Friday-Saturday, Jan. 12-13
No. 8 St. Thomas vs. No. 4 Gustavus Adolphus (home-and-home)
Gustavus currently sits atop the MIAC with 10 points and St. Thomas is just one point behind. These two have played a close rivalry for years, and this one will be no different. Gustavus holds an all-time 28-14-5 record over St. Thomas, but the Tommies are 6-3-1 over the past 10 meetings spanning the past four seasons, including an OT win in the MIAC tournament last year that helped propel St. Thomas to the NCAA tournament. This has split written all over it, and neither game will be a blowout. I’ll pick each team at home. St. Thomas 4-3, Gustavus Adolphus 3-2
Augsburg at Hamline
While there’s a lot of attention on Gustavus and St. Thomas, Augsburg and Hamline are two teams that are receiving votes in the national polls. Hamline is tied for first in the MIAC with Gustavus, and Augsburg is tied for second with St. Thomas. There’s a chance to take a step forward here. Augusburg faces the Gusties next weekend, so any points they can get here will be helpful. This weekend will either further muddy the MIAC waters or see two teams take a step ahead. Much like the other conference match, I’ll take the home team. Augburg 4-2, Hamline 2-1
No. 2 Plattsburgh at Buffalo State
Plattsburgh has allowed just two conference goals all season and has a four-point lead on Buffalo State, but if anyone in the NEWHL has a chance to stop the speeding train that is the Cardinals, it’s Buffalo State. The Bengals have played three different goalies this season, with freshman Bri Garwronski getting the most starts. It’ll be interesting to see who they go with against the Cardinals. I expect Plattsburgh to sweep. Plattsburgh 4-2, 5-3
Saturday, Jan. 13
No. 7 Middlebury at No. 10 Endicott
Endicott has a stingy defense –- ranked second in the country — and a bit more time on the ice than Middlebury does. They’re also averaging 3.85 goals scored per game. Middlebury has impressed in their short season so far. Endicott should take this one at home. Endicott 4-2
Wednesday, Jan. 17
No. 10 Endicott at No. 3 Norwich
After the upset against Middlebury, Endicott will be riding high, but I don’t think it’ll be enough to unseat Norwich. The Cadets have such an impressive offense led by Amanda Conway and Sarah Schwenzfeier, two of the top scorers in the country. It’ll be fun to see their high-powered offense against Endicott’s defense. Norwich 3-1
