The final weekend of the regular season is upon us, and while some regular-season championships have been decided, some haven’t.
In any event, all the games this weekend have meaning and with that, let’s get to Candace and Matt with the picks.
Saturday, Feb. 21
No. 2 Plattsburgh a No. 3 Middlebury
Candace: This could very well be a tie, but I like the slight underdog on home ice. Middlebury 3-2
Matt: This will be the marquee matchup of the weekend and one we could see in a few short weeks in the NCAA tournament. Both teams have been playing well and it’s really hard to choose a winner here, but I will anyway. Kayla Meneghin pots the OT winner as Plattsburgh wins 2-1.
No. 5 Norwich at Holy Cross
Candace: I’d like to pick my alma mater, but Norwich looks very strong overall. Norwich 2-1
Matt: I’ve always liked Holy Cross’ game and the fact the Crusaders are well above .500 says they’re doing something right. Then again, being ranked fifth in the nation means the same thing for Norwich, which takes a 5-3 win here.
Saturday/Sunday, Feb. 21-22
Oswego at No. 1 Elmira
Candace: Elmira stays on a roll, and enters the postseason as the favorite to win another national championship. Elmira 4-2, 4-1
Matt: Hard to see why Oswego’s 18-4-1 record only gets them votes in the USCHO.com Division III Women’s Poll, but it is what it is. Elmira has been on a roll here, but a hunch here says this weekend is a split. Elmira wins 3-1 Saturday and then Oswego squeezes out two points Sunday afternoon. Expect both in the NCAA tournament, though.
