**********
There are a lot of great college hockey games on the schedule this weekend and the awesome news is that a handful of them are available on TV...so much so that my DVR is getting a workout tonight! Here are the details to help you decide what to watch or record.
Who: #6 Miami at St Cloud What: NCHC Where: Fox Sports North When: 8:30pm ET Why: SCSU's overall record isn't that bad, but their conference record is in desperate need of help and a win against the league-leading RedHawks would do that. Problem is the Huskies are having trouble scoring consistently and Miami is super stingy defensively with Jay Williams having their goal line on lockdown with a 1.5 GAA and .929 save percentage. On the flip side, Austin Czarnik, Riley Barber and Blake Coleman are operating at a point per game pace with Sean Kuraly and Anthony Louis - who had a solid showing for Team USA at the WJC on both ends of the ice - are right behind them. The RedHawks will be more than a handful for the Huskies to handle for two games this weekend.
Who: Dartmouth at New Hampshire What: Non-conference Where: NBCSN/TSN When: 7:30pm ET Why: Both of these teams are treading water nationally and wearing a weighted vest within their own conferences. Both are still trying to find their way, especially New Hampshire as they grapple with their unexpected goalie situation, but this game is very evenly matched with Dartmouth having the slight advantage defensively. If you like wide open hockey, you'll love this one from Lake Whittemore and it's Olympic sheet.
Who: Notre Dame at Western Michigan What: Non-Conference Where: CBS Sports When: 7:30pm ET Why: Much like Dartmouth and New Hampshire, these two teams are facing an uphill battle in terms of the national landscape and making the national tournament. Both are still navigating treacherous goaltending waters, but are receiving steady contributions from their top two lines. It's doubtful that this will be the prettiest game, but it sure will be entertaining and hard fought. Both Andy Murray and Jeff Jackson pride themselves on having teams that are incredibly hard to play against and battle for every inch. They will faceoff again tomorrow night on NBCSN.
Who: USNTDP at Michigan State What: Exhibition Where: Fox Sports Detroit PLUS When: 7pm ET Why: The Spartans have rented space in Struggle City thus far this season. They haven't figured out how to score consistently or how to keep the puck out of their own zone, and more importantly out of their net. This game will be a challenge for them because the U-18's have nothing to lose and everything to prove going up against older, bigger, stronger competition. This is an exhibition game and you're likely to see some experiments from Tom Anastos, but you'll also get a glimpse of the future of USA Hockey including top prospect for the 2016 NHL Draft, Auston Matthews.
Who: #9 Minnesota at Michigan What: Big Ten Hockey Where: BTN When: 7pm ET Why: This is my Game of the Week....Two high powered offenses with average defenses. This has all the makings of being an absolute barn burner at legendary Yost Ice Arena. This will be a turning point game for the Wolverines because while they have similar records, Michigan isn't even receiving votes in the national polls after some key losses early in the season. They need to rectify that with wins over ranked opponents if they want a shot at an at large bid into the national tournament because the last thing they want is to miss the party for the third season in a row. I am also curious how Dylan Larkin - arguably Team USA's best player at the WJC - Tyler Motte, JT Compher and Zach Werenski for Michigan and Hudson Fasching, Ryan Collins and Leon Bristedt (Sweden) for Minnesota jump back into the mix after competing at the World Junior Championship. These teams will faceoof again tomorrow night on Fox Sports Detroit and Fox Sports North PLUS.
If you need to play DVR gymnastics, check your listings as three of these games will re-air overnight and/or in the early morning.
Enjoy the games!!
********** Tweets by @JulieRobenhymer
Julie
JulieLovesHockey@gmail.com
Follow @JulieRobenhymer
Facebook
Be sure to like HockeyBuzz on Facebook!