Just one week remains on the calendar and teams aren’t “going through the motions” just to wrap up the semester. Nobody wants to stew on a loss for a couple of weeks over the holidays without remedy so the effort will be there from opening puck drop until the final horn.
Not a lot of games to puck from but still some interesting matchups – here are the GOTW picks to close out the first half:
Tuesday, December 9, 2025 – Sunday, December 14, 2025
CNE
Wesleyan v. (11) Endicott
Despite being a ranked team, the Gulls have literally flown under the radar and will be looking to close out their first half with a win against an always disciplined Wesleyan squad. Goals are few, goaltending is great and why not have an overtime to decide a winner? Bonus hockey not on any coach’s wish list but a win is a win – Endicott, 3-2
Little East
Salve Regina v. Southern Maine
TRAP GAME ALERT – The Seahawks have been flying high and would love to finish the first half on a winning note. Hopefully visions of Tampa beaches and the College Hockey Invitational aren’t skating in their heads because the Huskies bring some bite to their game and make the visitors earn a one-goal win – SRU, 4-3
MAC
King’s v. Misericordia
This game on paper is played between teams on the bottom of the standings but that won’t diminish the effort or intensity with both squads looking for some positive momentum to carry over into the second half. Look for a lot of goals in this one with the Monarchs taking an exciting win on the road – King’s, 5-4
MASCAC
Anna Maria v. New England College
The AmCats will find what many teams that play the Pilgrims do – it is hard to play in their rink in Henniker where NEC has created a definite home ice advantage. This one is likely to feature a lot of special teams play and the team with the last power play wins. In this case it is the visitors, barely – AMC, 4-3
MIAC
MSOE v. Bethel
The Raiders have been a surprise team outside the Big Four in the NCHA and want to close out the first half on a high note against a tough Bethel team from the MIAC. MSOE’s Seth Bernard and Jackson Hughes have been point-per-game machines for the visitors who score a big goal late to steal a nice road win – MSOE, 4-2
NCHA
Hiram v. (2) Adrian
The Terriers have had a baptism of fire in their first collegiate season starting with their opening season loss to Chatham by a 10-1 score. Closing out against a top-five ranked team isn’t going to help the record but the Terriers show some bite against the better Bulldog Squad – Adrian, 7-2
NESCAC
Nazareth v. (5) Hamilton
This non-conference battle between upstate New York squads should be a very entertaining contest. The Continentals have some terrific skilled offensive players that emerge after a slow start. Better late than never with the goal production that earns a win over the Golden Flyers – Hamilton, 4-2
NE-10
Assumption v. Westfield State
The Greyhounds have shown that they can play solid hockey in all three zones and face an Owl squad that has proven to be an early season contender in the MASCAC. Just too many offensive weapons for the visitors in a game that needs an empty-net goal for the final margin – Assumption, 5-3
SUNYAC
Buffalo State v. (12) Trine
The Thunder are coming off a tough two-game series with St. Norbert and look to close out their first half with a couple of wins over Buffalo State on home ice. Beware the Bengals attack who starts fast but ultimately fall to the home team in a game that has a playoff atmosphere – Trine, 3-1
UCHC
Manhattanville v. (1) Hobart
The Statesmen categorically “respect all opponents and fear none” as their coach Mark Taylor always says. The Valiants on the other hand should fear a Hobart team on home ice where they just don’t lose games. Balanced contributions from a number of players leads to a comfortable win – Hobart, 5-1
WIAC
Wisconsin – Eau Claire v. Wisconsin – Stevens Point
The first half is closing and the WIAC standings are tight, so every point gained now is likely to matter come the second half playoff positioning. The Blugolds like close low-scoring games and surprise, surprise the game with the Pointers is just that. the big goal comes from Luke Lavery and helps the visitors to the one-goal win – UWEC, 4-3
This is wrap for the first half which has certainly set the table for some exciting hockey upcoming in the New Year. Look for the annual Letter to Santa coming on Friday. Wishing all the best of the holiday season – “Drop the Puck.”