Every Big Ten team is in action this week save for the Badgers, who are idle for the second weekend in a row.

Ohio State returns from a bye week of its own and will travel to Canisius, while Penn State also faces an AHA opponent in Bentley. Michigan State faces Ferris State, the Wolverines will play Michigan Tech and the Gophers continue with a home-and-home against St. Cloud State.

Penn State (3-1-2) vs. Bentley (3-2-0): Oct. 30 at 7 p.m.; Oct. 31 at 7 p.m.

This is the first meeting between Penn State and Bentley, and Penn State’s last home series until January.

Both the Nittany Lions and Falcons have started the season well. The Falcons are coming off a series sweep over RPI, beating the Engineers 5-2 and 4-0. Penn State swept Holy Cross 3-1 and 7-1.

After a couple of 7-1 wins, Penn State has one of the most prolific offenses in the country. The Nittany Lions average 4.17 goals per game, tied for third in the country. Bentley brings the nation’s 10-best penalty kill, and has allowed three goals in the past 30 opponent power plays.

It’s very early in the season, but the Nittany Lions are a fairly strong and consistent team. Their puck possession was impressive last week as well, with Penn State recording Corsi of over 60 percent in both games.

Prediction: Penn State sweeps

Ohio State (1-3-0) at Canisius (4-2-0): Oct. 31 at 7:35 p.m.; Nov. 1 at 7:35 p.m.

The Buckeyes travel to Canisius after taking a week off. This has been a struggling season for Ohio State so far, without its top-two scorers from last year. After beginning the season with a 5-4 overtime win against Providence, the Buckeyes have lost their last three.

Ohio State knew scoring would be difficult this season, and after the season-opening win, the Buckeyes have scored one goal in their past three games. Ohio State has also kept up its goalkeeping rotation, but none of that can solve the possession problems.

The Buckeyes block the most shots per game in the nation, with 21.50. That lines up well with the shot charts and Corsi stats from the season.

The Griffins have earned wins over Western Michigan and Army, and is coming off a sweep against AIC. This will be the team’s first series at its new HARBORCENTER home.

It’s too early to tell what to expect from Ohio State — except that they need to hold onto the puck more. But after the win over Providence, and a 2-1 loss to Miami, there’s a chance the Buckeyes should win at least one of these games.

Prediction: Series split

Michigan State (1-3-0) vs. Ferris State (2-3-0): Oct. 31 at 7 p.m.; Nov. 1 at 7 p.m.

Michigan State is back to its well-known Spartan ways — blocking shots and never scoring. The Spartans dropped both games in Massachusetts, falling to Boston University 1-0 and to UMass Lowell 2-1. Michigan State has lost its last five games by one goal.

The Bulldogs won their first two games of the season before falling in its last three. But like Michigan State, the Bulldogs dropped their last two games by one goal. Last season, Ferris State made the NCAA tournament and fell toNorth Dakota in double-OT.

Michigan State has a very stingy defense and a good goalkeeper, but the same issue remains — the Spartans can’t score. That makes it hard for them to win, and I can’t see that changing — yet.

Prediction: Ferris State sweeps 

Michigan (2-3-0) at Michigan Tech (4-0-0): Oct. 31 at 7 p.m.; Nov. 1 at 8 pm.

Michigan split its weekend, defeating UMass Lowell 8-4 before falling 1-0 to Boston University. Michigan Tech is undefeeated on the season, sweeping Lake Superior State and then winning two one-goal games against Ferris State.

Michigan Tech has a strong defense. The Huskies have allowed 1.25 goals per game, and netminder Jamie Phillips has a .954 save percentage.

After watching Michigan face Boston University, I’m pretty impressed with the Wolverines. They seem less inconsistent than last year, and their two leading freshmen — Dylan Larkin and Zach Werenski — don’t look like freshmen at all.

As much as I believe the Wolverines will make the NCAA tournament this season, it’s too early to forget a rough start to the season.

Prediction: Series split

Minnesota (4-0-0) vs. St. Cloud State (2-2-0): Oct. 31 at 7:30 p.m.; Nov. 1 at 5 p.m.

After sweeping Bemidji State, the Gophers will fact St. Cloud State in a home-and home-series. Minnesota has won its last 14 games at Mariucci Arena, and will face a Husky team that handed Union its first loss of the season last week.

The 5-1 loss to Union wasn’t heartening for St. Cloud fans, but pulling out a win against Union and Colgate — two of the ECAC’s best — is still impressive.

But Minnesota is still the nation’s powerhouse team. While the Gophers have strength in each area, Kyle Rau averages two points per game and has eight on the season so far.

Prediction: Minnesota sweeps

Thursday, October 30th, 2014 - 2:52 pm | Big Ten, Blogs, Notes, Thoughts, Ramblings