Elite Predictions (12/18-24)

By: Luke Devoe

For those of you new to CTHSHockey Blog, every week I select intriguing matchups and predict the winner as well as providing a reasoning.  Here are my debut selections for this season.  I will write up separate predictions later in the week for the West Haven Christmas Tourneys, which I will be attending, so those games will not appear here.
 
Elite Predictions: Mark these on the calendar

12/18 GAME OF THE WEEK New Canaan @ ND-West Haven 4:00 @ Bennett Rink

A new look NDWH squad takes on Stanton and co.  NDWH may take a while to gel this year and the net mouth situation is well known but picking against Belcher on opening night, coaching for his former school, would be foolish.  I think New Canaan is very good but somehow NDWH gets it done in the early tilt.  CTHSHockey will be at this one, but likely will be late. NDWH 4, New Canaan 3

12/18 Branford @ Fairfield Co-op 6:30 @ Wonderland of Ice

My preseason number one versus the final D2 number one last year.  Fairfield is depleted but have an excellent netminder in Kyle Greenhut.  They would like to think the good times will carry throughout but could get a dose of hard reality on opening night.  I'll take Branford in this one. Branford 4, Fairfield 2  

12/18 North Haven @ Amity 6:30 @ Bennett Rink

My opening night night cap.  North Haven's first chance to produce some good feelings around their program and Amity's first shot at their quest for redemption.  I like the Spartans to win on opening night at "home." Amity 2, North Haven 1

12/18 Darien @ Hamden 7:00 @ Lou Astorino Rink

Hamden is sputtering and struggling to find scoring.  These two have opened up with each other each of the past three seasons and it's always tight.  I think Darien is more of a complete team right now.  It's hard picking against Hamden at the Lou on opening night but I'm riding the Wave. Darien 4, Hamden 1

12/18 Newington-Berlin @ North Branford 8:30 @ Northford Ice Pavilion

The "NB's" face off in an intriguing D2 tilt, Newington-Berlin's first.  I'm not entirely sure how the T-Birds bounce back after losing Podbielski to graduation.  Newington-Berlin is much deeper at this time.  I'll take the Indians on the road. Newington-Berlin 3, North Branford 2

12/19 St. Joseph @ Guilford 5:00 @ DiLungo Rink

D1 vs. D2.  Both teams are in severe rebuilding mode and what a test for Guilford to open up with.  A win would shoot the confidence through the roof.  St. Joseph's isn't going to let that happen.  Cadets win in a close one. St. Joseph 5, Guilford 4

12/19 Masuk @ Newtown 7:50 @ Danbury Ice Arena

A monster, under the radar, D3 matchup features my preseason #1 and #3 teams.  Newtown drops down to D3 and takes on a loaded, deep Masuk group.  This could be a D3 championship preview.  I picked em number one for a reason, though I hate how many road teams I'm picking.  Masuk wins. Masuk 3, Newtown 2

12/21 Darien @ Fairfield Prep 1:00 @ Wonderland of Ice

Prep's home opener but we can't overlook a tough road opener for them Wednesday at Ridgefield. Darien has a good group this year but the Jesuits on a Saturday afternoon around Christmas time at Wonderland, can't beat that.  The horns, Prep wins. Prep 3, Darien 1

12/21 Hall-Southington @ EO Smith-Tolland-Windham 2:15 @ Uconn Ice Arena

Two teams looking to prove they can reign supreme at the D3 level get at it at Freitas. Hall-Southington lost everything but the kitchen sink after last year.  The Bucks are a little more stable at this point and will have the place rocking.  Bucks take this one. Bucks 5, Hall 2

12/21 New Milford @ Daniel Hand 7:00 @ Northford Ice Pavilion

Two teams that will vie for a home game in the D2 state tournament but are both susceptible to taking a step backwards this year as well.  Hand hasn't looked very good in the early going while the Wave's Nick Capriglione looks comfy in net.  I'll take New Milford in a minor upset. New Milford 2, Hand 1

- denotes CTHSHockey will be in attendance