The second weekend of the hockey season is here, and a lot of crossover matches are on tap, including Hamline traveling to Wisconsin-Stevens Point. It will also be an emotional night at Northland, as the Lumberjacks retire the jersey of Chris Morgan, who was killed in a tragic accident over the summer.
Check out my picks for the weekend here.
Friday, Nov. 3
St. John’s at Wisconsin-River Falls
The Johnnies are 2-0 and feature three of the best offensive players in the league in Kyle Wagner,Brady Heppner, and Joe Chitwood, who have combined for 13 points. Goalie Mac Berglove has given up just one goal in two starts. The Falcons (0-2) are looking for their first win and are playing at home for the first time this year. David Landau leads the team in points with seven. St. John’s 4-1
Hamline at No. 3 Wisconsin-Stevens Point
Mitch McPherson is playing well for the Pipers, scoring two goals, and with Russ Jordan a threat to score every time he has the puck, Hamline (2-0) has a shot at the upset. The Pointers are home for the first time and unbeaten through two games. They’ve scored nine goals in two games, including three by Tanner Karty, who leads the team in points with four. Wisconsin-Stevens Point 5-3
No. 7 Augsburg at Wisconsin-Superior
The Auggies won their first two games and look to keep the momentum rolling. Nate Flynn is dangerous and has scored two goals so far. Drew Anderson brings a lot to the offense as well, tallying two assists. The Yellowjackets are looking for their first win after two losses on the road. The defense, led by goalie Kyle Miller (4.00 goals-against average), will need to be sharp to pull off the upset. Augsburg 5-2
No. 2 Adrian at Lawrence
The Bulldogs are playing their first real game of the season. They have three of the best scorers in the nation in Kyle Brothers, Trevor Boyd, and Cory Dunn. The Vikings haven’t played either, and this won’t be an easy opener. They return 19 players, including Evan Cline, who owned a 2.63 goals-against average last season. Adrian 6-2
Lake Forest at Northland
Emotions will be high in this one as Northland will be honoring Chris Morgan, who passed away over the summer in tragic hit-and-run accident. His jersey will be retired. Northland was one of the surprise stories of the 2016-17 season, winning 11 games, but is 0-2 to start the year. The Lumberjacks will no doubt come out playing hard to honor their fallen teammate with a win. Lake Forest is 1-1 and has scored six goals in its first two games. Northland 4-3
Concordia at No. 1 St. Norbert
It’s a matchup of nationally ranked teams and an opportunity for the Falcons to make a statement against one of the country’s best teams year in, year out. Concordia has scored four goals in each of its first two games, and Stefen Seel has tallied two goals and two assists. The Green Knights were a final four team a year ago and are playing for the first time this season. Tanner Froese is among the key returnees and scored 13 goals last year. St. Norbert 5-3
Friday-Saturday, Nov. 3-4
St. Thomas vs. Saint Mary’s
Two league contenders go head-to-head this weekend in two-game series. Both teams are 1-1. Brett Gravelle is tough to stop and has two goals for the Tommies. Johnny Panvica is great at getting teammates the puck, having tallied three assists. Aaron Davis has allowed just two goals and has made 51 saves for the Cardinals. Saint Mary’s 3-1, St. Thomas 4-2
Saturday, Nov. 4
No. 7 Augsburg at Wisconsin-River Falls
The road trip continues for the Auggies, who will lean on stellar goalie play from Nick Schmit to help carry them to a win. He has allowed three goals in two games and has 40 saves for 2-0 Augsburg. Wis.-River Falls has a pretty good goalie as well in Zach Quinn, who owns a 3.04 goals-against average and has made 71 saves. Augsburg 5-2
Hamline at No. 13 Wisconsin-Eau Claire
Another challenging night awaits the Pipers, who will need to be clicking on all cylinders to get the job done against a national power on the road. The Blugolds are 1-1 and have scored three goals while allowing four. Jesse Tredinnick leads the way with two goals. Goalie Camden Haugenoe owns a 1.97 goals-against average. Wis.-Eau Claire 4-3
Lake Forest at St. Scholastica
The Foresters have gotten a big lift early in the season from Cody Guidorzi, who has tallied three assists. The Saints are unbeaten through two games and will be looking to cap the weekend on a high note. Seth Chumley leads St. Scholastica with two goals. St. Scholastica 5-4
Milwaukee School of Engineering at No. 1 St. Norbert
MSOE is a legit challenger. The Engineers are unbeaten through two games and have a shutout win under their belt over Wis.-Eau Claire. They’ve allowed just one goal in two games thanks to Zach Woodman, who has a 0.50 goals-against average. St. Norbert is tough at home and has a tremendous goalie back in T.J. Black, who won 17 games a season ago and led the nation in goals-against average at 1.31. Milwaukee School of Engineering 2-1
