Shane here …
It’s the first weekend of November, and Jack and I are all square on our picks. I’d say great minds think alike, but you have to have some luck, too. For example, we both picked a split between Bowling Green and Alaska Anchorage last week but different winners on different days. Two losses for Shane; two wins for Jack. So it goes.
On to this weekend’s picks:
Minnesota State at Ferris State
Shane: Remember how this was going to be college hockey’s next great rivalry in the “new” WCHA? These two teams have played some exciting games, but the Mavericks have won them all, eight straight since the two became league foes. I think the Bulldogs will snap that streak this weekend, but the Mavericks will come home with points. Bulldogs 3-2, Mavericks 4-2
Jack: It’s still crazy to me that Ferris State has never beaten MSU — even CJ Motte couldn’t help them steal a win! So of course the Bulldogs would wait until after he leaves to win one. I agree with you that it happens this weekend. Bulldogs 4-2, Mavericks 5-3
Lake Superior State at Bowling Green
Shane: The Falcons survived a tough early schedule, playing six of their first seven games on the road and going 4-2-1. They’re home for a full weekend now and host a Lakers team that has shown some inconsistencies. Their two wins have been good, but their two losses at home to Huntsville last week were surprising. Falcons 4-1, 5-1
Jack: If the Lakers are going to struggle at home against Huntsville (who is obviously a much0improved team this year… but still), it’s hard to envision them winning one against Bowling Green this season. That said, Lake State has been aboe to put the puck in the net so I’m seeing two high-scoring affairs. Falcons 4-3, 5-4
Michigan Tech at Alabama Huntsville
Shane: The Huskies leave their home state for the first time after starting the season 3-3-0, all in conference play. Tech was really good away from Houghton last season, but the Chargers are riding high, too, after their sweep at Lake State. I wouldn’t be surprised to see a tie in here, but I’m going to call a close Tech sweep .Huskies 3-2, 4-2
Jack: I’m feeling pretty good about this Huntsville team, Shane. Yes, Tech is 8-0-0 against them all time but six of those were last year. And I don’t think the Huskies are quite the same dominant team this year as they were last year. I can see a split. Chargers 4-2, Huskies 3-2
Northern Michigan at Alaska
Shane: The Nanooks return home after dropping their first two conference games at Minnesota State and, while the Wildcats are leaving the Upper Peninsula first the first time since a season-opening series a Wisconsin. This feels like a split. Nanooks 3-2, Wildcats 2-1
Jack: I agree this feels like a split. The Wildcats had a scoreless tie before beating Bemidji State last week. The Nanooks were swept in Mankato. Still not sure what to make of either of these teams, so I’ll go with two points apiece. I wouldn’t be surprised by two ties. Wildcats 3-1, Nanooks 4-2
Last week: Shane 5-4-1, Jack 6-3-1. Overall: Shane 26-18-8, Jack 26-18-8
