The action is winding down heading into the holidays, but the remaining matchups all have some intrigue among the ranked and unranked still playing. With the light schedule comes some appropriately sized picks as I try to stay in the flow of consistent winners to close out the semester.
My weekly picks finished last week at 10-3-2 (.733) with the postponement of the Cortland v. Oswego game not counting on the final tally. To date, my season numbers are 50-23-4 (.675) which is very solid considering the many games among ranked teams where I have been on target. It has been a lot of fun with the first half, and it would be great to cap it off with a 5-0 week – here are this week’s picks for the east:
Thursday, December 12, 2024
Westfield State v. Assumption
This Greyhounds are coming off a tough weekend in conference play so the best way to rebound is take out the frustrations on the next opponent. Well, hello Owls – hope you are ready for an offensive barrage – Assumption, 5-2
Friday, December 13, 2024
Johnson & Wales v. Anna Maria
This game finds a Wildcat squad that has trouble scoring goals facing an AmCats squad that has found them in bunches excluding the Worcester State game. Home ice has been a very nice place for Anna Maria and Friday night produces a solid home win – AMC, 4-1
University of New England v. Southern Maine
This battle between Maine institutions should be very entertaining. The Nor’easters have a deep group and the constant pressure on the Huskies produces some Grade A opportunities that the visitors take advantage of on the scoreboard – UNE, 5-2
(12) Hamilton v. Nazareth
This Continentals may not be paying attention to the rankings but last weekend’s convincing wins helped put them there. Nothing better to head to the break on than a win on the road and goaltender Charlie Archer makes sure the offense doesn’t need a lot of goals to pick up the win – Hamilton, 3-1
(6) Trine v. Buffalo State
The Bengals are currently atop the SUNYAC standings and are finishing the semester with a very challenging two-game series against a highly ranked opponent in the Thunder who knocked St. Norbert from the unbeaten ranks. Not sure how many students are still on campus for generating in-rink atmosphere, but the Bengals drop a close one to close the semester – Trine, 5-3
The semester break is here so I will be off the posting for a couple of weeks until the New Year. Best wishes to all for the holiday season and looking forward to a great 2025 – “Drop the Puck!”
