plymouth State at Salem State, 2 p.m. Saturday
Salem State coach Bill O’Neill is on the cusp of earning his 500th career win, yet Saturday’s contest between the Panthers and the Vikings could have first place on the line as Plymouth State entered the week in first place, one point ahead of Salem State. Plymouth State enters the weekend on a three-game winning streak. Salem State 3-2
Westfield State at Massachusetts-Dartmouth, 4:30 p.m. Saturday
While Worcester State upset Massachusetts-Dartmouth, 3-2, last Thursday (Feb. 2), the Corsairs are 7-3 since the start of the new year, prior to Thursday’s game against Salem State. Massachusetts-Dartmouth senior Mike Owens enters the weekend in a five-way tie for 10th among the nation’s leading scorers with 31 points (16 goals, 15 assists). Massachusetts-Dartmouth 4-2
Framingham State at Worcester State, 6:30 p.m. Saturday
Framingham State is 2-5 in the last three weeks and entered the week on a four-game losing streak. While the numbers say something, the Rams pushed Plymouth State in a 4-3 loss last Saturday, outshooting the Panthers 27-22 and cutting a 4-1 lead to 4-3 in the final 10 minutes of regulation. Sophomore forward Daniel Miressi leads the Rams with six goals and 13 assists. Framingham State 2-1
