Game picks by USCHO writers
It’s straight up conference play this coming weekend throughout the west region of NCAA Division III hockey. In the MIAC, one of the highlights is St. Scholastica’s series with Saint John’s. Both teams are unbeaten in WIAC play. UW-Stout is off to a hot start and faces two tough tests while Adrian hits the road … Read more
Finally, a few things to check the box on this season! NESCAC opening their season, check. Picking a Thursday slate of games correctly, check. Beating a 70% success rate on picks, check. It is after all, only week number four of the season but based on the regular upsets, weekend splits in series with no … Read more
It’s the middle of the November and the matchups are interesting to say the least. UW-Eau Claire and Augsburg face off in a key non-conference game that could have tourney implications down the road. And one of the biggest surprises of the season, UW-Stout, takes on Lake Forest as it looks to stay unbeaten. Check … Read more
Well, it is week three of the season and while some early power teams have emerged, last week’s results and my picks clearly showed that every game is up for grabs. I finished last week with a sub-par performance going 4-6-0 (.400) which puts the season total at 10-10-2 (.500). That rate is coin flip … Read more
November has arrived and the hockey season is just getting ramped up. Some teams are playing for the first time this week while others already have a couple of games under their belts. One of the more interesting matchups will be Saint John’s taking on UW-Eau Claire and Aurora facing off against Trine. Here are … Read more
The week two matchups bring a lot of conference intrigue along with teams looking to get on track after a tough set of opening games. Last week I opened the season with a 6-4-2 record (.583) which is above average but not stellar by any standard. This week sees some pivotal early season games in … Read more
Hello hockey fans. It’s time for another season. And you can’t ask for anything better than a couple of matchups on the opening weekend that are worthy of being played late in March. Reigning champ Adrian battles Utica, the last team to beat Adrian, and UW-Stevens Point squares off with St. Norbert in a huge … Read more
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