I feel as if momentum is on my side as I enter the third week of making picks for men’s hockey games in the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. Through two weeks, I am 10-8. The trick now is to keep momentum on my side, which is never easy in a league where any team can be beaten on any given night.
I’ll roll the dice this week and see how things play out. So without further hesitation, it’s time to make my picks.
Friday, Nov. 16
Concordia at Bethel
The Royals have played well lately, coming through with a sweep of Gustavus, and you have to believe they can keep it going, especially having the luxury of playing at home against Concordia. The thing about the Cobbers is they will compete as they have so far this season. It’s going to be close, but I give the edge to the Royals. Bethel 3-2
St. Thomas at Gustavus
The Tommies haven’t lost yet in league play, and that won’t change in this encounter against the Gusties. The loss to Wis.-Stout obviously hurt St. Thomas, but it looked good in a sweep of St. John’s, and should play well enough defensively to grind out a victory. St. Thomas 4-2
St Olaf at Hamline
Hamline is still searching for that elusive first win. The Pipers were smashed by St. Mary’s over the weekend as they struggled on both ends of the ice. St. Olaf hasn’t played lights-out hockey, but it hasn’t been bad, earning a split with Concordia last weekend. I’m going to go out on a limb and say Hamline pulls off the surprising victory at home. Hamline 2-1
Saturday, Nov. 17
Concordia at Bethel
Playing at home for the second straight night will serve the Royals well as they find a way to complete a sweep of the Cobbers and remain in at least a tie for first place in the conference. Bethel 4-3
Augsburg at St. John’s
The Johnnies were aggressive when it came to shooting the puck in their series against St. Thomas, and if they can keep that going and get back to converting on power-play chances against a team that has been good at defending it, they should be able to nail down their first league win. St. John’s 5-3
Gustavus at St. Thomas
The Gusties are still one of the better teams in the league, even if their record doesn’t indicate as much, and it’s hard to imagine them falling to 0-4 in the MIAC. The Gusties will bounce back by getting their offense going and skate to a big victory on the road. Gustavus 5-4
Hamline at St. Olaf
The Oles have played very tough early in the season and won’t allow themselves to be swept by the Pipers. They will get the job done defensively to pull out a win over Hamline at home. St. Olaf 3-1
Wednesday, Nov. 21
Concordia at Wisconsin-Superior
This a tough road test for any team, and I would be very surprised if the Cobbers found a way to get a win against the Yellow Jackets. Wis.-Superior has won five consecutive games and has given up two goals or less four times during that stretch. The win streak will hit six in this game. Wis.-Superior 5-2
Thursday, Nov. 22
St. Olaf at Williams
Williams will only be playing its third game of the year when it battles the Oles, and that should play into St. Olaf’s favor. Williams lost one of its top scorers and a four-year starter in goal, and if the Oles can take advantage of some opportunities early, they will be pick up a nice road win. St. Olaf 4-2
