Coaches always love when their teams bounce back from adverse events. My results from last weekend were clearly a bounce back as I finished 6-2-0 (.750), which brings the season total to 15-8-1 (.646). This week brings some great Thanksgiving tournament action, as well as some very intriguing nonconference games. Coaches, make sure your players go easy on the turkey; teams need to be amped for these games.Here is my slate of picks for the weekend, and best wishes to all for a Happy Thanksgiving!Friday, Nov. 25Brockport at TuftsThe Jumbos are off to a 2-0 start, but face a stern test in a contending SUNYAC club. Tufts has been stingy defensively and scored some timely goals, and the third one here is an empty-netter to seal the deal. Tufts 3- 1Massachusetts-Boston at UticaWhat a high-octane game this is going to be in a great environment for a college hockey game. The Pioneers are one of just two unbeaten teams remaining in D-III and at home they will eke out another win against a talented Beacons squad. Utica 5-4Saturday, Nov. 26Wentworth at New England CollegeThe Pilgrims have very quietly gone about their business in getting off to a solid start to the season. Goalie Brett Kilar has been a workhorse from the first drop of the puck and he is the difference in this one where the margin for error is very small. New England College 3-2Williams at BabsonAnother terrific matchup amongst top teams from NESCAC and NEHC, where the flow of the game and speed on display should be a joy to watch. The Beavers have a few more games under their belts at this point of the season and already seem to have the team defense and opportune scoring formula dialed in. I would actually pick a tie through overtime but lean toward the home team for the win. Babson 3-2Geneseo at BowdoinThe Knights visit the Polar Bears and this may be the game with the most intrigue of all. Geneseo can score in bunches, but has struggled defensively early in the season. Bowdoin is just out of the gates and will need to ramp up against last season’s Frozen Four team. The visitors have just too much firepower. Geneseo 4-3Connecticut College at SkidmoreThe Thoroughbreds aren’t sneaking up on anyone down the backstretch and the Camels best find a way to get on top early or suffer the consequences of facing a very confident hockey team. Skidmore 3-2Sunday, Nov. 27Endicott at AssumptionThis game is one of the more interesting nonconference games as the Gulls look to get a string of wins going while Assumption is still looking for a consistent 60-minute performance. Too much balance for the visitors in this one. Endicott 5-3Nichols at ElmiraThe start of the season has been a tough one for Elmira and a disciplined Nichols team isn’t an easy way to stop the slide of a 1-7 record. Elmira is a very young team while Nichols has more experience. Experience wins out here, but barely. Nichols 5-3It’s not just a turkey buffet this weekend, it is a smorgasbord of great holiday tournament traditions and terrific nonconference matchups, so why not enjoy both!! Get out to see a game locally or support a tournament in your area; you just may be surprised at what you have been missing. “Drop the puck!”
