Another week goes by where I blow the picks in league games, but do well in the nonconference play. Maybe Santa will help me sort out the teams within the ECAC West standings, because it is a big jumble right now.
Lucky for me, all teams are in the throes of nonconference play for the next month.
In a special holiday treat this week, I’m picking all of the games through New Year’s weekend. Hopefully, all of the ECAC West teams will get everything on their Christmas list from Santa, which I’m sure includes a clean slate of victories.
Last Week: 4-3
Overall: 19-8 (.704)
{predicted winners bolded}
Friday, December 9
Trinity at Manhattanville – Home cooking usually works best for the Valiants.
Elmira at Brockport – Elmira takes on a physical Brockport squad on the road.
Morrisville at Neumann – “Morrisville is always a very hardworking, blue collar team,” said Neumann coach Dominick Dawes. “You know they are going to come in here and work their tails off. That is something that we have prided ourselves on as well. The team that works the hardest will be the team that comes out on top.”
Potsdam at Utica – Potsdam has won three of its last four games, but playing at the Aud is a different experience.
Saturday, December 10
Geneseo at Elmira -Elmira looks to continue on the “Soaring Eagles Roll.”
Hobart at Oswego – Hobart dropped its mid-week game at Buffalo State. Oswego is an even more difficult place to play, and a much better team as well.
Salve Regina at Utica – The Pioneers should have no problems in this game.
Morrisville at Neumann – Each of the last two seasons, Morrisville has won the Friday game and Neumann gets revenge on Saturday. I’m thinking history goes for the hat trick.
Manhattanville at Wesleyan – This is Manhattanville’s third game in five days. “We shorten up our practices a little bit,” said Manhattanville coach Eric Lang. “We are a four-line team using all of our personnel, and hope our conditioning work earlier in the season pays off during a week like this.”
Friday, December 30
Utica vs Castleton – Utica plays in Plattsburgh’s Cardinal Classic tournament against nationally-ranked Castleton. Tough way to come back after Christmas.
Neumann vs Hamline – Neumann gets a taste of western hockey in Oswego’s Pathfinder Bank tournament. Neumann should match up well against Hamline.
Tuesday, January 3
Amherst at Manhattanville – The Valiants start 2012 with their longest homestand of the season, five games. They need to build their resume for the NCAA post season with these games.
