Elite Predictions (1/22-28)

By: Luke Devoe

IF YOU ARE LOOKING TO SEE PHOTOS FOR THE CTHSHOCKEY JERSEY CHALLENGE CLICK HERE! REMEMBER TO VOTE ON THE POLLS IN THE RIGHT MARGIN!

Only picking nine this week. Ties galore last week stole some from me or, better yet, probably saved me.  Here goes...

Elite Predictions: Mark these on the calendar

Last Week: (6-3-5)  Season: (35-23-7)

1/22 Staples-Weston-Shelton @ NFI 5:30 (Danbury Ice Arena)

The Wreckers have been scoring goals in bunches (8,7,6,4,5) over their last five. NFI's Ryan Dobos is arguably the best goalie at the D3 level. He won't allow this. NFI wins. NFI 3, Staples 2

1/22 Simsbury @ East Catholic 7:00 (Champions Skating Center)

East Catholic is one of the hottest teams in the state. Glastonbury is coming off a strong 4-1 win over Xavier after a couple of dud performances. Throw divisions out the window in this one, East Catholic is the better team. EC 4, Simsbury 2

1/22 Ridgefield @ Glastonbury 7:30 (Trinity Rink)

Suddenly Glastonbury is just steamrolling the competition and, at press time, have won their last four, all in lopsided fashion. Ridgefield is equally as hot but hasn't played the quality of opponent the Tomahawks have. I think this factors in. Tomahawks win. Glastonbury 5, Ridgefield 4

1/22 Hamden @ ND Fairfield 8:00 (Milford Ice Pavilion)

Hamden played really well in Mass over the weekend to not come away with a win. The trends point at ND Fairfield falling in this one as consistency is not something they've had this year. I think the Dragons pick up a huge road win. Hamden 6, NDF 5

1/25 Darien @ Trinity Catholic 3:10 (Terry Connors Rink)

Trinity Catholic has been the best story of this season. They stand tall, at press time, as the lone surviving undefeated. They have a date with Trumbull before this, but they should be able to win that one. Either way, I think their streak comes to an end at the hands of a lethal and deep Wave crew. Darien 5, Trinity Catholic 2

GAME OF THE WEEK 1/25 Hamden @ ND West Haven 3:30 (Bennett Rink)

The second part of Hamden's Notre Dame week sees them face age old rivals NDWH.  This is a real hard stretch for Hamden. They get Simsbury, Prep, Bishop Hendricken and Mt. St. Charles after this. It would be a huge win but I think the fatigue of playing a ridiculous schedule catches up to them against, who I think is the state's best team. I think Hamden keeps it close, but NDWH is too good. NDWH 5, Hamden 3

1/25 Cheshire @ Branford 4:40 (Northford Ice Pavilion)

Cheshire has been piping hot of late. Branford continues to play a great brand of hockey. This one is hard to call because of the games these teams have before this one. Cheshire plays North Haven on Monday and Branford plays Hand on Wednesday. Regardless, I'm as torn as can be on this one but I'll go with the team that I think is deeper and has more lethal weapons. That would be the Hornets. Branford 4, Cheshire 3

1/27 ND West Haven @ Darien 6:00 (Darien Ice Rink)

In a matchup of two of the states top 3 teams, NDWH gets a scary good Darien team. It's real hard to pick against the Knights right now. They keep finding ways to win even when they look down and out. Case in point, Saturday vs. Xavier. But Darien is really good at home. In a mild upset, give me the Wave. Darien 3, NDWH 2

1/27 Newtown @ New Milford 8:00 (Canterbury Rink)

McLoughlin recently posted 10+ periods of shutout hockey.

New Milford can't really be stopped right now so it seems silly that I'd consider a matchup with a D3 team an important one this week. Well, after seeing the defensive, stifling brand Newtown is able to play, I think they can skate with 'em. Newtown goalie McLoughlin is one to watch this year. It would take a perfect game for Newtown to win this one and I'm not feeling that bold. New Milford in a surprisingly close one. New Milford 2, Newtown 1

- denotes CTHSHockey will be in attendance