This is one of the last weekends of non-conference play, as Big Ten contests will be underway soon. The conference fared better last weekend but have still really struggled. Wisconsin, which upset North Dakota on Friday, is off this week.

Much of the Big Ten play this week is against Atlantic Hockey, with Michigan playing Niagara, Penn State hosting Sacred Heart and Ohio State facing Canisius. The Spartans also travel to Boston College while Minnesota faces Minnesota State.

Minnesota vs. Minnesota State: Nov. 13 at 7 p.m. CT; Nov. 14 at 7 p.m. CT

The Gophers will play the Mavericks in a home-and-home series,  Minnesota’s second state series this season. The Mavericks, one of the top teams in college hockey last year, have struggled a little bit this year. Minnesota State opened the season with four losses, but have five wins in its last six games. Casey Nelson leads the team with nine points.

Minnesota split last weekend with Notre Dame and has three wins in its last four games. The Gophers are still young and inconsistent, but have a good goaltender in Eric Schierhorn. Michael Brodzinski leads the team with seven points.

It’s tough to predict this series, as with Minnesota’s last weekend, since it’s still early.

Prediction: Series split

Michigan State at Boston College: Nov. 13

The Spartans travel out east to play the Eagles for their only game this weekend. Last weekend, the Spartans scored 12 goals in a sweep of New Hampshire. JT Stenglein leads the Spartans with 10 points, a career high. Freshman Mason Appleton has seven.

Despite last weekend’s offensive outburst, the Spartan-Eagle matchup will probably be a defensive one. Jake Hildebrand is the best goaltender in the Big Ten, but BC’s Thatcher Demko has been the best netminder in the country. He has a .974 save percentage and has had six shutouts this year.

The Eagles are on a seven-game winning streak and only suffered one loss this season. BC’s strength of schedule hasn’t been spectacular, with wins over Wisconsin, Colorado College, UMass and Maine. The Spartans are on a three-game winning streak and has wins over only Lake Superior State and New Hampshire.

The last time these teams met was last season at Michigan State. BC won 3-2.

Prediction: BC wins

Michigan vs. Niagara: Nov. 13 at 7:35 p.m.

The Wolverines continue their Atlanatic Hockey slate with a game against Niagara. Last weekend,  Michigan split its series against Robert Morris. The Wolverines have struggled a bit this year and still have some defensive and goaltending issues to take care of.

While Niagara is winless on the season, the Purple Eagles tied Penn State last weekend. Niagara has played in five non-conference games, but its only other tie was against Robert Morris.

Michigan’s offense may not average as much as Penn State’s, but it can be tough to stop. 

Prediction: Michigan wins

Penn State vs. Sacred Heart: Nov. 13 at 7 p.m; Nov. 14 at 4 p.m.

The Nittany Lions host Sacred Heart for a pair of games. Penn State averages 4.12 goals per game, but its offense has cooled down lately. The Nittany Lions haven’t scored more than two goals since a pair of wins over AIC.

The Pioneers are on a two-game winning streak after defeating AIC and Holy Cross. Sacred Heart is 1-1-1 in non-Atlantic Hockey games, with a win over Arizona State, a tie against Union and a loss to UMass.

Part of the reason Penn State scores a lot is because they throw a lot of shots on net. They’ve played better so far this year than most expected.

Prediction: Penn State sweeps

Buckeyes vs. Canisius: Nov. 13 at 7 p.m.; Nov. 14 at 4 p.m.

Ohio State returns from a bye week to host Canisius. The Griffins are the second Atlantic Hockey opponent Ohio State has faced, as the Buckeyes split with Mercyhurst its last time out.

The Buckeyes are another team that’s really struggled this year. While Ohio State returned some of its offense, the Buckeyes have had difficulty scoring. The Griffins, meanwhile, are on a two-game losing streak. Canisius has wins over Holy Cross and Sacred Heart this year.

Prediction: Series split

Thursday, November 12th, 2015 - 11:04 am | Big Ten, Blogs, Notes, Thoughts, Ramblings