A 3-1-0 (.750) weekend was only spoiled by my inability to pick the travel partner game between Skidmore and Castleton. The overall season numbers are really good at 59-20-9 (.722). All will be for nothing if I don’t close the deal this week on the picks that really mean everything to teams looking for hardware and a ticket to the dance in the NCAA tournament.
The top four are the final four, but will the tournament continue to hold to form? Here are this weekend’s selections for the semifinals and predicted final.
Friday, March 1, 2013
No. 3 Babson at No. 2 Massachusetts-Boston
The season series went to the Beacons with a win and a tie, and both games showcased their ability to come back from deficits. It is never advisable to create a deficit in a playoff game, especially against a team with a recent history of success in reaching the championship game. The Beacons have been on a mission all year, and Travis Daniel and Zack Andrews make sure they have a game to play on Saturday. Massachusetts-Boston 4-3
No. 4 Castleton at No. 1 Norwich
Short-term memory is going to be a key for the Spartans if they want to be in this one against the number one team in the country. Recent games at Kreitzburg have been a disaster for Castleton, but all can be erased and forgotten with a strong effort from the seniors who are looking at their last chance to win a title for Castleton. More history is at stake for the senior Cadets, who can create history with just a few more wins. Chalk up number one in efficient fashion. Norwich 4-1
Saturday, March 2, 2013
No. 2 Massachusetts-Boston at No. 1 Norwich
I am really not going out much on a limb with a one vs. two game, but if it happens, it will be a fun game to watch. The Cadets took both games in the regular season, and while youthful exuberance reigns supreme on the Beacons bench, the experience and deep playoff history for the Cadets is the difference here. Colin Mulvey and the rest of the seniors get to raise the conference trophy one more time and make it a sweet four-for-four in their career in Northfield. Norwich 3-2
Everything is on the line this weekend, and if you want to go to the NCAA tournament, the only guaranteed entry is through winning the conference title. Everybody loves winning trophies, and the challenges of the long season are all worthwhile with just two more wins — drop the puck!
