Game of the Week
For the third consecutive week, it just so happens another one of my season preview’s mark-your-calendar games takes place. This time, it’s Plattsburgh at Buffalo State on Saturday. The Bengals beat the Cardinals twice last year. Can they make it three in a row?
Buffalo State has certainly been on an offensive tear this year, scoring 18 goals in three conference games. Plattsburgh isn’t doing too shabby either, scoring 10 goals in two games. Defensively, Buffalo State has let up 2.33 goals per game, second best in the conference, while Plattsburgh has allowed 2.5 goals per game. The teams are also tied for third place, though Plattsburgh has a game in hand.
This does seem to be lining up to be quite a match up, but can Buffalo State really beat Plattsburgh three times in a row?
Why not? Plattsburgh will be coming in after what is sure to be a tough game against Fredonia, and could be a bit worn out at the end of their longest road trip of the year. And, you certainly can’t underestimate confidence gained by past success. I’ll go with the Bengals to do it again.
Other Picks
Once again, I was perfect in the conference games, and being they were the only games to pick last week, that meant a 7-0 record for a season total of 14-2-1 (.853).
The night before the game of the week is another key match up — Plattsburgh at Fredonia. The Blue Devils have looked very good, even if they have only mustered a 1-1-1 conference record. If Plattsburgh falls back into last year’s struggle of scoring goals, it could be a long night for the Cardinals. However, I will still go with Plattsburgh winning this close battle.
If Plattsburgh is in Western New York, that means their travel partner, Potsdam, is there as well. I see the Bears once again playing tough, but I also see them once again dropping both contests. If they do have a chance at a win, it will be Friday when they may catch Buffalo State thinking about red birdies instead of bears.
The first installment of the battle of Rochester takes place Friday, with Brockport traveling to Geneseo.
“A very intense hockey game,” Geneseo coach Chris Schultz expects. “Every time we play each other, it’s going to be a good game. It’s a fun game for me, and I’m sure it’s a fun game for Brian [Dickinson]. It’s one we need, and it’s one they need.”
Take Geneseo in this one. The next night, Geneseo will have no trouble in a nonconference game against Framingham State.
Morrisville will beat Cortland on Friday. The next night could prove to be quite a game, as the Mustangs will travel to Oswego. For whatever reason, when these two teams get together the past few years, it usually proves to be quite a contest.
“Nothing different,” Oswego coach Ed Gosek expects. “They hustle in all the zones. They always compete hard in our building. They’re strong on faceoffs. They check hard. Brian [Grady] always does a great job getting his team to compete at a high level.”
It might not be a high enough level to beat Oswego, as I’ll take the Lakers.
On this day of ones, thank you to all veterans!
