Game picks by USCHO writers
The end of the exhibition season is upon us and while the action was exciting it hasn’t counted just yet. Thankfully, the official puck drop to the new season is upon us this weekend and, WOW, what a slate of games with a few top-ranked teams playing each other. Tournament action is also on tap … Read more
By Brian Lester Championship weekend is here in the west region of NCAA Division III hockey, and among the matchups is a top five showdown between Adrian and St. Norbert. Those rivals will play for the NCHA tournament crown on Saturday night. Two other top 10 teams are in action as well. Augsburg, ranked fourth … Read more
Tournament play gets underway in the WIAC and NCHA while the MIAC will wrap up its regular season this weekend, though the regular-season championship has already been decided as Augsburg clinched it last weekend. The Auggies play Saint John’s in their final series, and that should be an interesting one as the Johnnies are still … Read more
It’s not a national championship game, but it’s close. Adrian and St. Norbert square off in a battle of top five teams to highlight the mid-February slate in the west region of NCAA Division III hockey. Several other ranked teams are in action, including fourth-ranked Augsburg and No. 14 Aurora. A lot is still left … Read more
We enter the month of February, and as expected, the conference races are heating up. The spotlight appears to be on the NCHA this weekend where two key matchups are set to take place. Adrian and Aurora will go at it in a battle of nationally ranked teams while MSOE is hoping to make a … Read more
If you are looking for a matchup where a statement can be made, look no further than Trine’s series with nationally ranked St. Norbert this weekend. The Thunder are just outside the top 15 in the DCU/USCHO NCAA Division III men’s poll and can catapult itself into it with a couple of wins over the … Read more
It’s that time of the year where conference play is officially in full swing and every game down the stretch factors into a team’s title hopes. Among the key matchups this weekend is a battle between UW-Stevens Point and UW-River Falls in the WIAC while Adrian and St. Norbert both try to keep things rolling. … Read more
Most of the games scheduled for this weekend are expected to take place, though there are a few canceled games.Still, hockey is being played as the 2021-22 season rolls on, and let’s take a look at some of the games. Friday Saint Mary’s (4-8-1) at UW-Stout (4-10) The Cardinals haven’t had it easy this year, … Read more
While several games have been postponed due to COVID-19 issues, there are still some games on the schedule, including a showdown of nationally ranked teams featuring UW-Stevens Point and Augsburg on Saturday night. The postponed games highlights the uncertainty that still exists in the sports world amid the pandemic, but one thing is for certain, … Read more
As 2021 comes to an end, one final weekend of hockey is on tap, including a Top 15 DCU/USCHO Men’s Division III poll matchup between Augsburg and Adrian. Can’t ask for a better way to end the year than that. Several other games are on the slate as well and here is a look at … Read more
Welcome to the last weekend of college hockey before Christmas. Time sure does fly when you are having fun and we have a handful of games on tap for the weekend, some of which I have made picks on. That includes a big non-conference game among nationally ranked teams as Adrian takes on Wilkes. Dec. … Read more
December is here and conference play is going full swing in the west region of D-III West hockey. Among the highlights is a matchup featuring red-hot Augsburg taking on Concordia in a pivotal MIAC battle. Adrian, Aurora and St. Norbert are all nationally ranked and will look to continue their early-season success in their respective … Read more
Thanksgiving is in the rear-view mirror as teams in the west region take aim at closing out the first full month of the season on a high note. There are a handful of interesting matchups this weekend, including a battle of nationally ranked teams in Adrian and Trinity. Take a look at some of those … Read more
The Thanksgiving Holidays always bring great D-III tournament action and this year I no different with many exciting matchups among some of the elite teams in the nation. It will be a challenge to pick winners so will focus on the first round games along with some key non-conference games. Last weekend’s picks that stumbled … Read more
League play gets into full swing this week in the west region of Division III hockey and there is no shortage of interesting matchups. Among the highlights is a key NCHA two-game series between Trine and Adrian. In the MIAC, Augsburg will aim to keep its overall unbeaten record intact and Wisconsin-River Falls and Wisconsin-Stevens … Read more
Sitting in airport waiting for a flight out of town seems like a good time to make picks for the weekend ahead in the west region of NCAA Division III hockey. There are a couple of interesting in-conference matchups, including Adrian’s two-game set with Marian, and some big non-conference games. Among them is a battle … Read more
There has been great hockey played all over New England and while the marquee games have delivered so to have all of the other contests in terms of excitement and action across the board. First week of picks was alright and last week so some improvement to 8-1-1 (.850) which makes the overall record 15-5-2 … Read more
Week No. 2 is here for teams in the west region of NCAA Division III hockey. Among the featured matchups are a two-game set between St. Norbert and Augsburg. MSOE and Saint John’s will square off as well in a key game as well while NCHA foes Lake Forest and Aurora face off in a … Read more
Well last weekend was certainly one filled with great hockey so why not expect more this weekend with some premier teams facing each other in conference play. Last week my predictions finished at 7-4-1 (.625) which isn’t a horrible start but leaves room for improvement. Like my picks I think there are already a few … Read more
Wow! It is really here! The return of DII-III hockey in New England is on tap for this weekend with a full slate of non-conference action to kickoff the 2021-2022 season. There is great excitement amongst the players, coaches, conferences, institutions and fans – and yes, even with the media covering this great sport. Conference … Read more