The opening weekend games feature non conference games and a tournament. So lets start off with the weekend series first. Three series are against Hockey East teams, Vermont, Northeastern, and Merrimack. There is also one CCHA series, and then the Superior Showcase, with two WCHA and two CCHA teams. These non conference games can give us a good indication of where the league stands as a whole against the other top conference.
St. Cloud State at Miami
The RedHawks of Miami had a great run last year in the playoffs and just came up short of a national title. The question will be, can they do it again this season? The Huskies will be trying to win and show that they are going to a force to be reckoned with this year. I'm betting we will see freshman goalie Mike Lee in net both nights. I see this series being a split, UM on Friday and SCSU on Saturday.
Vermont at Denver
I'm not up to snuff on the Catamounts, but if history can be used, they have been a good competitive team in years past and the fact they are rated #14 to start this season. The Pioneers being ranked #1 will have a big target on them this weekend as they look prove they are deserving of the pole position to start the season. I think conditioning and altitude might factor into UV's game plan, but in the end I think DU will come out on top. I'm picking DU to get a win and tie, this weekend.
Merrimack at North Dakota
The Warriors invade the Ralph this weekend in hopes of pulling of an upset win. UM was picked to finish last in their conference, ouch. Meanwhile the Sioux where picked to finish second in the WCHA and are ranked #6 to start the year. UND has 10 freshman this year in the line up and only 3 seniors, yeah, they are a young team. The Sioux are use to have many youngsters in the line up with the numberous defections to the NHL before the player graduates. I think the Warriors will put up a fight but the skill of the Sioux will win out in the end. SIOUX SWEEP.
Bowling Green at Minnesota State
I'm sure many people didn't realize that Ohio has two hockey teams, but BG has a team. The Falcons haven't had that much success in recent seasons past, but are looking to move up the CCHA standings. If I'm not mistaken they have a new head coach this season, so this could be a little bit of a transition year too. The Mavericks gave their head coach Jutting a contract extentsion, so he will be the bench boss in Mankato for years to come. The Mavericks are always tough team to beat and the Falcons will find that out this weekend. MAVERICKS SWEEP.
Northeastern at Colorado College
The Huskies invade the Tigers home this weekend for a pair of tilts. CC has many questions to answer, goalie and offense are the main ones... Northeastern finshed last season with a 25-12-4 record, pretty darn good in any league. The Tigers will have their hands full with these doggies. But don't count the Tigers out just yet, they have suprised us before. I'm hedging my bet and going to call this a SPLIT.
Superior Showcase
Lake Superior at Minnesota-Duluth
The Lakers take on the Bulldogs since this is a round robin tourney I'm going with Dogs at home over the Lakers.
Northern Michigan at Michigan Tech
This is an old WCHA rivalry, I remember when the Wildcats played in the WHCA. The Huskies are going to have to be on their A-game to get wins this season, and I don't see them starting with a win over their Upper Penisula rivals. Wildcats Win.
Lake Superior at Michigan Tech
I think the Huskies will drop this game by one goal to the Lakers.
Northern Michigan at Minnesota-Duluth
This game is a tough one to call, but hey its only speculation, right...Bulldogs Win.
Kendall Hockey Classic
Mercyhurst at Alaska-Anchorage
The Seawolves are looking to start the season with a win, and to do that they will need to beat the Mercyhurst Lakers from Atlantic Hockey. The Lakers where 8-11-1 away form Erie PA last year, and the Seawolves were 5-8-4 at home last season.
I think the Lakers will handle their first road/airplane trip of the season well and will hand the Seawolves a loss.
Michigan at Alaska-Anchorage
Lets just let this one be. #3 Michigan wins.
Oh come on Donn! Really, don't you want to say the big slow, lumbering, out matched, under talented Seawolves are going to be run out of their own building by the superior Michigan Wolverines. I am predicting a 7-2 score. I dunno if they score two.
ReplyDeleteJust thought I'd let you know that Ohio has three D1 hockey teams; Miami, Ohio State, and Bowling Green. It's an easy mistake to make.
ReplyDeleteHey Donn thank God you're not a geography major. :) That is interesting in the CCHA you have three teams from Ohio, one team from Indiana, one team (for this year) from Nebraska and the rest are from Michigan.
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