Start of a New Season

Tonight marks the official start of the 2017 - 2018 college hockey season for the UMD Bulldogs.  The Bulldogs come in with a lot of holes and unknowns after losing nearly half of the team to graduation or early departures from last year.  As the NCAA runner-up the expectations are high, but it could be an up and down season.

Picks
#3 Minnesota Twin Cities @ #6 Minnesota Duluth (Ice-breaker tournament Friday game): How will the Bulldogs' goalie and defensive group play this season is the questions that needs to be answered.  Too many unknowns for me to pick them to win. The Gophers look to be strong and will get the win at AMSOIL.

Colorado College @ #RV Vermont:  The Tigers are hoping this is the season that they find something, which I think they might.  The Catamonts are also coming off a poor season as well.  I will pick a split.

#RV Ferris State vs. #20 Western Michigan (home/home):  I think the Broncos may be overrated in the preseason polls and with this being a home and home series for these two in-state rivals I am picking a split.

#11 Providence @ #RV Miami:  The Friars should be a good team again this year.  Miami is still looking to improve with a young team.  The home cooking will help the Redhawks earn a split.

#9 St. Cloud State @ #18 Minnesota State Mankato (1 game):  Both teams are projected to strong teams. Not much to go on here other than a hunch so, I am pick the Huskies with the win.

#7 North Dakota @ Alaska Anchorage:  The Fighting Hawks have much more talents than the Seawolves so unless their body clocks get thrown off they should not have a problem coming out on top.  Fighting Hawks sweep.

North Star College Cup 2017

This weekend the Bulldog get the opportunity to rekindle an old flame playing the Gophers in the North Star College Cup.  Coming into this tournament the Bulldogs are the only team that has won the Cup.  They have come close losing in a shootout in the first year of the event.  There is more on the line now that it has been announced that this is the final year.  The question has been brought up who will keep the Cup?  The Gophers who organized the event or the this years champion if it is someone other than the Gophers?

North Star College Cup

#2 Minnesota Duluth vs. #6 Minnesota Twin Cities:  The Bulldogs goaltending has been considerable better than the Gophers this year and that will carry them to victory.  UMD Win.

#20 Bemidji State vs. St. Cloud State:  The Beavers started hot but they have been a .500 team since hosting Princeton at Thanksgiving.  Blitzer has been good between the pipes.  The Huskies are very inconsistent with average goaltending.  I am picking the Beavers.  

Based on my picks, I am going with a Bulldogs victory in the championship since they have been the most consistent and best team of the group this year.  Likewise, the Gophers will beat the Huskies as well.  

#12 North Dakota @ Colorado College:  The Tigers have yet to win at home this season and the Fighting Hawks are a better road team than home will lead to a Fight Hawks sweep.

#18 Nebraska Omaha @ #3 Denver:  These should be two good games as the Mavericks have played great on the road this year.  Split.

#10 Western Michigan @ Miami:  The Broncos are for real and a very good team.  Having said that, I can't see the Broncos leaving Oxford with a season sweep, so I will go with a split.  

December 2nd Bye Weekend

The Bulldogs again have the week off to rest up for next weekend likely match up of #1 versus #2 in Denver.

#2 Denver @ Colorado College:  This is a true rivalry weekend and it would seem that home teams win, but I have a feeling that the Pioneers will get the sweep.

#17 St. Cloud State @ #16 Western Michigan:  The Broncos have found a faster pace of play this and it has resulted in great start of the season.  The Huskies goal tending and defense has been suspect this year and the Broncos are looking to pay back the thumping that the Huskies put on them last season.  Broncos sweep.

Miami @ Cornell:  Cornell is likely the better team and at home pointing to a tough go for the Redhawks.  My gut says split.

Nebraska Omaha @ Wisconsin:  The Mavericks have played well on the road this year, but the Badgers have a much improved team this year.  Split.

College Hockey Showdown at MSG (Satuday)
Boston College vs. North Dakota:  The Fighting Fighting Hawks are too inconsistent this season to pick them a winner.  Eagles win.