Here comes another jam-packed weekend of action that finds some interesting and critical league contests and series on tap for everyone’s delight across the country. The conference slate of games sees some ranked opponents facing off as well as some matchups that the favorites might not want to be too complacent with in their assessment of the opposition.
Here are the picks for the GOTW this weekend that feature some outstanding matchups in conference and out:
Friday, January 16, 2026 – Sunday, January 18, 2026
CNE
(8) University of New England v. (7) Endicott
The Gulls have let their play on the ice do the talking and host the opening game of the weekend series between the two top teams in the CNE. Best find a way to get points as the top four teams in the conference are separated by just three points. Nothing like home ice to take an important win against a key rival – Endicott, 3-2
Little East
Plymouth State v. New England College
The Pilgrims are coming off a huge win over Babson but face a Panthers squad desperate to better their current 1-5-0 road record. Anthony Beaulieu has been a game changer in the crease of late for the home team and again pulls another upset to help themselves move up in the Little East standings – NEC, 4-3
MAC
Neumann v. Wilkes
Last weekend it was Neumann and Stevenson and this week it is another top-two battle with the Colonels and the Knights facing off over the weekend. Home team has been unbeaten in their “barn” so look for the momentum to swing to the hosts in a game that needs an empty-net goal for some breathing room and for the final margin – Wilkes, 4-2
MASCAC
Worcester State v. Salem State
Both teams have been mired in the bottom half of the standings but are coming off impressive wins that hopefully can shift momentum as the hunt for conference points begins in earnest. The Vikings handed Fitchburg State their first loss and now host the Lancers looking to build on that win. Mission accomplished and some momentum generated – Salem State, 6-3
MIAC
St. John’s v. Wisconsin – Eau Claire
The Johnnies face-off with one of the hotter teams in the west since the calendar turned to 2026. The BluGolds can play very low-scoring games or find some goals in bunches but this one requires patience in a tight game where special teams (yes, a Blugolds PPG) are the difference in a one-goal game that extends the win streak – UWEC, 4-3
NCHA
(3) St. Norbert v. Concordia (WI)
Only seven points separate first from seventh in the NCHA so expect every contest to focus on grinding it out for points and preferably, in regulation style wins. The Green Knights don’t start fast but finish the job in style for a nice road win against a very determined host squad. Hinter Garvey is the difference in goal for the visitors – St. Norbert, 4-3
NESCAC
Wesleyan v. (13) Bowdoin
The league that essentially “eats its young” by constantly beating each other finds a red-hot Wesleyan squad traveling to Maine where the Polar Bears are still licking their wounds from a tough weekend against Hamilton and Amherst. Nothing like a little home-cooking at “The Sid” to get things back on track in a very close game that needs some overtime to decide a winner – Bowdoin, 3-2
NE-10
Assumption v. Franklin Pierce
The Ravens have struggled in recent games but still want to prove they are in the mix for the NE-10 regular season title and play a Greyhound squad looking to find some consistency in their game. Expect a lot of scoring in this one especially on the power play where one more man-advantage for the home team is decisive – FPU, 5-4
SUNYAC
(5) Oswego v. Fredonia
TRAP GAME ALERT – Do not let the record fool you Lakers as the Blue Devils are overdue for a win on home ice and surely, you don’t want to be their first conquest! Lots of energy to start but the visitors wear down their very determined opponent to stay within shouting distance of the top of the SUNYAC standings – Oswego, 5-2
UCHC
(12) Utica v. Nazareth
Last weekend saw the Pioneers host a single game with the Golden Flyers and cruise to a comfortable win. Nazareth plays host this weekend and having had a week to re-play the game in their minds come ready to take down the visitors. Home ice matters but not quite enough in this one as Utica finds a way to eke out a one-goal win – Utica, 3-2
WIAC
St. Olaf v. (14) Wisconsin – Stout
Another interesting MIAC/WIAC matchup with two teams that know how to win close contests. No question this one is going to be a one-goal game and probably with an overtime period to decide it. This is my upset pick of the week (is anything really an upset anymore) as the visitors surprise their ranked hosts with a late goal to take a terrific road win– St. Olaf, 5-4
Hard not to be excited about the action that is playing out everywhere and across all of the conferences. People like to us the word parity but maybe we should shift our mindset to the continuous improvement in the competitive landscape for D-III hockey – “Drop the Puck!”