Hockey games are an unpredictable animal.  Sometimes they go exactly how you think they'll go, and other times you wonder if you even know how the game is played.  So, when I saw the score of the Central Indiana Knights and Lake Central Blue Indians game this weekend, I thought I must have been watching archery when I made my Game of the Week prediction.

I'm not going to recap my full prediction, but I expected the Knights to beat the Indians 3-2, in a physical game.  The Knights have been showing some solid play over the last few games, beat some quality opponents, and owed the Indians a thumpin' from earlier in the season.  But it was the Lake Central Indians who came to play, beating the Knights 3-1.  There were a couple of 2 and 10's in the game but overall, it was a fairly clean event, and not the physical grudge match I expected.

Sadly, that was enough to drop my record to 3-3-2.  But like the ragged grinder who fights the good fight on the third line, I will carry on!

With that said, the INHockey.net Game of the Week for the week of January 30th, 2017 is Adams/Marian at the Riley Wildcats.  

First off, I like this game because it's a league match up (Michiana League), and both teams are close in the INHockey.net rankings, Adams/Marian at #18 and Riley at #17.  They've played each other a couple of times this season, with Adams/Marian winning both games.  The first game was a close 3-2 effort, but Adams/Marian  crushed the Wildcats 4-0 in the last game.  

Both teams spread the offense around, Adams/Marian with eight players in double digit points and Riley with five players in double digit points.  That's really nice to see, considering many teams have two or three players who generate 80% of the offense.  

Finally, both teams have pretty solid goaltending. Adams/Marian's Bryce Tolle comes in with .827 SA while Riley's Michael Peterson has .898 SA.

I love the games in which the teams are evenly matched.  It opens the doors for sensational game winning goals, deep play, expert level line matching, and lots of scribbles on the whiteboard.  This game should have all of that and more.  Plus, with Adams/Marian having won both games this year, Riley is coming in with a little chip on their shoulders.  It meant absolutely nothing in last week's prediction but it stands for something this week, with the added competition of an in-league game.

But just like hockey, I'm an unpredictable animal, folks.  And although I'm a sucker for the whole "chip on the shoulder"/revenge theme, and I just told you it will mean something this week, I'm STILL going to go with Adams/Marian for the win.  I just have to go with my gut in these close games.  The Wildcats are absolutely capable of winning this game but Adams/Marian seems to be a little more consistent across the board. With so many players able to generate offense, It'll be hard for The Wildcats to match if they fall behind early.  

Either way, this is one to watch because it will have ramifications as we head into state tournament time.

So, there you have it.  Adams/Marian is my team this week.  I predict a close 3-2 victory for the Blue and Red.  You heard it here first!