Each week I will be giving quick breakdowns and predictions on each of the series. I'll do my best to track my accuracy. Enjoy.
Non-Conference
Massachusetts at Minnesota, Friday/Saturday 7:05 CT
The Gophers come into the season with something to prove. Is there a better way to start the season than with two, what should be, easy games against UMass? Not for this program. It should be an easy sweep for the maroon and gold.
Gophers: 4-2, 5-1
Rensselaer at Colorado College, Friday 8:35, Saturday 8:05 CT
RPI was picked to finish sixth in the ECAC and CC was picked to finish sixth or seventh, depending on the poll. CC needs to win some of these early games to build confidence for the season. RPI is returning it’s leading scorers from last year, though, and they’re mighty impressive. Split
CC wins Friday 3-1, RPI Saturday 3-2
St. Lawrence at Mankato, Friday 7:35, Saturday 7:05 CT
Mankato should have a pretty easy time dispensing of the predicted bottom dwellers of the ECAC. If for some reason they split. It could be signs of things to come for Mankato.
Mankato sweeps 3-2, 4-2
Denver at Vermont, Friday/Saturday 6:05 CT
This could be a good battle for the Pioneers to start their season. Vermont was picked to finish sixth, but it looks like it was a pretty close vote. I think these two teams will both be finding themselves early on. Split.
DU Friday 3-2, Vermont Saturday 4-1
Northern Michigan at Tech, Tuesday 6:05 CT
See below for the breakdown.
NMU wins 4-2
Ice Breaker Tournament (St. Louis, MO)
Boston University vs. Wisconsin, Friday 8:30 CT
BU is a middle of the pack finisher according to the preseason polls. Wisconsin lost too much fire power in the off season. It’s going to be awhile before the Badgers find themselves again.
BU wins 5-2.
Holy Cross/Notre Dame vs. Wisconsin, Sunday 12:00 or 3:00 CT
If the Badgers play Holy Cross, Badgers win 4-1.
If they play Notre Dame, they lose 3-2.
Maverick Stampede
RIT vs. St. Cloud State, Friday 4:35 CT
RIT made its first Frozen Four trip last April. St. Cloud State had its first ever NCAA win. St. Cloud’s in a much better league playing better competition nightly. I have to give it to the Huskies.
Huskies win 3-2
Clarkson at Nebraska-Omaha, Friday 7:35 CT
The coaches picked Clarkson to finish 12th in the ECAC this season after only winning nine games last season. Should be an easy win for UNO.
UNO 4-2
Clarkson vs. St. Cloud State, Saturday 4:05 CT
Last place finisher vs. a potential top three.
SCSU 5-1
RIT at Nebraska-Omaha, Saturday 7:05 CT
I’m going to give RIT the edge here and give them the upset.
RIT 2-1
Superior Showcase
Michigan Tech at Northern Michigan, Friday 6:35 CT
NMU should field a decent team this year after having made the NCAA tournament last season. They’ve been picked to finish anywhere from fourth to sixth. Tech, on the other hand, will be on the bottom of the WCHA this season. Northern Michigan should win this one.
NMU wins 3-1
Duluth at Lake Superior, Friday 6:05 CT
LSU doesn’t a ton of scoring punch, but does have, what looks to be, decent goaltending. With Duluth’s returning firepower I don’t think LSU has a chance to win this, though.
UMD wins 5-2
Duluth at Northern Michigan, Saturday 6:35 CT
NMU looks to be bringing back its leading scorers from the previous season. They should be able to give Duluth some fits. I think home ice will play into this game.
NMU wins 3-2
Tech at Lake Superior, Saturday 6:05 CT
A battle of the bottom feeders. Who will win?
Tech wins 2-1
Kendall Hockey Classic
North Dakota at Anchorage, Friday (Saturday) 12:05am CT
Do I need to say anything here, really? Should be an easy one for the Sioux. Sorry Seawolves fans.
Sioux win 5-0
North Dakota vs. Alaska, Saturday 8:05 CT
Alaska was picked to finish fifth in the CCHA this year. I think they could give the Sioux some trouble, but not enough.
Sioux win 3-1
Air Force at Anchorage, Saturday 11:05 CT
There’s not a lot of firepower left for the Falcon’s. Anchorage is missing one of its better defenseman in LaFranchise for the first half of the season. It’s a tough call here, but I have to give it to the team from Atlantic Hockey.
Air Force wins 3-2
