Friday, Feb. 23
Augsburg at Hamline
Hamline is having a historic season. They have the two top scorers in the country and can’t seem to do anything wrong. They’ve also got one of the best goalies behind them. Augsburg was unbeaten over the final seven games of the regular season. These teams are about as close as two can be, and it’s not going to be easy for either to eke out the win. I’m taking Hamline at home here, but this might be the most exciting game of the weekend. Hamline 3-2
Friday-Saturday, Feb. 23-24
Wisconsin-Superior at No. 10 Wisconsin-Eau Claire
Wisconsin-Superior is the lower seed, but they had the BluGolds’ number during the regular season, earning two wins and a tie. The Stingers average more goals scored per game than the BluGolds, but also allow more — a full goal more per game. The Stingers are leading the country in penalty minutes and will need to keep that in check. I expect Wisconsin-Eau Claire to emerge here. I think they’ll split the two full games, with Wis.-Eau Claire winning game one and Wis.-Superior winning game two. The BluGolds take the mini game. Wis.-Eau Claire 3-1, Wis.-Superior 4-2, Wis.-Eau Claire 1-0 (mini-game)
St. Norbert at Lake Forest
Lake Forest is the second-most offensively potent team in the country, averaging more than fives goals a game. It’s difficult for any team to keep up with that, and I don’t see that changing for St. Norbert. In addition, the Foresters are on an eight-game win streak. That momentum, paired with their scorers, will be too difficult to slow down. The Foresters win in two games. Lake Forest 4-1, 3-1
Saturday, Feb. 24
Williams at No. 9 Amherst
Amherst was 2-1-1 in the month of February, but they had two convincing wins over Williams at the end of January and should take this matchup. It may be closer if it were a three-game series, but in a one-off meeting, I take Amherst. Amherst 4-2
