The first few weeks have found some teams off to a fast start and still others finding themselves. Now everybody is in the full swing of season play, including the defending national champions from Trinity, along with the rest of the NESCAC. A few upsets, a few statement games and now fewer unbeatens after this … Read more
Rivalry games, battles of unbeatens, revenge games, and finally the last conference to join regular season play are all on the menu this weekend. Last week, I finished at 4-1-0 (.800), which brings the season total to 9-3-1 (.731). Not a bad start, but not resting on any laurels, nor picking less challenging games this … Read more
Streaks are important. On a winning streak, you just want to keep building momentum. On a losing streak, well, something has to change and early in the season there are teams facing both sides of the streak equation looking for better hockey leading to continued or better results. Definitely starting to both sides of the … Read more
EAST PICKS Pivotal matchups this week among prospective challengers for league titles are headlining the schedule. While it may be early in the campaign, there is nothing like sending a message to your biggest rival and taking an important two points. Last week saw a 3-1-0 (.750) record, which brings the season to 5-2-1 (.688), … Read more
Lots of conference games this week that certainly exemplify the level of competitiveness across the East and all of the leagues with games under way. Some great individual performances, terrific games and of course, surprises are all part of last weekend, so here are some of the highlights along with my “weekend biscuits” (pucks) for … Read more
Our West columnist Brian Lester is back this week with his picks for the weekend in Division III circles. Concordia (Minn.) at St. John’s It’s an early season showdown between two teams that should be among the best in the league. Charlie Aus leads the Cobbers with a goal and two assists. Alex Reichle has allowed … Read more
MASCAC joins the fray this week with conference games and therefore the Thursday night pick to start the weekend. Last week saw a 2-1-1 (.625) record in the opening week of predictions. Didn’t pick any cupcakes in the first week and this week continues the trend in finding four key matchups in the East. Here … Read more
While not everyone was playing meaningful games over the weekend, there were a few trick or treat results in both the East and West over the weekend with some teams enjoying the treats and others not so happy being tricked. Here is a quick summary of the action: ECAC Northeast Johnson and Wales opened the … Read more
Another hockey season has arrived and it’s time to make a few predictions for the games taking place during the first weekend of the season St. Thomas vs. Augsburg: The Tommies begin life without Drew Fielding in goal, but still have the talent to be a contender for the MIAC championship. Willie Faust is one … Read more
Well here we are – Week 1 and what a schedule to open the season with great conference and nonconference matchups on the schedule, starting with Game 1 of the season. I will be picking four games a week and will not avoid the most challenging matchups in an attempt to make my record look … Read more
It’s here – the 2015 national title game. So who hoists the hardware at the end of Saturday night? Only one of our columnists will get bragging rights later this evening. Dan Hickling Trinity 5, Wisconsin-Stevens Point 4 The Bantams bring the championship back East for the first time in five years. Brian Lester Wisconsin-Stevens … Read more
Who gets to the men’s Division III Frozen Four? Dan and Brian have ideas… Brian Lester Adrian (24-3-3) vs. Trinity (23-3-1): The Bulldogs and Bantams have never met on the ice. The Bulldogs have won 12 consecutive games and are the hottest team in the nation. They are in the final four for the first … Read more
Adrian moved one step closer to a national championship Saturday night, holding off fourth-ranked Oswego State 5-4 in a thrilling quarterfinal showdown at the Arrington Ice Arena. The second-ranked Bulldogs are headed to the final four for the first time since 2011 when they finished as the national runner-up. Their next challenge is Trinity in … Read more
Three preliminary games were played this past weekend to kick off the men’s Division III national tournament. Oswego 6, Hobart 1 – A Laker win was no surprise, but the lopsided margin of it certainly was. Clutching a slim, 1-0 lead after the first period, Oswego blew the doors off the cooler early in the … Read more
With the NCAA Division III men’s tournament starting this weekend with three first-round games, Dan and Brian try to look to late Saturday night and see who the winners of those games will be. DAN HICKLING Oswego @ Hobart – Oswego 4, Hobart 2. The Lakers are tourney tested and have five straight Frozen Four appearances … Read more
Nine championship games. Nine champions crowned. That was the name of this past weekend across men’s Division III hockey. ECAC EAST – It took a three-goal rally featuring Nick Pichette’s overtime game-winner, but defending East champion Norwich managed to pull out a 3-2 victory over Babson to take its first league tournament crown since 2012. … Read more
Nine conference tournament champions will be crowned this weekend at sites across the country. Yes, like Jeffrey Jones’ character said in “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off,” trophies will be handed out “nine times” this weekend. But which teams garner the glory? Let’s see what our columnists have to say. ECAC EAST No. 3 Babson (19-5-3, 12-4-2) … Read more
Lots went down in the Division III conference tournaments last weekend, so let’s get right to it. ECAC EAST – Top-seeded (in the conference) and top-ranked (in the nation) Norwich edged Castleton 2-1 in a semifinal clash. Tallies by Dmitry Ermakov and Bryce Currier gave Cadet goaltender Ty Reichenbach all the goal support he would … Read more
This is when Dan and Brian really hope that magic 8-ball works wonders as they pick the nine conference tournaments in men’s Division III. BRIAN LESTER MIAC St. Thomas vs. Hamline: I’m picking Hamline to knock off Augsburg in the quarterfinal game, which means the Pipers will battle the Tommies on the road Saturday in … Read more
The regular season is in the books. Now the fun starts. Last weekend was full of action: ECAC EAST – The East got a week’s jump on the playoffs, and with three nationally-ranked teams among its number, no upsets were expected. And none were pulled off, for that matter. Top seed Norwich ousted No. 8 … Read more