Happy New Year!
With the calendar flipping to 2015, it also signifies the second half of the season, the time when two points on a nightly basis means more than ever as teams start to jockey for playoff positioning.
This weekend, a handful of ranked teams take the ice, with Candace and Matt making their picks for what promises to be a sound weekend of action.
No. 9 Adrian hosts a tournament, and the Codfish Bowl is being held in Boston. Adrian will be joined by St. Olaf, Connecticut College and Williams, while Massachusetts-Boston, Stevenson, Chatham and Canton take part in the Codfish Bowl.
Friday/Saturday, Jan. 2-3
Codfish Bowl and Adrian Tournament
Candace: I’ll pick Adrian to win its home tournament, beating Williams 3-2 on Friday and then beating St. Olaf in the final 4-2. I’ll take Mass.-Boston to win the Codfish Bowl, beating Canton 4-1 Friday and Chatham 3-2 Saturday.
Matt: I think home cooking suits Adrian at its event and the Bulldogs get two wins pretty handily. Out East, again, I see the home team picking up two victories, but look for Chatham to make some noise. Just a hunch.
No. 8 St. Thomas vs. Bowdoin and Trinity
Candace: Somehow, I think that St. Thomas will lose one here. Bowdoin 3-2, St. Thomas 3-1
Matt: St. Thomas is coming off a loss to Concordia (Minn.) in its last game on Dec. 6, so getting back in the win column is of the highest priority. Not only do the Tommies beat Bowdoin Friday night, but also knock off Trinity on Saturday afternoon.
Saturday, Jan. 4
No. 4 Middlebury at No. 2 Elmira
Candace: This could be one of the best games of the year, but I like home ice. Elmira 3-2
Matt: Probably the marquee matchup of the weekend. The two teams have just three losses combined (Elmira is 9-1-0, Middlebury is 5-2-0) and this may shape up to be a goalie battle between Elmira’s Kelcey Crawford and Middlebury’s Madeline Marsh. I see a one-goal game with Elmira coming away with the ‘W.’
