Weekly Preview Getting Back in the Swing of Things

Two of the top teams in Hockey East will collide this weekend as New Hampshire travels to Vermont for two at Gutterson Field House.

In the Florida College Classic UNH went 1-1 losing to Cornell and defeating Western Michigan in the consolation game. Vermont hosted the Shearton/TD Banknorth Classic Vermont went 1-1 on their home ice losing to St. Cloud State in the finals before defeating Union. A lot of bragging rights in this matchup so lets break it down.

For UNH once again their offense is among the best in the country averaging more than four goals per game. On the other end of the ice Vermont's strength is its goaltending and its defense. In 18 games the Catamounts have only allowed a total of 29 goals. Goaltender Joe Fallon has proved all year that he is one of the elite goaltenders in the country. The question for Vermont tonight is can they stop the formable attack of Trevor Smith and Mike Radja? Will Jacob Micfliker and Matt Fornataro be a key factor? How about Brett Hemingway? Will he step up his play in the second half? Can Kevin Regan stay consistant? This will be a great series to watch.

Another weekend series worth looking at is the Michigan State vs Miami series. These two games will be played at the Goggin Ice Arena. Michigan State is coming off a championship in teh Great Lakes Invitational while Miami went 1-1 in the Ohio Hockey Classic defeating Bowling Green before losing to Ohio State in the championship game. Are these two teams headed in different directions?

Some interesting questions to ask this weekend is can Michigan State stop Nathan Davis? After all last month Davis only scored one point but the Redhawks are 2-1-1 in the last four games in which Davis did not score a point. For Michigan State one might wonder if the duo of Bryan Lerg and Tim Kennedy can breakout in the second half. Also do not forget about the play of goaltneder Jeff Lerg, and the Spartan defense has been playing well lately. Can Michigan State pull of another big second half run? Will Miami be consistant on a nightly basis? This is a key series in the CCHA as both teams will try to catch Notre Dame in the standings.

In other college hockey action this weekend:

Wisconsin travels to Denver for two in the Rocky Mountains.
North Dakota will face Colorado College in another two game key series in the WCHA.
And to round up the top five St. Cloud State faces Alaska-Anchorage.

These games and much more to be featured in the weekly wrap-up on Monday. And not to forget that Bracketology Wednesday will return on Wednesday as the first projected brackets will come out. Where will your team be? Find out as hockeynuts will start its "Road to St. Louis" on Monday with the weekly wrap-up.