SUNYAC teams will all be going on holiday hiatus after this weekend, and each of them would love to hit the break feeling jolly. There will be just one conference tilt on tap — Geneseo at Brockport on Friday — but with that plus a few nonconference tilts carrying big-time implications, visions of sugar plums won’t be dancing in anyone’s heads just yet. (Last week’s picks: 0-3).
Friday, Dec. 7
Geneseo at Brockport: Well rested (just two games on the sked between Nov. 17 and Jan 5) as they are, the Gennies can keep pace with conference elitists Oswego and Plattsburgh with a win over their travel partner. Brockport is enmeshed in a four-game losing skid, but if they can keep matters low scoring, they’ve got a chance. Geneseo 4-2
No. 1 Norwich at No. 7 Plattsburgh
There is plenty of history between these teams, including two years back in the NCAAs. Nobody plays a more methodical game than the Cadets, who are the class of New England. The Cardinals have an opportunity to knock off two top-ranked teams in succession. Something says they will do just that. Plattsburgh 2-1
Saturday, Dec. 8
No. 2 Oswego at No. 5 Hobart
Oswego should be plenty grumpy after suffering its first loss of the season (to No. 7 Plattsburgh). That setback left Hobart as one of just four unbeatens (with Bowdoin, Norwich, and Adrian) remaining in the country. Home ice tilts this one toward the Statesmen. Hobart 3-2
