FRIDAY, JANUARY 31st

 

Wyandotte Roosevelt vs. Escanaba

BREAKDOWN: I worry this one could be a little lopsided. The three best players in this game could all be Eskymos with Ethan Silverstone, Kyle Krutina and Karson Krutina. I expect them to be the difference in a convincing victory.

PREDICTION: 

#48 Escanaba	6
#88 Wyandotte Roosevelt	1

 

Livonia Churchill vs. L’Anse Creuse Unified

BREAKDOWN: Much more favorable matchup for Churchill; one where they can impose an effective forecheck and dictate the pace of play. Ian Wood has been riding a hot streak and I’d bet he stays that way in a mismatch up front. 

PREDICTION: 

#73 L’Anse Creuse Unified	2
#47 Livonia Churchill	3

 

Grand Haven vs. Rochester Stoney Creek

BREAKDOWN: SC’s offensive struggles could continue here. They haven’t scored more than two goals in a game since Christmas and Grand Haven has a pair of good goalies in net. Whether its Aiden Steele or Peyton Boyle, I’ll give the Pirates a slight edge here because of them. 

PREDICTION: 

#97 Rochester Stoney Creek	1
#94 Grand Haven	2

 

Midland vs. Hudsonville

BREAKDOWN: I don’t know which Hudsonville team we’re gonna get on Friday; they’ve been a little up and down. Midland, on the other hand is feeling pretty good with a couple of dangerous playmakers despite its 5-11-0 record. Chemics heating up down the stretch, starts with this week.

PREDICTION: 

#78 Hudsonville	2
#76 Midland	4

 

Gaylord vs. West Ottawa

BREAKDOWN: Huge opportunity for Gaylord to draw statewide attention if they can put together a couple wins in tough matchups. Luke Linart is the best offensive weapon in the game, though, and I think he’ll be too hard to contain. 

PREDICTION: 

#43 West Ottawa	5
#65 Gaylord	2

 

Traverse City West vs. Woodhaven

BREAKDOWN: Freshman goalie Mason West is a promising young prospect with a 1.71 goals-against average and .928 save percentage for TC West. He’ll definitely be challenged by the Warriors’ offensive weapons but I think he’s good enough in this one for the Trojans to steal a W.

PREDICTION: 

#33 Woodhaven	2
#50 Traverse City West	3

 

Macomb Dakota vs. Marquette

BREAKDOWN: One of the best matchups of the weekend. Dakota has at least four legitimate offensive threats that the Redmen will have to account for but I just can’t pick against Marquette right now. If they’re gonna lose, I’d have see it to believe it first

PREDICTION: 

#7 Marquette	3
#26 Macomb Dakota	2

 

Novi vs. Byron Center

BREAKDOWN: I like BC’s weapons a bit more in this matchup and think guys like Luke Nickoluas, Trevor Davis and Brady Breit can explode at any moment. Novi can neutralize that with a strong defensive effort, I just think there’s too many threats for the Wildcats to account for.

PREDICTION:

#32 Byron Center	5
#30 Novi	2

 

Salem vs. Livonia Stevenson

BREAKDOWN: Stevenson is playing at a pace right now that I’m not sure anybody can match. As long as they stay out of the box and don’t give Salem any freebee’s on the power play, this one could be pretty slanted.

PREDICTION:

#1 Livonia Stevenson	5
#9 Salem	1

 

Lowell/Caledonia vs. Pinckney

BREAKDOWN: Lo-Cal is playing some of its best hockey right now winning four-of-five. Pinckney presents enough offensive threats to be concerned but I like LC to leave with the win, as Tommy Near and Garrett Walker have combined to give up just two goals in the last three games.

PREDICTION:

#71 Pinckney	2
#89 Lowell/Caledonia	4

 

Allen Park vs. Plymouth

BREAKDOWN: Another great matchup; If these top two lines go head-to-head, it’ll make for an exciting game right down to the end. Ian Smith vs. Brendan Ratchfal. Brendan Allen vs. Joey Mocnik. Who’s gonna blink first? Cats in a shootout.

PREDICTION:

#25 Plymouth	5
#31 Allen Park	4

 

Jenison vs. Ann Arbor Skyline

BREAKDOWN: Jenison is a well-coached bunch that just plays tough as a group. I think their structure is good enough to neutralize Skyline’s high-powered offense. They keep it close and score late to pull a big upset.

PREDICTION:

#28 Ann Arbor Skyline	3
#63 Jenison	2

 

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