Last week: 6-3-1
Overall: 7-7-1
I had decent luck last week, which pulled my overall record up to .500. Let’s see how long I stay there. All games are 7 p.m. unless noted.
Friday, Oct. 18
RIT at Clarkson
RIT has scored a respectable five goals in their first two games, but has allowed a whopping 11 to their opponents. Clarkson is off to a 3-1 start, the program’s best in six years, and has gotten solid goaltending from freshman Steve Perry and sophomore Greg Lewis. The Golden Knights have an eight-game unbeaten streak (7-0-1) against the Tigers, and it’s the home opener at Cheel Arena. Clarkson wins
Lake Superior at Union
Injuries hit the Dutchmen hard last weekend. Starting goaltender Colin Stevens was hurt in the season opener, and didn’t play the subsequent night, while forwards Eli Lichtenwald, Max Novak and David Roy are also hurt. It will be an early test of Union’s depth. Fortunately for the Dutchmen, it comes at home, where they’ve been outstanding the last few years. Union wins
Colgate at Bowling Green, 7:07 p.m.
Bowling Green is 8-1-1 all-time against Colgate, but the Raiders picked up their first win of the series last season. The Falcons are fourth in the nation in penalty minutes, and I think Colgate’s power play, which is 4-for-14 on the year, will capitalize on that. Colgate wins
St. Lawrence at Ferris State, 7:07 p.m.
Saint Lawrence dominated Maine a sweep in Canton last weekend, while the Bulldogs piled up seven goals on Colgate before getting shutout the next game. If Saints forward Greg Carey can repeat his five-point weekend, look out, but give the slight edge to the home team. Ferris State wins
Quinnipiac at Massachusetts-Lowell, 7:15
The Bobcats and RiverHawks made up half of last year’s Frozen Four. UMass-Lowell brought a lot back, but opened some eyes with an opening-night loss to Sacred Heart. I think Quinnipiac should be competitive this year, but the Riverhawks are at home and still have a lot talent despite the season-opening loss. Massachusetts-Lowell wins
Rensselaer at Boston University, 7:30 p.m.
RPI announced that goalie Jason Kasdorf isn’t expected to play this weekend due to an injury. That leaves the goaltending duties to junior Scott Diebold, who has played well for stretches over the last few years. Still, taking down BU without Kasdorf is a lot to ask. Boston University wins
Saturday, Oct. 19
Massachusetts-Lowell at Quinnipiac
The Bobcats have never lost a home opener since moving to Division I, and they’ll be raising a Frozen Four banner before the game as well. Quinnipiac wins
Sacred Heart at Rensselaer
These teams meet for the second time in as many weekends, this time in Troy. The Pioneers have already matched their win total from a season ago and have gotten solid play from former Union commit Alex Vazzano in goal. Even minus Kasdorf, I think RPI has enough depth up front and on defense to get the win. Rensselaer wins
Lake Superior at Union
Part of Union’s shaky midseason stretch last season included a sweep by the Lakers. The Dutchmen should return the favor this season. Union wins
Colgate at Bowling Green, 7:07 p.m.
If senior goalie Eric Mihalik and the Colgatedefense can keep playing the way they have of late, the Raiders should complete the the sweep. Colgate wins
St. Lawrence at Ferris State, 7:07 p.m.
The Saints should bounce back with a win in Game 2 and head home with a split. St. Lawrence wins
RIT at Clarkson, 7:30 p.m.
I think the Golden Knights complete the sweep to push their record to 5-1 on the year. Not bad for a team that won nine games all of last season. Clarkson wins
