Happy Thanksgiving everyone and hoping that your Thursday will be full of family, good food and better friends…
While some teams are taking a break over the holiday weekend to close out November, there are some interesting holiday tournaments and non-conference action to delight all “puckheads” out there looking for something other than football to watch. Some fun matchups on tap so if something is scheduled in your area, get out there and enjoys some terrific college hockey.
Here are the Thanksgiving weekend picks – no side dishes included:
Tuesday, November 25, 2025 – Sunday, November 30, 2025
CNE
Bowdoin v. (15) Endicott
Both teams are off to solid starts, and this game should be played with great pace and skill. The Polar Bears have depth and balance in their lineup which will be a good match for Endicott’s deep lineup. Nothing like an OT thriller heading into the holiday weekend and the Gulls eke out the non-conference win – Endicott, 3-2
Little East
Tufts v. (11) Babson
Last season’s pre-Thanksgiving game ended in a 2-2 tie with Tufts taking a shootout. The Beavers are always a big favorite on home ice and find a way to win a close one with the Jumbos as goaltender Nate Mueller outduels Gus Bylin in a very entertaining pre-holiday tilt – Babson, 4-3
MAC
Wilkes v. Cortland
This recent non-conference matchup has produced very exciting hockey in recent years and for some reason the Red Dragons have seen some challenges in playing the Colonels on home ice. Hope nobody is already tasting Thanksgiving dinner just yet as this game is going to be a see-saw affair and my upset pick of the week with a late third period goal sending the visitors home happy – Wilkes, 5-4
MASCAC
Salve Regina v. Salem State
The independent Seahawks have been scoring in bunches so far this season under first-year coach and alum, Jay Punsky. The Vikings have struggled so far, this early season to find their game and this opponent is going to make things tough for the home squad on both ends of the ice – Salve Regina, 6-3
MIAC
St Mary’s v. MSOE
The Cardinals are off to a terrific start, and their offense has been potent with Joona Juntunen and Colin Tushie leading the way with nine goals between them including four on the power play. Road team will be ready to play having not played since their sweep of Hamline last weekend. Timely offense gets the job done for the visitors – St Mary’s, 4-2
NCHA
Dubuque v. (13) Wisconsin – Superior
The host Yellowjackets certainly would like to be holding the championship trophy in the Superior Shootout but can’t take Dubuque lightly in the opening contest. The hosts have some good momentum following a solid WIAC win over Stevens Point last weekend so look for Chris Ishmael to continue his consistent offensive contributions in a one-goal win to gain a spot in the championship game on Saturday – UWS, 4-3
NESCAC
Plymouth State v. Trinity
Both teams struggled in their early games to start the season with the Panthers having more time to get some positive momentum and wins. This pre-Thanksgiving classic has always been a nail-biter, and this year will be no exception. Look for the home team to start figuring out their game and find a way to win a close one with a late man-up goal in an early season must-win affair – Trinity, 3-2
NE-10
St Michael’s v. Amherst
The first annual “Jack Arena Coaching Tree” matchup between former Amherst players and coaches under Jack Arena takes place on the Tuesday before Thanksgiving as Jack Fitzgerald brings the Purple Knights to play against Eddie Effinger’s Mammoth squad. Camaraderie aside, this one is a game both teams need to win and the home team gets it done with a big game on special teams – Amherst, 5-3
SUNYAC
Middlebury v. Plattsburgh
Doesn’t matter whether it is called the Primelink or the Layer Eight Shootout these two long-time rivals play great hockey games regardless of the records. It’s a neutral site game hosted by Norwich this time around and the Panthers have had some success there on the bigger surface and are looking to defend winning the tournament a year ago. It takes OT but Panthers move on – Middlebury, 3-2
UCHC
Massachusetts-Boston v. (10) Utica
This first round game in the Utica Thanksgiving Showcase features a young and determined Beacon team that will challenge a Pioneer squad rebounding well from an 0-4 start to the season. Nothing helps build momentum like winning your own tournament and a win against UMB is a good start to collecting some thanksgiving hardware – Utica, 4-3
WIAC
Wisconsin – Eau Claire v. (3) St Norbert
The Green Knights host UWEC in a game that should show-off some highly skilled players and none more so than forward Logan Dombrowsky who makes life miserable for all opposing teams and especially on home ice. After a slow start the home team gets it going for a not so comfortable win over the Blugolds – St Norbert, 5-4
Thanksgiving means some great holiday tournaments including the Layer Eight Shootout (Middlebury, Norwich,* Plattsburgh and Stevenson); Terry Moran Invitational (Brockport, Castleton,* Lebanon Valley and St John Fisher); Utica Thanksgiving Showcase (Hamilton, Massachusetts-Boston, Morrisville and Utica*); Superior Showdown (Dubuque, Lawrence, St Scholastica and Wisconsin-Superior*); Skidmore Invitational (Alvernia, Skidmore,* Tufts and University of New England); Bowdoin/Colby shootout (Bowdoin,* Colby,* Gustavus Adolphus and St Anselm). There’s also plenty of non-conference action so a find a game nearby and make sure to tell the ref to – “Drop the Puck!”
*Host team(s) – Tournament participants listed alphabetically