It’s the New Years portion of the Holiday Tournament season, with several intriguing matchups in store:<\/p>\n
Salem State Ice Hockey Classic (Salem, Mass.)<\/p>\n
When: December 27 & 28<\/p>\n
Who: Salem State (host), Salve Regina, Penn State, Bowdoin<\/p>\n
Outlook: Club powerhouse Penn State will take on the host Vikings in the first round. Bowdoin won this tournament last year with a win over Salem State in the finals, and I expect the same result this time.<\/p>\n
Codfish Bowl (Boston, Mass.)<\/p>\n
When: December 29 & 30<\/p>\n
Who: Mass-Boston (host), Fitchburg State, Westfield State, Suffolk<\/p>\n
Outlook: The 44th annual version of the Codfish features new kids on the block Westfield State (which is off to an impressive 7-2-1 start) against the host Beacons in the semifinals. I think the winner of that game takes the tourney.<\/p>\n
Assumption Holiday Classic (Worcester, Mass.)<\/p>\n
When: December 29 & 30<\/p>\n
Who: Assumption (host), Becker, Trinity, Johnson & Wales<\/p>\n
Outlook: Trinity is the team to beat in this one, probably over J&W in the finals.<\/p>\n
St. Michael’s Invitational (Burlington, Vt.)<\/p>\n
When: January 2 & 3<\/p>\n
Who: St. Michael’s (host), Nichols, Amherst, Fitchburg State<\/p>\n
Outlook: Fitchburg State plays its second Holiday Tournament in as many weekends, but I think Amherst beats the Falcons in the semifinals and goes on to win the tournament.<\/p>\n
Pathfinder Bank Oswego Classic (Oswego, N.Y.)<\/p>\n
When: December January 2 & 3<\/p>\n
Who: Oswego (host), Augsburg, Babson, Skidmore<\/p>\n
Outlook: Not as strong a field as in the first two years of this tournament, but still a good one. I like an Oswego-Babson final with the Lakers getting the win.<\/p>\n
Cardinal Classic (Plattsburgh, N.Y.)<\/p>\n
When: January 2 & 3<\/p>\n
Who: Plattsburgh (host), Wesleyan, Castleton, Williams<\/p>\n
Outlook:\u00a0 There are two sets of Cardinals in this one, and they square off in the semifinals. I think the Plattsburgh Cards beat the Wesleyan Cards, and then defeat Williams in the finals.<\/p>\n
Times-Argus Invitational (Northfield, Vt.)<\/p>\n
When: January 2 & 3<\/p>\n
Who: Norwich (host), Gutavus Adolphus, Elmira, Neumann<\/p>\n