Nothing has come easy for Johnson and Wales this season, and that doesn’t figure to change in the stretch run, where points are precious and every period means something.
Which is exactly why Saturday’s date vs. Becker is must-win territory for the Wildcats. Johnson and Wales took a four-game winless streak into the week, and two of those games went into overtime, so you know that a game vs. the last-place Hawks will not be taken lightly.
There’s still a chance for the Wildcats, averaging 3.70 goals per game in ECAC Northeast play, to end with a flurry, and since they already outlasted Becker, 6-4, back on Nov. 17, we’ll go back to them here and see if they can build a little weekend momentum. Johnson and Wales 5-2
Saturday, Feb. 09
Suffolk at Wentworth
A lot has changed for the first-place Leopards since they defeated the Rams, 4-1, back on Nov. 17. With only one loss in their last six games headed into this week’s action, WIT had clearly shed a slow start and appeared back in gear to win another league title. Part of doing that, of course, is beating teams you’re supposed to beat. The Leopards, the preseason pick to win the ECAC Northeast, should be able to do that vs. Suffolk again. Wentworth, 3-1.
Sunday, Feb. 10
Western New England at Salve Regina
The Seahawks allowed 16 goals in their previous six games headed into this week, and that’s precisely the kind of team that the Golden Bears would like to see these days. Western New England is tuning up for a postseason run, and an offense that closed last week dead last in ECAC Northeast total offense (2.70 goals per game) might get a little pick-me-up here. Western New England 6-3
Last week: 2-1; Overall: 24-17-1.
