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Chelsea Showcase: Thursday Picks

By Craig Peterson, 01/30/20, 8:00AM EST

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 30th

 

Woodhaven vs. Ann Arbor Skyline

BREAKDOWN: Love both of these teams and a great matchup to kickstart the event. It’ll be top-vs-top and while I like Jamie Newton’s scoring ability paired with Isaac Lippert’s playmaking skills, I lean toward Jacob Kornoelje and the Warriors’ depth just a little, tiny bit more. Woodhaven in a close one! 

PREDICTION

#28 Ann Arbor Skyline

3

#33 Woodhaven

4


 

Canton vs. Birmingham Unified

BREAKDOWN: Two more evenly matched teams, both coming in having won three of their last four. I like BU’s goaltending situation just a little bit better, as the team is collectively giving up just 2.00 goals per game. Kings in a low-scoring defensive struggle.

PREDICTION

#41 Birmingham Unified

2

#22 Canton

0


 

Allen Park vs. South Lyon Unified

BREAKDOWN: Got my first look at SLU this week, so maybe some recency bias here. They go three forward lines strong with a good forecheck and John Gardiner snaps off some pretty nasty wristers. Expect him to have a big weekend.

PREDICTION

#18 South Lyon Unified

5

#31 Allen Park

2


 

Rochester United vs. Livonia Churchill

BREAKDOWN: Chargers have scratched, clawed and fought to stay above .500 this season with an 8-7-1 record and coach Jason Reynolds has done another nice job with this group. They are susceptible to giving up goals in bunches though, and RU’s offense has come alive recently, with 18 goals in its last three outings.

PREDICTION

#47 Livonia Churchill

3

#51 Rochester United

6


 

Davison vs. Escanaba

BREAKDOWN: There’s so much to like about Dylan McMullen’s game and shoutout to Jeffrey Schmidt on his commitment to Oakland University. But, Escanaba is a gritty team and I think they can outwork the Cardinals in a 200-foot track meet. 

PREDICTION

#47 Escanaba

5

#51 Davison

3


 

Marquette vs. Lake Orion

BREAKDOWN: I’ve been driving the Lake Orion bandwagon this season as a big fan of Brendan Finn and Kade Manzo, but Marquette is a buzzsaw. They don’t give up much defensively and I think the Dragons would need a minimum of four goals to win this one. I don’t see that happening.

PREDICTION

#19 Lake Orion

1

#7 Marquette

3


 

Fenton/Linden vs. St. Clair Shores Unified

BREAKDOWN: Buckle up, I expect a high-scoring affair in this one. Sophomore defenseman Nick Temple has five points in the Griffins’ last two games, I think he stays hot this weekend and leads a high-powered offense in this one. 

PREDICTION

#116 St. Clair Shores Unified

4

#101 Fenton/Linden

6


 

Farmington United vs. Walled Lake Western

BREAKDOWN: Farmington’s scoring so many goals lately, even their goalie is getting in on the action! What a story for Bryn Sommerfeldt but Western comes in with a top line that can light the lamp in flurries. Add another W for Walled Lake.

PREDICTION

#64 Walled Lake Western

4

#82 Farmington United

2


 

Chelsea vs. Novi

BREAKDOWN: They’re just 5-9-2 but the Wildcats posted two impressive wins over Northville and Eisenhower. I think coach Mark Vellucci has his boys turning the corner here and finishing the final month of the season strong. 

PREDICTION

#30 Novi

3

#69 Chelsea

2


 

Bloomfield Hills vs. White Lake Lakeland

BREAKDOWN: Pushing all my chips in on Ben Getzen. He’s the difference in this one, as a big performance clinches it for Lakeland but if the Black Hawks neutralize him, the pendulum will certainly swing back the other way. 

PREDICTION

#62 White Lake Lakeland

6

#54 Bloomfield Hills

2


 

Rochester Stoney Creek vs. Pinckney

BREAKDOWN: A couple wins this weekend could do Stoney Creek a lot of good. However, Pinckney’s on its home turf and Sebastian Smith is having a career year with 35 goals in 16 games. He alone may be enough to win this one. 

PREDICTION

#71 Pinckney

5

#97 Rochester Stoney Creek

2


 

Troy United vs. L’Anse Creuse Unified

BREAKDOWN: I think these two teams are a lot closer than their records and rankings might suggest. Pretty balanced efforts in net from both teams, so I’ll go Troy with a little bit more scoring depth from Troy Johannson and Corey Victor.

PREDICTION

#73 L’Anse Creuse Unified

2

#88 Troy United

3

 

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