Featuring a preview of a home-and-home between Boston College and Boston University, Denver at North Dakota and Augustana opening up its brand new Midco Arena.
It’s always a great weekend to watch college hockey, but we’re in the middle of a great two-week stretch of games.
Last week saw an absolute barn-burner of a series between Michigan and Michigan State, including a comeback win for the Spartans on the road. North Dakota won a hard-fought series against St. Cloud to knot up the top of the NCHC standings. In the CCHA, Michigan Tech got the better of Bemidji State in a defensive battle, earning a win and a shootout loss. In other words, you’re welcome for the recommendation.
This week, though, looks to be even bigger. There are multiple rivalry series taking place, as well as some ribbon-cutting ceremonies. Here’s our recommendations for this week’s menu.
No. 1 Boston University at/vs. No. 2 Boston College
In 106 years of college hockey history, the Battle of Commonwealth Avenue has never had the stakes of this weekend. Never have Boston University and Boston College entered No. 1 and No. 2 overall, favorites to win a national championship. You could debate whether they’ve had this much talent in decades, too, with stars such as BU’s Macklin Celebrini and Lane Hutson taking part, as well as BC’s NTDP trio and goaltender Jacob Fowler. If everything goes to plan, this matchup could be a sneak peek at what we’ll see in the Frozen Four come April.
The Terriers are surging, riding a seven-game win streak since Thanksgiving weekend. Meanwhile, the Eagles have run the table in their own right, with just four losses this season, two of which came against Denver and Maine (I think we’ll let those slide).
This weekend marks the only true series these teams will play, as they’ll play once in the men’s Beanpot under the technicality of non-conference play. That means that for Hockey East standings, this weekend is make-or-break if someone can bust out the brooms.
There might not be a better series all season, something I drew attention to all the way back in July. The star power, the fanfare and the stakes make this a must-watch series. If you watch one game all year, make it one of these games.
No. 4 Denver at No. 5 North Dakota
When it comes to hockey out west, there’s no higher profile series right now than Denver and North Dakota. Both are vying for the NCHC crown and a national championship, and both are driven by their explosive offenses, while the defense could use some work.
Denver has hit the ground running since head coach David Carle came back with World Junior gold. So has freshman defenseman Shai Buium, who has continued to produce at a high rate since his return with five points in four games. In net, the Pioneers saw an initial bump from junior goaltender Matt Davis, who posted a .915 save percentage against then conference crown St. Cloud. But after a rough weekend in Omaha with a .861 save percentage, he fell right back into his season struggles.
Up in Grand Forks, the Fighting Hawks earned a big time series win against the Huskies with a win and shootout loss, meaning they are now tied for first in the NCHC. They’ll be a bit shorthanded this weekend, with graduate forward Hunter Johannes out due to a lower-body injury as reported by Brad Elliott Schlossman of the Grand Forks Herald. However, their offense should be fine given an explosive, three-goal weekend from sophomore forward Jackson Blake.
Denver has run this series the past two seasons with a 5-1 record, but North Dakota will try to take advantage of the Pios’ shaky goaltending to pull ahead.
Ferris State at Augustana
You’re probably wondering why I’m highlighting a game between two teams with losing records, but this weekend will be one of festivities. Augustana will open up Midco Arena for its first home game in program history Friday night, hosting Ferris State for a weekend series.
As newcomers to Division I, the Vikings have covered a lot of milestones this season, but they’ve been playing all their home games at the Premier Center, home of the USHL’s Sioux Falls Stampede.
Now, they’re moving into their own crib. Augustana posted a sneak peek video of Midco Arena on their social media channels, but it’ll be a whole different atmosphere with Friday’s sellout crowd.
As far as hockey goes, both teams are riding a bit of a high. The Bulldogs are fresh off a sweep of Lake Superior State and have won three of their last five following a seven-game losing skid that spanned into the new year. The Vikings just split a series with Arizona State, who’s right on the playoff bubble. For a program just taking off, that’s an accomplishment.