Last weekend’s ECAC Northeast/MASCAC slate included a slew of nonconference games, including a handful of Thanksgiving tournaments in which teams got to showcase their wares against out-of-state competition. I went 3-2-1 this week (earning a half point for Framingham’s 1-1 tie Tuesday with Fitchburg), moving to 14-9-5.
Here are this week’s picks.
ECAC Northeast
Curry at Suffolk, 4 p.m. Saturday, Walter Brown Arena
After a season-opening loss nearly a month ago to No. 13 Neumann, the Colonels have picked up steam and have won four straight entering this week. Furthermore, they’ve scored 27 goals in their first five games. Prior to Thursday, Suffolk hadn’t won a game since November 5, a stretch in which they’ve been outscored 35-11 and have used three goalies — none with a GAA lower than 4.06. Pick: Curry 6-2
Salve Regina at Johnson and Wales, 6 p.m. Saturday
The offense and defense are already in a rhythm for Johnson and Wales, which scored 32 goals in its first six games, including seven from Danny Kaufmann, while allowing an average of two goals a game. Salve Regina meanwhile, looks to build upon Sunday’s win at Colby — the Seahawks’ first win over the Mules. Pick: Johnson and Wales 4-1
Wentworth at Nichols, 7:40 p.m. Sunday
After a pair of nonconference games against Trinity and Wesleyan (a 4-1 loss), Wentworth plays two more ECAC Northeast games this week before resuming a stretch of six games — including five nonconference games. Nicholes is struggling to capitalize on its scoring changes; in a 4-0 loss last week (Nov. 19) to Becker, the Bison were shut out despite putting 44 shots on goal. At the Skidmore Invitational, the Bison scored four goals on 46 shots, and an 8-2 loss to Skidmore on Saturday, two goals on 23 shots. Pick: Wentworth 3-1
MASCAC
Plymouth State at Worcester State, 4 p.m. Saturday
The Panthers entered the week with a pair of the MASCAC’s statistical leaders, Kyle Greco, the MASCAC’s leading scorer with two goals and seven assists, and goalie Jack Astedt, who is second in the league in goals against average (2.20). Worcester State broke a five-game winless streak with Saturday’s 6-1 win at Southern New Hampshire. Pick: Plymouth State 5-2
Salem State at Westfield State, 5:35 p.m. Saturday
In Salem State’s 5-1 loss Saturday, Amherst held Salem State to one goal and a season-low 19 shots, but the Vikings rebounded the next afternoon with a 5-3 win over Babson, despite being outshot 42-27. Prior to Saturday’s game, Westfield State had a nine-day layoff before returning to action Thursday at Massachusetts-Dartmouth. Pick: Salem State 4-2
Stonehill at Framingham State, 7:20 p.m. Tuesday
Stonehill has faced five MASCAC and ECAC Northeast opponents this season and is 1-4 this season against those teams. Framingham State earned its first win of the season Thursday, defeating Worcester State 5-3, but was outscored 22-5 in its first four games. Pick: Framingham State 2-1
