It’s the middle of January and the action on the ice isn’t slowing down. We’ve got a handful of MIAC-WIAC crossover games and a full slate of NCHA games, with all three ranked conference opponents in action. Here’s a look at this week’s picks.
Concordia (5-9-1, 1-4-1) at St. Scholastica (8-6-1, 3-3)
Both teams come in looking to gain ground in the MIAC standings.
The Saints will lean on Hunter Hanson, who is tied for the league lead in goals scored (10). The Saints have come through with 51 goals as a team.
Dane Coutre has played well in goal for the Cobbers, sporting a 2.62 goals against average, and he’ll have to be on top of his game against the Saints,who have three players ranked among the top goal scorers in the league.
Concordia aims to end a two-game losing streak. The Saints are hoping to do the same.
St. Scholastica, 4-2; Concordia, 5-3
Augsburg (5-10, 1-5) vs. Bethel (7-5-1, 3-1)
Tyler Braccini ranks in the top five in goals scored in the MIAC, tallying nine on the season, while goalie Austin Ryman has been impressive in goal, racking up 270 saves. It’s also worth noting the Royals have won their last four games.
The Auggies are at the bottom of the conference and have lost their last two games. Things will need to change offensively for Augsburg, which has scored a goal or less in six of its last eight games.
Bethel, 3-1 and 4-2
Saint John’s (6-7) at UW-Stevens Point (10-4-1)
A big opportunity awaits the Johnnies as they hit the road to take on the nationally ranked Pointers on Saturday. Jon Howe will have to be at his best against a team that is averaging four goals per game.
Dawson Sciarrino leads the way with 12 goals. The Pointers have won four in a row. The Johnnies had lost seven in a row against the Pointers before winning 3-1 in January of 2023. Stevens Point comes in with a 7-0-1 record at home this season.
Stevens Point, 5-2
UW-River Falls (9-6) at St. Olaf (6-6-1)
Jonathan Panisa leads the Oles into action against the Falcons, who are playing their next six games on the road. River Falls has one of the top goalies in the game in Brennan Boynton, who has a 91.5 save percentage, the best in the WIAC.
The Oles are hoping to end a two-game losing streak. The good news is they have played well at home, going 4-1 this season.
River Falls, 4-3
UW-River Falls (9-6) at Saint Mary’s (7-5-1)
The Falcons cap the weekend on Saturday with a game against the Cardinals. Dylan Smith will be looked upon to play a key role as he leads River Falls with 15 points. He’s scored eight goals on the season.
The Cardinals have dropped two in a row and are 0-2 against WIAC opponents this season. Colin Tushie, Nathan Solis and Gabe Potyk have been key players for Saint Mary’s, scoring seven goals apiece.
Saint Mary’s, 5-4
Lawrence (3-9-2, 2-5-1) vs. Trine (12-2-1, 6-1-1)
The first place Thunder, who are ranked seventh nationally in the USCHO.com poll, look to keep their place atop the standings when they take on the Vikings.
Trine has great depth at the goalie position, with Cristian Wong-Ramos and Kyle Kozma both having the ability to rise to the occasion. Both sport goals against averages under two.
The Vikings come in having lost three in a row and are facing their third ranked opponent of the season.
Trine, 4-1 and 5-2
Adrian (12-3, 6-2) vs. Lake Forest (6-8-1, 2-5-1)
Sixth-ranked Adrian is as hot as ever, winning nine in a row, and it won’t be easy for the Foresters to slow that momentum. Ian Amsbaugh is among the top threats for the Bulldogs, scoring eight goals, and Dershahn Stewart has been solid between the pipes with a 2.49 goals against average.
The Foresters begin a stretch of back to back weekends against ranked opponents. Justin Ross, Trevor Faucher and Colin Bella have tallied seven goals apiece for Lake Forest.
Adrian, 5-2 and 6-3
Marian (6-9, 3-5) vs.Aurora (12-3, 6-2)
The No. 5 Spartans have won two in a row and look to keep pace in a highly competitive battle for the conference title. Aurora has cranked out 73 goals, the most of any team in the NCHA, and Landry Schmuck has helped fuel that attack, coming through with 11 goals.
Daunte Fortner has helped lead the way for the Sabres, tallying seven goals. Marian has lost three of its last four.
Aurora, 5-1 and 4-1
Concordia (9-6, 4-4) vs. St. Norbert (12-3, 7-1)
The fourth-ranked Green Knights feature two of the top five scoring threats in the NCHA in Liam Fraser and Logan Dombrowsky. They’ll look to get St. Norbert back on track after three straight losses. Fraser has tallied 14 goals while Dombrowsky has come through with nine goals.
Derek Humphreys leads the way for the Falcons, recording 11 goals. Two of the better goalies will be on the ice as well in Hunter Garvey for St. Norbert and Gabe Rosek for Concordia, which has won six in a row.
St. Norbert, 5-3; Concordia, 4-3
