Weekend picks: Dec. 5

Friday-Saturday, Dec. 5-6

Wis.-River Falls vs. Wis.-Superior
Candace: A split in this one seems certain, with the home team prevailing in each. Wis.-River Falls 2-1, Wis.-Superior 3-2
Matt:One other series to watch is the home-and-home set between No. 7 Wisconsin-River Falls and No. 8 Wisconsin-Superior.

The WIAC is always a tough, albeit small conference, but the players have the talent to back it up.

The series starts in River Falls Friday and wraps Saturday night at Superior. I like a split here, with the home team taking each game.

Saturday, Dec. 6

St. Anselm at Bowdoin

Candace: I don’t believe in picking ties, and I like home ice in this one, though it’s a one-goal win. Bowdoin 3-2
Matt: Another key game this weekend is St. Anselm heading to Bowdoin on Saturday afternoon.

The Hawks are 6-1-1, while the Polar Bears are 3-0-2. It’s one of those games where one would think something has to give and a tally mark will be put in someone’s loss column, but not today. The teams play to a 3-3 tie with the tying goal coming from Bowdoin with the extra attacker.

Saturday-Sunday, Dec. 6-7

St. Scholastica at Adrian
Candace: This is a tough one to pick, but I’m going with home ice in both. Adrian 3-2, 3-1
Matt:The big series this weekend is in the NCHA, with St. Scholastica at No. 10 Adrian Saturday and Sunday.

Adrian remains unbeaten (5-0-1), having swept then-No. 9 Lake Forest early on and taking three of four points from St. Norbert on the road two weeks ago. St. Scholastica enters its third straight series against a top-four opponent from a year ago. Two weekends ago, the Saints tied and lost at Lake Forest after splitting with St. Norbert at home three weeks ago.

This weekend is a statement opportunity for Adrian and St. Scholastica, as Adrian can grab a firm grip on the conference lead, while St. Scholastica can pick up a win against a ranked opponent and possibly build some momentum into the second half of the season. Adrian wins two one-goal games, with one in overtime.