While no ranked teams play other ranked teams this weekend, don’t expect the competition to be on the light side.

In fact, with all conferences on the ice, fans of D-III women’s hockey have reason to celebrate this weekend.

As always, USCHO Women’s Editor Candace Horgan and USCHO Women’s Writer Matt Mackinder do their best to pick the games they deem important on this weekend’s docket.

Friday, Nov. 20

Salve Regina at No. 7 Norwich
Candace: Salve is hot, but Norwich is Norwich. Norwich 3-1
Matt: While Salve is 4-1-0 and unranked, that could sure change with a win over Norwich. I’m a sucker for picking upsets, so let’s do that here. Salve Regina 3-2

Friday, Nov. 20

No. 4 Adrian at St. Scholastica
Candace: Adrian should rebound from its last disappointing outing. Adrian 4-2
Adrian: St. Scholastica is 3-2-0 after sweeping St. Norbert last weekend and Adrian proved it was mortal last weekend by losing to Lake Forest. Both teams have something to prove here, but it’s St. Scholastica with a hard-fought 5-3 win that is iced on a late empty-netter.

Friday-Saturday

Stevenson at Endicott
Candace: I love home ice for these picks. Endicott 2-1, 2-1
Matt: The battle of the unbeaten as both teams are 6-0-0 heading into this weekend series. Endicott goalie Vendela Jonsson is 4-0-0 and has yet to even allow a goal so far. What gives here? I say Stevenson dents the armor with a 2-1 win Friday before Endicott regroups for a 3-0 win Saturday, yes, with Jonsson getting the goose egg.

Friday-Saturday

Trinity at No. 5 Middlebury
Candace: A classic NESCAC game goes to the home team. Middlebury 3-2, 2-1
Matt: Middlebury and Trinity have yet to play a game this season, but will get after it this weekend. It’d be easy to call a split here with both teams probably working out opening-night kinks, and that works for me. Friday, it’s Trinity 4-2 and then Saturday, same score, reverse the teams.