“Punxsutawney Phil” may be telling us of an early spring or six more weeks of winter come Sunday, but he won’t be telling any teams how much time is left in their season as the calendar month turns to February. The only way to ensure longevity and more meaningful hockey games is to win. Pivotal conference battles are everywhere and while there are some teams with comfortable point spreads in the standings, all can change with either a very good weekend or a really poor one. Scoreboard watching is everywhere from coaches to players and fans, and especially amongst the teams trying to take care of their own business and hoping to get some help in other matchups.
Last week my picks finished at 10-1-1 (.875) which was one of my most productive slates so far this season. Like the good teams that are looking to separate themselves, my picks must do the same heading down the final month of the regular season. Overall, my season numbers moved in a very positive direction at 88-42-7 (.698) which now means that a 70% success rate is very much attainable if I stay consistent. Here are this week’s game picks for the east:
Thursday, January 30, 2024
Neumann v. Wilkes
The Colonels are comfortable sitting atop the MAC standings, but ties like last week at Alvernia won’t help them keep the gap if other teams, like this week’s opponent get hot. Back on home ice to face the Knights and a fast start from Nick Swain and strong special teams help the home team eke out a nice win – Wilkes, 5-4
Salem State v. Plymouth State
The Panthers lost for the first time last week in conference and the Vikings with strong goaltending from Will Nepveu would like to help them drop another contest this week. Will Redick and a deep group of forwards will challenge Nepveu and take a hard-fought one-goal win on home ice – PSU, 4-3
Friday, January 31, 2024
Arcadia v. Alvernia
The “A” Teams face-off against one another with the home team coming off a pair of ties with league-leading Wilkes while Arcadia looks to rebound from losses against King’s. Momentum is fickle but there were a lot of positives for the Golden Wolves last week that carry over to a nice win – Alvernia, 3-2
Suffolk v. (6) Curry
UPSET ALERT – Sure the Colonels are great on home ice in the Ice Den but goaltenders can steal games and CJ Hapward has been a very good thief for the Rams this season. Expect a low-scoring affair with Killian Rowlee or Eelis Laaksonen netting the game-winner that may take place in OT – Curry, 3-2
Norwich v. Babson
This is still one of the best rivalries in the NEHC and produces some very entertaining albeit typically low-scoring hockey. Both teams have been opportunistic offensively this season and that works out in the Beavers favor as depth and balance produce a late game-winner to keep their second-place position in the league – Babson, 2-1
Nazareth v. Chatham
The Cougars showed what they can do on a Friday night against strong competition a week ago in their win over Geneseo. Nazareth will be a more physical challenge but Nick Cyprian & Company score at even-strength to pick up a big UCHC win – Chatham, 4-3
(15) Cortland v. Buffalo State
After Tuesday’s loss to Fredonia, this one is a battle for who wants first place in the SUNYAC and that should be enough motivation for the Bengals, who want to re-establish their presence and game on home ice where they hope to be playing some more meaningful hockey through the month of February. Motivation, yes – win to the Red Dragons – Cortland, 5-4
Saturday, February 1, 2025
(5) Geneseo v. Manhattanville
The Knights are looking keep pace with Utica after their stumble at Chatham last week while the Valiants want to extend their strong play that produced a pair of wins. Visitors will be focused with Zach Purcell and Alex Dameski leading the scoring in a one-goal win – Geneseo, 3-2
Post v. St. Anselm
The Hawks are comfortably on top of the conference standings but should not take the Eagles lightly as they have produced a number of surprise wins in the NE-10 already and would love to continue their climb in the standings. A lot of goals likely in this one with the Alberti-Brackett-Burum line finding the one that counts for the win – St. Anselm, 6-5
(8) Hamilton v. (12) Trinity
They say “to be the champ you need to beat the champ” and the Continentals can’t make a bigger statement in NESCAC than sweeping their Wesleyan/Trinity weekend on the road. Luke Tchor and a deep offense will keep Devon Bobak very busy in a playoff style win for the visitors – Hamilton, 3-2
Oswego v. Plattsburgh
These rivals are both chasing Buffalo State and Cortland in the standings, so a win here means a lot. The Cardinals have been successful of late in close games including last week’s one-goal win at Amherst. A little more scoring here but same result although it takes overtime to decide a winner – Plattsburgh, 4-3
Franklin Pierce v. Keene State
The Ravens are still in search their first win of the season, so the Owls best not take this in-state opponent lightly. Chase Carney has been a complete player for the home team and he helps the Owls pick up a win in front of a very partisan home crowd – Keene State, 4-1
Going out on a limb that I see my shadow this weekend and there is at least eight more weeks of great hockey across the region. Still a long way to go with regular season conference action before tournaments and national title games. It is going to be a crazy ride – “Drop the Puck!”
