Round two of making picks has arrived for me, and I guess I can’t complain too much about how the first week went for me. I went 4-4 in the eight weekend games I picked, and the jury is still out on how my pick for the Thursday night game between St. Thomas and St. John’s will turn out, but I can take comfort in knowing that I won’t do any worse than one game below .500.
My goal this time around is to finish with a winning record. Only time will tell if I can make it happen.
Friday, Nov. 9
St. Olaf at Concordia
The Oles have been competitive in the early going, but have given up 20 more shots than they have taken in their four games. The Cobbers have added confidence after knocking off St. Thomas last Friday, and they nearly overcame a four-goal deficit against Wisconsin-Stout. Concordia will prevail in a close one. Concordia 4-3
Hamline at St. Mary’s
St. Mary’s has been a little up and down, but when it has won, it has been very productive offensively, scoring 12 goals in their two wins. The Cardinals will be up against a Pipers team that has been competitive, but has yet to win a game. The edge goes to the Cardinals. St. Mary’s 5-2
St. John’s at St. Thomas
This will be the second meeting between the two teams, and this time the Johnnies will be on the road. St. John’s has been a little more productive on offense, having scored 10 goals this year, and since I picked St. Thomas to win the first game, I’ll pick the Johnnies in an upset on the road. St. John’s 3-1
Augsburg at Wisconsin-Stout
Augsburg has struggled against the two Wisconsin schools it has played already, losing both games, although the Auggies did only fall to St. Norbert by a goal. But the Blue Devils are at home and should nail down a win. Wisconsin-Stout 4-2
Saturday, Nov. 10
Bethel at Gustavus Adolphus
Gustavus is one of the top teams in the nation, and while its offense is still figuring things out, the goaltending has been solid and Bethel won’t be able to score enough to knock off the Gusties on the road. Gustavus Adolphus 4-1
St. Mary’s at Hamline
The Cardinals will cap off a sweep of this two-game series against the Pipers, who won’t have an answer for St. Mary’s offense. St. Mary’s 3-0
St. Olaf at Concordia
The Oles will get revenge in the final game of this weekend series, but getting the win won’t be easy. It will be close, and while I won’t be surprised if the Cobbers win, I’ll give the edge to the Oles. St. Olaf 2-1
Tuesday, Nov. 13
St. Thomas at Wisconsin Stout
The luck Wis.-Stout has had against MIAC schools will end in this game. The Tommies will get their offense going early and pass a key test on the road. St. Thomas 4-1
Thursday, Nov. 15
St. John’s at Augsburg
The Auggies will compete hard. That much is for certain, but the Johnnies appear to be the better team and they will play solid on both ends of the ice in the victory. St. John’s 3-0
