With conference action taking hold, a number of intriguing matchups are featured this week Here’s our best guess on how things will transpire.
ECAC DIV III EAST
Friday Nov. 8
Plymouth State at Southern Maine
The Panthers take on their third consecutive road test in Gorham against the Huskies who used an early third period score to eke out a 1-0 win over University of New England. PSU has a modicum of experience in their defensive posture, led by senior Tasha Wyatt who got involved in the offensive picture as well with a power play goal. Southern Maine gets the nod on this one however based on the historically consistent play of junior goaltender Liz Bergstrom who garnered a 20-save whitewash in the opener.
Southern Maine 2-1
Saturday Nov 9
Salve Regina at Holy Cross
One of the potentially better match ups this weekend as both entities have the personnel to generate better than average offensive opportunities. The Cross returned 19 from a year ago. Salve’s power play operation needs to get better than the 1 for 11 numbers they put up in a 2-1 win over Neumann last week if they hope to topple HC on the road.
Holy Cross 4-3
Friday Nov 8, Saturday Nov 9
Norwich home and home with St. Michael’s
The Cadets are coming off a close- to- the- vest win over Elmira at the East-West Classic. St. Michael’s is taking baby steps in improving in its own end. Last season’s two game series was an offensive outburst for Norwich. Expect more of the same.
Norwich 7-0, 6-1
ECAC DIV III WEST
Friday Nov 8, Saturday Nov 9
Chatham at Buffalo State
Former assistant coach at Ohio State Candice Moxley gets her first look at her Bengals within the home ice environment. Sophomore Nikki Kirchberger led her club with eight goals a year ago expects to be at the forefront of the offensive efforts once again. Chatham took a lone conference win last season. Its first in the 2013-14 season will be a tough go.
Buffalo State 6-0, 3-1
Saturday Nov 9, Sunday Nov 10
Utica at Elmira
Utica home and home with Elmira
Elmira enters this weekend with an interesting East-West Classic under its belt. The Pioneers have a nice quartet of scoring up front led by Megan Myers but will need a collective full-tilt effort to slip by the Soaring Eagles.
Elmira 4-0, 6-2
Saturday Nov 9, Sunday Nov 10
Oswego at Potsdam
Oswego faces a pair of afternoon dates with a Potsdam team that was lit up by Plattsburgh 8-0 last Tuesday. The Bears, lacking a few key components to their defensive posture from last year’s roster will have to clamp down on a Lakers club that fired 98 shots through its first two outings. Playing in the newly renovated Maxy Ice Arena for the first time provides the home club with a shot of incentive in the opener-albeit not quite enough.
Oswego 4-3, 3-1
NCHA
Friday Nov 8, Saturday Nov 9
Marian at Adrian
NCHA player of the year Brittany Zeches has left a void for the Bulldogs in net however freshman Jade Walsh’s (.929 save percentage in two NC games) has promise. Adrian’s up front composure, still relatively young, prevails in the both showdowns.
Adrian 3-2, 2-0
Friday Nov 8, Saturday Nov 9
Lake Forest at St. Norbert
Goaltender Kaley Gibson posted a shutout last weekend while Rachel Koppang and Henriette Ostergaard combined for eight points in a two-victory weekend as the Green Knights waste no time in hoping to improve on their 18-10-2 overall campaign. Lake Forest’s split with Adrian at home signals that the Foresters might have a tough go away from home.
St. Norbet 3-2, 5-3
Friday Nov 8, Saturday Nov 9
Finlandia at St. Scholastica
The Lions managed only three goals in a deuce with Concordia to open. The Saints by contrast, can put points on the score sheet. The Waidacher sisters, Nina, Monika and freshman Isabel have quickly made they presence felt.
St. Scholastica 5-1, 4-0
