Happy New Year to All!
Well, it isn’t taking long for the second half of the season to kick-off in grand fashion with tournaments and electric, non-conference games on tap. Hopefully all the players went easy on the excesses of the holidays and are ready to pick up where we left off in early December. With the turn of the year comes a new sense of urgency in bringing the level of play up to compete for championships. Should be a great start this weekend to see who is ready to really compete.
My weekly picks finished last week at a horrible 2-3-0 (.400) which is not the way I envisioned closing out the semester. To date, my season numbers are 52-26-4 (.659) which is very promising considering I had two weeks where I was way off target which surely has impacted the overall numbers more significantly than my consistently “good but not great” weeks in the first half. It all starts again now with a super-sized edition of game picks that include tournament and non-conference action to start 2025 – here are this week’s picks for the east:
Thursday, January 2, 2025
(8) Trinity v. (9) Curry
If this game was just about Devon Bobak vs. Shane Soderwall there would not be a lot of scoring and probably not a winner. That said these two are a couple of the best goaltenders in all D-III and bring a strong level of compete to the crease every night. Takes OT for a winner to be determined with the visitors eking it out – Trinity, 2-1
Friday, January 3, 2025
Codfish Bowl
Massachusetts-Dartmouth v. Massachusetts-Boston
The Beacons are proud hosts of the nation’s oldest D-III tournament but unfortunately, they don’t always play the role of the ungracious host in winning it often. They shouldn’t take Collin Patterson & Company lightly as they can be lethal especially on the power play. Corsairs score early and hang on – UMD, 4-3
Fitchburg State v. Wisconsin-Superior
This east meets west affair should be entertaining and physical. The Yellowjackets didn’t travel all this way over the New Year to exit contention for the Codfish Bowl early. Fast start helps the visitors ease to a comfortable yet highly physical victory over the Falcons – Wisconsin-Superior, 5-2
Misericordia v. (11) Wilkes
TRAP GAME ALERT – The Colonels best not think they can ease into the second half of the MAC schedule with an easy “W” over the current last place team. The visitors are ready to go and improve their position, but a third period surge will put Wilkes in the win column to start 2025 – Wilkes, 3-1
Keene State v. Plattsburgh
The Owls play the “iron” of their schedule over the next week or so and the Cardinals will be a tough and physical opponent to open up the second half. Entertaining contest that finds the Cardinals taking advantage of their power play more than the Owls do in a hard-fought win over the D-III newcomers – PSU, 5-3
Northfield Bank Tournament
Plymouth State v. (12) Hamilton
Great matchup between MASCAC and NESCAC foes in the opening round of a loaded tournament hosted by Norwich. Hamilton my be one of the best teams no one talks about and the Panthers best be wary of a skilled group of forwards on the other bench. Seesaw affair goes to the Continentals with the help of a much-needed ENG – Hamilton, 5-3
Williams v. Norwich
The Cadets have struggled immensely to score goals so far this season and the Ephs can certainly skate with the host team even on the big sheet of ice in Northfield. Upset pick amongst all my picks with the visitors in purple stealing an OT thriller – Williams, 3-2
Oswego State Classic
Alvernia v. Lebanon Valley
The two MAC schools play in a game that means an opportunity to play for mid-season hardware and it’s the Golden Wolves who find some late magic to take a one-goal win over the Flying Dutchmen – Alvernia, 5-4
Neumann v. Oswego
The Lakers do not have the best of records in their own tournament and the Black Knights are the wrong team to start out sluggishly against as coach Mike Heddon has his boys primed for puck drop and a fast start leads to a one-goal win – Neumann 4-3
Tampa College Hockey Invitational
Albertus Magnus v. Suffolk
This was only a matter of time before teams facing winter in the northeast said, “hey let’s play a tournament in Florida.” Brilliant idea and great hockey as Suffolk gets great goaltending from CJ Hapward to steal a opening round win – Suffolk, 2-1
Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE) v. Tufts
Another west vs. east affair in the second game sees a distinct matchup of styles where the fast and physical meets the speedy and skilled. Always a toss-up based on the commitment and assuming limited beach time, Sedlak and Resnick help the Jumbos play for a title on Saturday – Tufts, 5-4
Saturday, January 4, 2025
Boston Landing Invitational
Salem State v. Nichols
This tournament always has some interesting results, and the Bison have enjoyed quite a bit of success as the host institution since the BLI inception. Not bucking history here as the Vikings put up a strong fight but Nathan Carl and group get it done in round one – Nichols, 4-3
Canton v. Middlebury
The Panthers have already tasted far removed tournament success this season when they hosted the LayerEight back in November. Kangaroos did not fare so well in the North Country Tournament and both teams looking to start 2025 with a flourish. Jin Lee leads by example with the game winner late in regulation – Middlebury, 3-2
(1) Hobart v. Manhattanville
The Valiants are hoping the Statesmen REALLY enjoyed the holidays and come back maybe a little bit less sharp than their impressive 10-0-0 start to the campaign. Unfortunately, no such luck as Luke Aquaro and the deepest forward group in the country start 2025 with a statement win on the road – Hobart, 6-1
Connecticut College v. Johnson & Wales
The Camels are off to their best first half start in many seasons but should not look past a very pesky Wildcats squad that keeps everything tight and close. Conn College has shown they can play things tight and win the one-goal playoff style games just like this one – Conn College, 3-2
(10) Endicott v. Amherst
This game is a chess match between two very good coaches in Endicott’s RJ Tolan and Amherst’s Jack Arena. If this game was in Raymond Bourque arena I might be leaning the other way but knowing the hallowed halls of Orr Rink, special teams and some late Mammoth magic steal an upset win – Amherst, 3-2
St. Michael’s v. Potsdam
The Purple Knights venture into upstate New York for this NE-10 v. SUNYAC matchup. Davi Ciancio and Case Kantgias may just be the best two-pronged defense to offense attack at the D-II/III level and their play gives the visitors a nice road win to start the second half – St. Michael’s, 5-3
Salve Regina v. Framingham State
The Seahawks are still looking for consistency and this back half of a two game weekend gives them a chance to start 2025 2-0-0 before heading into the battles of the NEHC. Aidan Connelly has fit in nicely and added some offensive punch which should be on display against the Rams – Salve Regina, 6-3
Nothing better than getting back on the ice and competing. Whether it is the sheer thrill of playing to kick-off the second half or the added excitement around winning tournament hardware, this weekend has something for everyone. The new NPI is up on the USCHO site just in case anyone wants to know where their team ranks in what will help determine at-large bids for national tournament contention come March – “Drop the Puck!”
