Well, it's been a crazy week in for the St. Cloud State Huskies this week. It feels like the bottom dropped out on us. We lost two players this week and one the week before. On December 26th, freshman forward Bryce Johnson left the team to return to the USHL. The of this is to get more playing time. He will be returning to the Huskies next season. Now we get to the juicy stuff. SCSU finally won two games in a week(end) last week at the Florida College Hockey Classic. They won their first against Cornell by erasing a three goal deficit and winning in OT. Their second win came against Miami (OH) in the title game where they got down by one goal, but tied it less than a minute later and never surrendered a lead to them again.
It must've been a huge win to the guys because a few of them decided to purchase some alcohol. Yes, they were all of legal age to drink, but that doesn't change the fact that team rules don't allow them to do so on road trips. It's pretty simple stuff. Two of those players ended up being kicked off of the team, Chris Hepp and Tony Mosey. The third player is suspended, David Eddy. I'm not sure of the details of what happened, but am fairly certain it was an alcohol related incident.
I'm not sure what the impact of these players will be. Hepp was a regular defenseman and Mosey put up 40 points last season but has done very little this season. In my opinion, Hepp wasn't that great of a defenseman for us last, but he did look better this season, coughing the puck up less than last. Mosey, on the other hand, is not the same player this year that he was last year. I don't know if it's a lack of motivation, or just not wanting to be here, but he's played like crap for the better part of this season. He has the skills to be an elite player, but hasn't put them to use this season, so I don't think he's going to be a huge loss.
Now, to get to some other news. Both Denver and Duluth lost defensemen over the Christmas/New Years break. William Wrenn, of Denver, decided it was best for him to continue his career in the WHL as we wasn't getting the kind of ice time he would like. UMD's Dylan Olsen decided to sign the Chicago Blackhawks of the NHL. Wrenn doesn't appear to be a big loss, but Olsen does. He has a good amount of points for a defenseman and was pretty solid defensively for the Dogs.
Now, on to the picks. Last week I finished 9-9 with one score picked correctly. That's not bad considering some of the let-downs some teams had and the upsets others pulled off, i.e. Omaha being swept by Quinnipiac, Mankato beating Notre Dame at the Shillelagh tourney, SCSU upsetting Miami in FL, and Bemidji taking down Ferris State and Union. Overall, my record is 85-69 on the season. Not bad when you consider the unpredictability of this league.
Conference Games
Tech @ SCSU, Friday/Saturday 7:07
This is a must sweep weekend for SCSU. Right now they are sitting in 11th place in the league with two games in hand over the rest of the league. A sweep this weekend puts them in eighth place in the league. Tech is on a 13 game losing streak right now and appears to be very beatable. However, given the fact that SCSU lost three players, and their catalyst from last weekend is suspended for the series, this could prove to be difficult for the Huskies of SCSU. I still have to go with the better team here. SCSU sweeps.
SCSU 5-2, 4-3
Non-conference Games
BSU @ Alabama-Hunstville, Friday 7:05, Saturday 3:05
This here is a renewal of a CHA rivalry. I haven't seen UAH play at all, but they have only won one game this season. They are playing an independent schedule because the CCHA won't let them into their league. Bemidji is playing unbelievable well right now. They're getting some unreal goaltending as Dan Bakala is on fire right now winning five of his last seven starts. He's had two shutouts and given up a total of nine goals in those seven games. If he can stay hot, expect the Beavers to stay hot. Beavers sweep.
Beavers 3-1, 4-2
Canisius @ UW, Friday/Saturday 7:07
Canisius is one of those Atlantic Hockey schools that the WCHA doesn't seem to have a problem dispatching on a regular basis. UW should have no problem taking the down. UW sweeps.
UW 4-2, 3-2
American International @ MSUM, Friday 7:37, Saturday 7:07
Again, this is an Atlantic Hockey schools and Mankato should have no problem dispatching them with the way that they're playing right now. Mankato sweep.
Mankato 5-3, 4-3
Robert Morris @ UND, Friday 7:37, Saturday 7:07
Do I even need to say anything. UND will have no problem with these guys. UND sweep.
UND 6-2, 4-1
