By Ryan Stieg
After a mediocre performance in Week 5, and frankly, sort of a depressing work week last week, I really needed a boost going into Week 6 and a perfect week might’ve done the trick.
Well, I wasn’t perfect, but I came close as I went 2 for 3 during Week 6. Michigan Tech picked up a sweep over Ferris State and Bemidji State and Augustana split out in Sioux Falls, so I’m feeling a little better heading into Week 7.
Will I go perfect this time? It’s hard to say as once again, there’s only three games to predict and that increases my chances of going in reverse after starting to move in the right direction. This week includes the rare Thursday game and a special event out in Michigan, so it’s an interesting slate. Here we go. Let’s get started with a Thursday-Saturday matchup in the heart of the Twin Cities.
Bemidji State vs. No. 3 Minnesota (Thursday at Minneapolis, Saturday at Bemidji)
St. Thomas got to play with the Golden Gophers last month and now, the Beavers get their shot. Hopefully, their games will be a little more competitive and if they stay out of the penalty box, they probably will be. Bemidji outlasted Augie Friday, but then got thumped on Saturday, so it’s now had three straight splits this season. The Beavers are consistent in that regard, but I think that streak will come to an end against the Gophers. Minnesota sweeps the series, winning 4-2 Thursday and 5-2 Saturday.
Lake Superior State vs. Ferris State (Friday at Sault Ste. Marie, Saturday at Traverse City)
Let’s start with the Lakers, who just steamrolled rival Northern Michigan last week by a combined score of 10-1. Two LSSU players (Nate Schweitzer and Rorke Applebee) earned CCHA Player of the Week honors as well, so the Lakers are confident coming into a special weekend. Ferris, on the other hand, was swept last weekend and has now lost five in a row. It’s tempting to pick a Lake State sweep as it is looking like the better team right now, but I think it’ll be a split as the Bulldogs gut out a win during the first college hockey game ever in Traverse City. The Lakers win 4-3 at home, but Ferris wins 3-2 in TC.
Northern Michigan at No. 16 Minnesota State
I said it at the start of the season that it was going to be a long year in Marquette and I think it’s pretty clear I was correct. The Wildcats were a disaster last week and are sitting at 1-9 in mid-November. NMU desperately needs to get out of the ditch, but it won’t be easy this week as it travels to southern Minnesota where the Mavericks are sitting pretty. Mankato took five out of six points from St. Thomas last week and rallied from a two-goal deficit in the third period Friday, scoring four straight goals to shock the Tommies. The ‘Cats have had some luck surprising the Mavs in the past, but I don’t think it’ll happen this week. Mankato sweeps the series, winning 4-1 Friday and 6-2 Saturday.