There are several big matchups in college hockey this weekend.
The biggest nonconference series is Boston University at Michigan State. The two rosters feature 35 drafted players, 22 of them taken in the first two rounds, including 11 first-round picks.
The CCHA’s top two teams also meet when unbeaten Augustana visits Michigan Tech. In the ECAC, two heavyweights collide when Quinnipiac visits Cornell on Friday night, and Western Michigan heads to Grand Forks for two games against North Dakota.
Plus, we have recaps of Thursday’s games.
Also in today’s newsletter:
My Friday picks. I’m 13-8 (61.9%) this season and up $318, which is pretty good. There are only two picks I like Friday.
The Friday viewing guide, with every game, its start time and where to watch on TV and online.
The notebook has two new U.S. Collegiate Selects additions, Joe Palodichuk’s return for Wisconsin, Nic Chin-DeGraves’ departure from Arizona State, Steve Metcalf’s addition to the oversight committee and more.
Thursday Recap: Vermont wins third in a row
Before we get to this weekend’s preview, three series began on Thursday night. Let’s recap that action.
Vermont 5, Boston College 3
The Catamounts raced out to a 3-0 lead in the first 13 minutes and survived some pushback from BC. Each team finished with just 21 shots on goal. Leo Henriquez started for the Eagles but was pulled after allowing the third goal.
Vermont has won three straight, including last weekend’s sweep of New Hampshire, and is 4-1 in Hockey East play.
UConn 6, Providence 5
UConn has played in some wild ones lately, with at least nine total goals in each of its last five games.
The Friars took a 5-4 lead early in the third period on a goal from John Mustard, but Ethan Whitcomb tied it 16 seconds later. Less than two minutes after that, Jeremy Loranger scored on the power play to put the Huskies ahead, and they held on.
Providence has lost two straight after opening the season 5-0.
Wisconsin 1, Minnesota 1 (OT)
Wisconsin’s Grady Deering was ejected for a hit from behind in the first period, and Mason Moe scored on the ensuing major, the game’s only power play, to put Minnesota ahead. Zach Wooten answered for the Badgers in the second period. Minnesota goalie Luca Di Pasquo was the star, stopping 41 of 42 shots, but Wisconsin won the shootout.
Wisconsin remains undefeated (6-0-1).
Games to Watch: BU visits Michigan State in the weekend’s marquee nonconference series
Boston University at Michigan State
Friday, 7 p.m. ET (BTN+)
Saturday, 4:30 p.m. ET (BTN+)
Without a doubt, this is the weekend’s premier nonconference series, just as it was last season, when Michigan State swept the teams’ two-game set at Agganis Arena.
The two teams are eerily similar: young, super talented forwards and defensemen, plus exceptional goaltending to start the season.
Let’s start with BU. Its offense has been a little front-loaded, with Tynan Lawrence scoring seven goals, but some of the freshmen are starting to look more comfortable at the NCAA level. Caleb Malhotra had his best weekend as a Terrier last weekend, and after a slow start, he has four points in his last three games.
On defense, I thought freshmen Haoxi “Simon” Wang and Xavier Villeneuve both had their best games of the season Saturday night against Maine.
Michigan State’s offense has been propped up by Anthony Romani, who also has seven goals.
I mean, not only does each team have one forward carrying the offense, but both of those forwards have seven goals. Like I said, there are a lot of similarities.
And just like at BU, some of Michigan State’s freshman studs have been coming into their own in recent weeks. Chase Reid was a rock star against North Dakota, with two assists in 23 minutes of ice time. Cayden Lindstrom, who has been beleaguered by injuries the last two seasons, some of which he played through, scored the winner against the Fighting Hawks on Saturday.
The series also has serious NPI implications, at least for the Big Ten’s and Hockey East’s nonconference records.
Overall, it will feature as many as 35 drafted players (18 for BU and 17 for Michigan State) and 22 were drafted in the first two rounds, including 11 first-rounders, nine of them on Michigan State’s roster.
A lot has been made of college hockey and national television … and this feels like a series NHL Network, or someone, should have picked up. It would have a lot of market value, not just in the U.S. but across Canada.
