Choice of D-III West hockey games – College hockey

League play is in full swing this week in the West Division III hockey region and there is no shortage of interesting games. Among the highlights is a key two-game NCHA streak between Trine and Adrian. In MIAC, Augsburg will aim to keep their overall unbeaten record intact and Wisconsin-River Falls and Wisconsin-Stevens Point will face off in a one-game scenario.

November 19-20

Concordia in Saint-Olaf

The Cobbers currently lead the conference standings, but that doesn’t mean nothing will be easy against Oles.

Tyler Bossert leads MIAC in points (11) while Cole O’Connell and Brady Tatro each have five goals this season. It will be a tough team for the Oles to slow down.

St. Olaf has shown he can score too, scoring five goals in a game against St. Scholastica last week. Ashton Altman leads the offense with two goals and four assists.
Concordia, 5-2 and 4-3

Saint Scholastica vs. Augsburg

The Auggies face an opponent from MIAC for the first time and are unbeaten in their first four games.

Augsburg has one of the best goalkeepers in the league in Jack Robbel. He’s 0.67 goals against average and the Auggies have been strong defensively overall, allowing just three goals in their first four games.

The Saints will look to block with Arkhip Ledenkov, who has three goals and three assists and is one of the MIAC leaders in points this season.

This home series could be one of the best of the weekend.
Augsburg, 4-1 and 3-2

Bethel vs. Gustave

The Royals have had an impressive start, winning five of their first six, and they’ll try to get things done against the Gusties.

Bethel has scored three or more goals on four occasions and recorded two shutouts. The team is playing with confidence, to say the least.

Gustavus is looking to end a two-game losing streak. Advancing your attack is key. The Gusties have managed just four goals in their last four games.
Bethel, 5-2; Gustave, 3-2

Lake Forest vs. Aurora

This house and house series should be interesting. Aurora is looking to continue her good start to the year. The Spartans won their first six games, outscoring their opponents 33-9. Jack Jaunich, Andrew Lane and Simon Boyko are the top three for conference points. Boyko scored eight goals.

The Foresters have Nick Wiencek in goal and he will be tasked with controlling the Spartan offense. He has scored a 1.68 goals against average during the year.
Aurora, 5-3; Forest of the lake, 3-2

Trine vs. Adrian

It’s a huge showdown at the start of the season between two of NCHA’s top teams.

The Thunder and Bulldogs are unbeaten in the league. Trine was impressive offensively, scoring 22 goals. Garrett Hallford and Bobby Brice fueled the attack with four goals apiece. Trine has won her last three games. Adrian has also won three consecutive victories. Matthew Rehding scored four goals for the Bulldogs.
Adrien, 5-4; Trigone 6-4

Concordia vs. Marian

The Falcons and Sabers come looking for their first conference wins of the season. Both teams are 0-2 in the NCHA.

Concordia has lost three games in a row, allowing four or more goals in each of those losses. The Falcons will need to consolidate things defensively to get a shot.

It was a tough start to the year for the reigning conference tournament champions. The Sabers have lost their last two games and will also be looking to tighten things up defensively after allowing 11 goals in the last two games. The team that plays best in defense probably wins this series.
Marian, 4-3; Concordia, 5-4

November 19

Wisconsin-Superior to Wisconsin-Eau Claire

The Yellow Jackets have won back-to-back wins, scoring 11 goals in that streak, and they will aim to hold things on against the Blugold in a huge WIAC opener. They topped the opposition 21-9, with Dylan Johnson and Chad Lopez leading the way with four goals apiece.

The Blugolds have won two of their last four games. Sammy Martel leads the team with two goals.
UW-Superior, 2-1

Wisconsin-River Falls to Wisconsin-Stevens Point

The Falcons have lost only once this season and are looking to gain ground early in the race for a conference championship. They have scored at least two goals in every win this season and have held four teams to one goal. Dysen Skinner was solid in front of UW-River Falls goals, scoring a 3-0 record and a 1.67 goals-against average.

The Pointers have won their last two games and have shown their ability to generate offense, scoring four goals on three occasions. Colin Raver was on point at the start of the year, accumulating five goals and seven assists.
UW-Stevens Point, 3-2