Marian and Lawrence will be traveling to De Pere, Wis., this weekend to compete in the NCHA/MCHA Thanksgiving Classic. St. Norbert will be hosting, and the fourth team competing is St. Scholastica. Both NCHA teams will be joining the MCHA next season, so this should be a fun weekend for all teams involved. Milwaukee School of Engineering, Lake Forest, Concordia, and Adrian will all face nonconference opponents as well. Finlandia and Northland are off this weekend.
Last weekend, I went 4-2-0 (.666) bringing me to a 15-7-0 (.682) record this season. I’m predicting a big MCHA weekend, predicting them to be the victors in all but one game.
Friday-Saturday, November 23-24
Lawrence vs. St. Scholastica and St. Norbert
Lawrence (2-4-0) will be facing off against two future MCHA foes. Friday, they will take on St. Scholastica (1-5-0); Saturday, they’ll take on defending national champion St. Norbert (6-2-1). With the offensive production of the Vikings this season, I think they will score a lot of goals against St. Scholastica for the win. If they focus on their defensive strategy while maintaining their offensive production, I think they could beat St. Norbert as well. Lawrence 4-1, 4-3
Marian vs. St. Norbert and St. Scholastica
The Sabres (4-3-0) will take on St. Norbert, followed by St. Scholastica. Marian most recently swept Lawrence in conference play. Marian’s strength right now is its stellar goaltending coming from junior Josh Baker. Baker owns a .931 save percentage, while averaging 1.77 goals-against. He holds a 3-1-1 record. I’m feeling that the MCHA will come out strong in this tournament. Marian 3-1, 3-2
Bethel at Milwaukee School of Engineering
MSOE (3-3-0) will be hosting MIAC’s Bethel (4-4-0) this weekend. Bethel’s strength is in its defense, while the Engineers have a knack for scoring goals. The Engineers had last weekend off and are currently on a three-game losing streak. The team will want to snap that streak this weekend before getting back into conference play. MSOE 4-1, 3-2
Hamline vs. Lake Forest
Lake Forest (1-6-0) will take on nonconference opponent Hamline (0-7-1) this weekend. The Foresters were swept by Adrian last weekend. I think it’ll be a big weekend for the MCHA, so I’ll pick a low-scoring sweep for Lake Forest. Lake Forest 2-1, 2-1
Saturday-Sunday, November 24-25
Saint Mary’s at Adrian
Adrian (6-0-0) will be hosting Saint Mary’s (4-2-0) in a one game nonconference tilt this weekend. The Bulldogs have been unstoppable this season. They are sound in every aspect on the ice. I think they’ll continue their undefeated steak this Saturday. Adrian 4-2
Concordia at Wisconsin-Eau Claire
Concordia (4-3-0) is riding high on a four-game winning streak, but did not see action last weekend. Wisconsin-Eau Claire (7-0-1) is currently fourth in the nation and most recently tied with St. Norbert. This is the only series I’m not going to call as a MCHA sweep, but I think the rookie roster at Concordia will earn a split. Wisconsin-Eau Claire 4-2, Concordia 3-2
