Men’s Hockey: This Week in Hockey East
By: Marisa Ingemi
Colorado College @ Boston College: Colorado College was swept by UMass Lowell last week, where they allowed an eight spot in the first game, but also they were able to put up five in that contest. Boston College, meanwhile, suffered a disappointing 3-1 win in Wisconsin before an 8-5 win, after a defeat of Denver the week before. Colorado College looked bad and BC has been surprisingly good for the most pat despite losing a chunk of its team to graduation. Prediction: BC wins
Sacred Heart @ BU: BU needs to rebound after being swept in Denver last week. The Terriers will play on home ice at Agganis for the first time in the regular season, and following the two defeats, BU should come out firing. Sacred Heart is an improving program, and they have defeated Merrimack once this season, but this is a good chance for the Terriers to open its home slate with a win before facing Quinnipiac. Prediction: BU wins
Colgate @ Merrimack (2): It was a rough week for Merrimack, who lost two out of conference contests. Meanwhile, Colgate was able to tie with Connecticut. The Warriors had 14 power plays in their first week and still could only score once, and while Colgate hasn’t proven to be a strong club either, the Warriors are certainly not what would be considered a playoff contender at this point, as they only have two goals all season. Prediction: Split
Maine @ Miami (2): Maine stunned hockey last weekend with a defeat of Quinnipiac, 4-3, off the heels of a two win weekend previously. The Black Bears might be the surprise of the nation so far this season, with three third period comebacks to attempt to prove they may not be the cellar dwellers they were projected to be. Prediction: Split
Penn State @ Notre Dame (2): Notre Dame split last weekend with Minnesota Duluth in two road games, and now they host the Big Ten’s Penn State for a slate of two this week. Penn State was also on the road last week, with a 7-0 thrashing of Mercyhurst. Prediction: Split
Arizona State @ Northeastern (2): Northeastern ended in a tie with Bentley, whom have not had difficulty with Hockey East opponents so far this season, before a 7-3 victory the next night. Arizona State was swept by Notre Dame the last time they played two weeks ago, and Northeastern is in need of a couple of home victories. Prediction: Notheastern sweep
Clarkson @ Providence: Clarkson split against Hockey East last weekend with a loss to UNH and a victory over Merrimack. Providence, meanwhile, was surprised by Holy Cross in overtime. Clarkson last played the Friars in 2007, and the Knights are 3-0 in their last three contests against Providence. Clarkson’s freshman goalie Jake Killey earned a shutout last week and has been performing well between the pipes. But Providence is a stronger team overall, and on the road Clarkson might struggle to get going. Prediction: Providence wins
AIC @ UConn: UConn tied twice last week with out of conference opponents. Amazingly, the Huskies are one of just two teams in the conference yet to lose this season. Meanwhile, AIC fell to Union last week 5-4. Historically, AIC has struggled, especially against Hockey East, and the Huskies are on the rise. Prediction: UConn wins
Army @ UMass: Army defeated Sacred Heart last Friday. UMass is 1-1 but Army is hardly a pushover. The Minutemen are projected to be one of the worst teams n Hockey East as they go through a rebuild, and Army has held its own this season. Atlantic Hockey has also dominated Hockey East so far this season as well. Prediction: Army wins
St Lawrence @ Lowell: St Lawence swept its Hockey East foes last week, but the River Hawks are a much tougher challenge, ranked fifth in their own right. Lowell’s offense has been surprisingly solid, and some of that may have come from playing an inferior Colorado College team last week. Prediction: UMass Lowell wins
Vermont @ Omaha (2): Omaha swept its weekend in the Alaska Goal Rush a week ago, including an OT victory over Alaska. When Vermont last took the ice, it split against Clarkson. Omaha is a much better team than the Catamounts, who might be bottom three in the conference if Maine continues to play well. Prediction: Omaha sweep.
Quinnipiac @ BU: Qunnipiac was stunned by Maine last week, and dropped to fourth in the poll. BU should pull out the victory over the Pioneers the night before, and this is the first home test for the Terriers. It will be intriguing to see how they bounce back after the Denver losses against a good team. Prediction: BU wins
BC @ Holy Cross: Could this be a trap game for the Eagles? The night after a game against Colorado College, and a few day before conference play opens up, Boston College faces a Holy Cross team that defeated No 11 Providence last week. Holy Cross has looked good, but BC is also better than maybe we expected. Prediction: Boston College wins
St Lawrence @ Providence: Both teams hit the ice after playing the night before. It might be a tough situation for Providence who face a Clarkson team that has looked good the night before. Prediction: St Lawrence wins
Clarkson @ Lowell: Clarkson stays local and the River Hawks have a home game in back to back nights. Lowell hasn’t lost to the Knights yet in this millennium. Prediction: Lowell wins
Colorado College @ UNH: New Hampshire was no match for No. 15 St Lawrence last week, and after a loss against Bentley the week before, things are not looking up for the Wildcats. Despite one win against Clarkson, UNH has struggled this season. Prediction: Colorado College wins.
BC @ Merrimack: Hockey East play officially opens on Tuesday night when the Eagles head to Merrimack to face the Warriors. Merrimack has struggled mightily even against lesser teams, and even though they will be at home, BC is a better club. Prediction: BC wins.
UMass @ Quinnipiac: Quinnipiac’s tour of the conference continues with a home contest against UMass. The Bobcats will be coming off of a tough game against BU and facing a mediocre Minuteman team. Prediction: Quinnipiac wins