First off, hope everyone enjoyed their Thanksgiving. It’s the holiday season, which means tournaments galore at every level off college hockey, but the one game I’m focused on this weekend in a clash between the top two MASCAC teams on Saturday.
Salem State currently sits at 4-0, 2-0 in MASCAC play, while UMass-Darmouth has gotten off to a 3-1-1 start, including a 1-0-1 mark in conference play.
The Vikings were a trendy pick to be atop the conference, while the Corsairs are looking to rebound following their first losing season in over thirty years. A win would separate Salem State from the rest of the pack, while a win from the Corsairs’ standpoint would leap them over the Vikings into first place and put break a deadlock with Worcester State, who has an identical 1-0-1 record and has garnered three points in MASCAC play. It should be a close one, but I like Salem State to retain perfection on the road against the Corsairs. Salem State 4, UMass-Dartmouth 3.
A slew of ECAC Northeast teams are taking place in holiday tournaments. Here’s a rundown of what’s on tap for the weekend.
Bowdoin/Colby Faceoff
Host Bowdoin will kick off the tournament facing the US Under 18 team on Saturday, while Suffolk draws Colby (alama mater of my alma mater’s head coach, Northeastern’s Greg Cronin) Saturday at noon. They’ll then face No.4 Bowdoin Sunday. A tough weekend for the Rams. Colby 4, Suffolk 2; Bowdoin 5, Suffolk 3
Castleton Invitational
Becker at Castleton: ECAC East opponent Castleton is off to a 2-0 start for the first time in program history. Look for that to continue, and Becker to take the consolation game against Brockport, who is facing Tufts in the opener. Castleton 4, Becker 2; Becker 3, Brockport 2
PAL Cup
Salve Regina will join UMass-Boston, University of New England and host Southern New Hampshire in the PAL Cup.
The Seahawks are still looking for their first win, and it likely won’t come against UMass-Boston, although I like them to take down host Southern New Hampshire in the consolation game. UMass-Boston 6, Salve Regina 4; Salve Regina 5, Southern New Hampshire 3
Sunday, November 28
Nichols at Babson: Nichols 4, Babson 3
Wesleyan at Wentworth: Wentworth 5, Wesleyan 4
Midweek Recap
I went 5-3 with my midweek picks, pushing my overall record to 19-15.
Western New England gave No. 11 Manhattanville all they could handle in a 7-6 loss, while Worcester State tied Plymouth State 3-3, and Curry picked up its first win of the year against Tufts. Here’s what happened in the rest of the action.
Tuesday, Nov. 23
New England College 9, Salve Regina 0
Suffolk 8, Southern Hampshire 1
Williams 3, Westfield State 1
UMass-Boston 4, Framingham State 2
Babson 3, UMass-Dartmouth 1
