It is already the final week in January, so the home stretch is officially upon all teams and conference play is now everything in terms of points and position for playoff seeding. The picks for last week may be a confidence boosting jump start for me coming into February as I finished at 5-2-0 (.714) … Read more
The weekend in review… EAST WRAP – Tim Costello ECAC Northeast Just four points separate the top five teams in the conference after a weekend that saw contender battles tighten things up at the top. Endicott avenged an early season overtime loss by knocking off Nichols on home ice by a 5-3 score behind two … Read more
The level of competition across all of the conferences has simply been outstanding. No, I am not saying that in any way to justify my picks being just over the .500 mark in recent weeks. The old adage of any team being able to win on any given night is the reality these days and … Read more
The college hockey season is flying by and it’s time to take a stab at making predictions for some of the games on the schedule this week. The featured game, of course, is the showdown between top-ranked St. Norbert and No. 2 Adrian. Concordia (Minn.) and Augsburg square off in a key MIAC battle and … Read more
So we are already halfway through January and the conference competition is heating up with many leaders are being challenged by teams looking to make their presence known. Nonconference games, while not worth points in the standings, are important in building a resume for national consideration, but more importantly, building a level of consistency that … Read more
We’ve reached the midway point of January and here are the picks for this week’s games. The West slate includes a nonconference showdown between Wisconsin-Eau Claire and Augsburg. Eau Claire (10-3-2) vs. Augsburg (9-4) The Auggies are one of the hottest teams in hockey, having won their last five, and they have scored at least … Read more
The good news is there are still a few weekends to start making some solid picks, including that outright upset. The bad news is it is getting harder and harder to pick those upsets as the stakes get higher in the second half for all of the teams. The picks for last week missed out … Read more
Everyone is back into the swing of the second half and so it should not be surprising that this past weekend saw a bit of everything in both league and nonconference matchups. Of course, there were the usual upsets, but also a couple of 0-0 ties, numerous and unique hat tricks from players leading their … Read more
The first full weekend of games of the New Year has arrived and several good matchups are on the horizon, including a MIAC battle between St. Thomas and St. Mary’s. St. Thomas (7-4-2, 5-1) vs. St. Mary’s (6-5-2, 3-2-1): The Tommies have won two of their last three and are playing for the first time … Read more
The sprint that is the second half schedule has officially begun and there are several intriguing nonconference matchups that could have major implications come tournament selection time on the docket this week. Of course, the conference battles are all there, too, so enjoy the great hockey that will dominate the schedule through the next couple … Read more
Happy New Year to all and what a way to welcome back the second half of play in the 2015-16 season! There were holiday tournaments aplenty and several gracious hosts who allowed invited guests to skate off with the coveted championship trophy. Only Plattsburgh held onto the title in their hosted tournament, so there were … Read more
Happy New Year! The semester break has come to an end and that means more great holiday tournament action to open 2016 in the East. The picks entering the holidays saw one of my worst weeks of the season at 2-3-2 (.429). That brings the season record down to 21-13-6 (.600) so no time like … Read more
Dear Santa, It’s almost Christmas and there are a handful of items I’d like to ask you to bring the teams in the MIAC, NCHA and WIAC. I know you are a busy man at this time of the year, but if you could help out with the following requests it would be a great … Read more
‘Tis the season to celebrate goodwill and good tidings to all and, of course, make a few requests of the jolly old elf for some presents since I am sure all of the teams and coaches have been “good boys” this year. Well, even if some might be getting the list checked over twice by … Read more
The first semester is in the books for everyone and the final weekend showcased some great nonconference matchups, along with some final conference upsets that set the tone for what will surely be a great second half run across all conferences to the national tournament in March. It is always tough to stop playing when … Read more
This is the last weekend of games before the semester break and there are some great matchups in and nonconference play this weekend to delight any and all fans. It’s the last chance to get in the holiday spirit by finishing with a win. Last week, I stumbled again with my picks at 3-3-1 (.500), … Read more
The battles in every conference have been intense and this weekend saw an opportunity for some teams to make statements about key competitors in their respective leagues. While some teams made some noise and asserted themselves, others let favorites know they aren’t going away. The last of the unbeatens has fallen and for some teams … Read more
The games are winding down in the semester, but the importance of the matchups seems to be ramping up as we enter December hockey. Last week, I stumbled with my picks at 3-3-1 (.500), which brings the season record down to 16-7-3 (.673). Like a lot of teams on the ice, I, too, am in … Read more
And then there was one. Only one unbeaten remains in D-III and the East after this past weekend’s nonconference and tournament play that saw exciting action and upsets aplenty. Standing tall after the Primelink Tournament is Plattsburgh, who technically beat Middlebury and tied Norwich in Northfield, Vt., but won the tournament in the second overtime … Read more
Happy Thanksgiving to all! For most people this week, it’s all about turkey, football and family. For some of us, this weekend is all about some great holiday hockey tournaments and nonconference matchups that don’t occur in the regular season with any great frequency. It makes the hockey exciting, but the picking of the winners … Read more