Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!
What are we thankful for? Overtime games and ties, apparently. There were plenty of those last week in a league that seems to filled with parity but not necessarily a lot of goals. Perhaps that will change this weekend. Perhaps we should pick all ties and see if we come out any better. Since Bemidji State and Alabama Huntsville are playing a Wednesday-Friday series, we have to go to the picks a bit early.
Here we go …
Bemidji State at Alabama Huntsville
Shane: These are two teams looking hard for wins. The two teams have combined for just one win in the month of November, and it will be interesting to see how a week somewhat disruptive to the normal schedule affects them. Chargers 3-1, Beavers 2-1
Jack: The league already hates our deadlines, it seems, and now they continue that trend with this weird Wednesday/Friday series. (Long story short but we print early today.) But because the internet has no deadlines, we get a chance to analyze said series right here. The Beavers have struggled at home so maybe this road trip will be good for them. I think the Chargers may be more used to the weird schedule, but what do I know? I think this is a split. Chargers 2-1, Beavers 3-2
Northern Michigan at Bowling Green
Shane: The Falcons got their six-game homestand off to a good start with a sweep over Huntsville last week, while the Wildcats tied Minnesota State twice at home where they have yet to be beaten. Now Northern goes on the road. I like the home team here. Falcons 3-2, 3-1
Jack: The Falcons are also unbeaten at home, where they have only played five games prior to this weekend. I think that trend continues, but because they’re playing NMU, one or both of these games will likely go to overtime. Falcons 3-2, 3-2
Ferris State at Lake Superior State
Shane: We’re starting to learn not to take this year’s Lakers team lightly, and I won’t even against this improved Bulldogs team. I do worry about Lake State’s record at home, where it has won just once, but they’ll get one this weekend. Bulldogs 4-2, Lakers 3-2
Jack: The Lakers do seem to be better way from the Soo than they are there, but I think that 3-point weekend against the Beavers in Bemidji gave them some momentum. I think they’ll get one here too. Lakers 4-2, Bulldogs 4-3
Alaska Anchorage at Minnesota State
Shane: After a strong start, the Seawolves have slipped a bit and now begin a tough stretch in the Lower 48, where wins have been rare. The Mavericks have not been as dominant at home as they have been the last two years and want that to change. It will this weekend. Mavericks 4-2, 3-1
Jack: The Seawolves didn’t play as well last weekend against Penn State as I was thinking they would. Meanwhile, MSU has also had three consecutive two-point weekends (two ties last weekend followed two splits). I think the Seawolves can steal one here. Mavericks 4-2, Seawolves 3-2
Michigan Tech at Alaska
Shane: The Huskies head to Alaska for a one-weekend trip, while the Nanooks are thrilled to be playing just their fifth and sixth home games of the year. Sounds like a split to me. Nanooks 4-3, Huskies 5-2
Jack: I’m agreed on the idea of a split. I’d agree to just about anything after last weekend’s tie-stravaganza. Nanooks 2-1, Huskies 4-2
Last week: Shane 4-1-7, Jack 3-2-7. Overall: Shane 37-28-17, Jack 36-29-17
