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What’s on Tap?

By Paul Evans, 11/16/17, 2:45PM EST

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Better get a designated driver... lotsa roadies this weekend!

Careful getting behind the wheel if you indulge in a few of these frosty ones... Several teams are over the river and through the woods this weekend, but there are still a couple beauties around.  Some games will be available online, so best keep the iPad charged and the beer on ice.

First pour coming up...

Best In Show

A special nod to this weekend's AHCA D2 skirmish -Trine v. Indiana.  We don't want to let the cat out of the bag here, so you'll have to check out our feature piece Civil War for more on the state's newest rivalry.

Suffice to say that even though these two teams are headed in opposite directions at the moment, you can probably toss the records out the window.  This four-game series is about more than just pride.  The team that comes out on top likely gets a leg up in recruiting the locals to boot.


Six Pack

If you're looking for great value on some good hockey, check out the SportOne/Parkview Icehouse in Fort Wayne this weekend.  IPFW and both Indiana Tech teams are on this triple bill, and the games are scheduled literally side by side.  All three rinks will be buzzing this weekend, so hanging out in the Thirsty Penguin may be your best bet.

Indiana Tech (NAIA) v. Waldorf
Although not a WHAC matchup, this is still an important series for Tech to keep pace in the NAIA.  Currently sitting in a tie for second place with seven points, the Warriors could seize control with a sweep if Aquinas and Lawrence Tech split the weekend.  Jace Childs is just two behind in the scoring race, and Joey Molfetta only trails Childs by a couple.  Things are just as tight with the goaltenders as John Slavik is off to a stellar start between the pipes and sitting at #2 in the NAIA.  
Nov. 17 - 8:30pm / Nov. 18 - 5:30pm

Indiana Tech (ACHA) v. Calvin College
The Warriors stood pat in the polls this week, still clinging to the tenth spot (technically ninth as #2 Sault College is not eligible for the postseason).  Sweeping the series is a must if Tech wants to hang on to their spot in the top 10.  The winless Knights won't help their strength of schedule much, but a couple of solid victories could boost the Warriors goal differential a tad.  Even a split could prove disasterous for Tech, who has struggled in recent weeks (1-4-0) after getting off to a blazing start (5-0-2) to the season.
Nov. 17 - 8:30pm / Nov. 18 - 4:00pm

IPFW v. Ball State (ICHC)
The Mastadons are in desperate need of a break after getting pummeled by Eastern Kentucky and Purdue.  Not that its going to be easy, but the 'Dons could get the jump on Ball State if the Cardinals come out rusty after being idle last weekend.  If IPFW is going to gain any ground in the ICHC, they're going to have to find a way to take some of the heat off Taylor Amborn in net.  Amborn has been facing nearly 40 shots per game, which isn't terrible until you find out that he's the only goalie on the roster.  Ball State stuck it pretty good to UIndy a couple weeks ago, but the Cardinals can't afford to get off to a slow start against the potent 'Dons offense.  Nick Ramsey has been a one-man wrecking crew, accounting for nearly a third of the Cardinals goals, but he'll need some help if Ball State is going to fend off IPFW on the road.
Nov. 17 - 9:10pm / Nov. 18 - 4:00pm


Full-flavored

Trine's NCAA D3 hockey teams started their season only just recently, and it's taken some time to find any kind of rythym.  The ladies took their lumps last weekend after earning their first win on opening weekend, while the men came oh-so-close to picking up their first victory on Saturday.

Trine (NCAA D3 Men) v. Adrian
The Thunder ended up with a couple near misses last weekend, and things won't be any easier against Adrian.  Trine lost 3-0 to St. Norbert on Friday, and the Green Knights jumped over the Bulldogs to claim the top spot in this week's rankings -- a move that likely isn't sitting well with the 'Dawgs.  The Thunder has been struggling to put points on the board, and a 1.50 goals per game average won't cut it against the #2 team in the country.
Nov. 17 - 7:00pm / Nov. 18th @ Adrian (Video)

Trine (NCAA D3 Women) @ Marian
Things didn't go so well against Adrian last weekend, as the Thunder were swept by the third-ranked Bulldogs by a combined score of 13-2.  The Marion Sabres could prove to be the antidote, though.  Trine can't afford to take anything for granted - especially on the road - but the Sabres are winless in six games thus far and are scoring just 1.50 goals per game.  The Thunder aren't faring much better (1.75 goals/game), but they should have their share of chances in this competitive series.
Nov. 17 @ Marion (Video) / Nov. 18 @ Marion (Video)

Seasonal Offering

Notre Dame rose to #4 in the rankings this week after back-to-back sweeps of conference foes Ohio State and Penn State.  The Irish seem to have found their groove after an inconsistent start, led by some outstanding work in net from Cale Morris.  Earning conference honors for the second week in a row, Morris has bounced back from a rough start to seize control of the starting spot.  Notre Dame wraps up the non-conference portion of their schedule with a trip to the Empire state for a series against RPI.  The Engineers have started the season 2-6-3, with two of those ties coming against the Buckeyes.  Stopping the opposition has been the challenge, as Rensselaer has been outshot by an average of -14 shots/game.  This could be a perfect time to get freshman netminder Dylan St. Cyr some minutes, as the Irish should continue to roll.
Nov. 17 @ RPI (Video) / Nov. 18 @ RPI (Video)


Off The Shelf

A couple tough tests coming up for Trine and Purdue, while UIndy and E. Kentucky have more favorable matchups in store.

Purdue @ Grand Valley State
GVSU improved their record to 16-2 and climbed to #4 in the North region after a pair of convincing wins over Calvin College.  The Boilermakers hope their resounding sweep over conference foe IPFW can give them enough momentum to keep up with the Lakers.
Nov. 17 @ GVSU /  Nov. 18 @ GVSU

UIndy @ Northern Illinois
The Greyhounds are hoping to get a boost from their split with Davenport last weekend as they battle Northern Illinois on the road.  The Huskies should be a good matchup for UIndy, as one of their three wins came against Bradley - a team the Greyhounds were competitive with.  If the 'Hounds can limit the shots on Weston Akard - whose been seeing nearly 50 a game - they should have a decent chance to pick up another road victory.
Nov. 17 @ N. Illinois / Nov. 18 @ N. Illinois

E. Kentucky v. Middle Tennessee State
The Colonels have won five of their last six and could potentially head into the Thanksgiving break at .500 with a win over MTSU.  The Blue Raiders are winless on the season and surrendering an average of 10 goals per game.  Minus a monumental letdown in the one-game series, EKU should be able to keep their mojo flowing.
Nov. 18 @ Lexington Ice Arena

Trine v. Adrian
This rare Monday night offering could be a dandy, as both the Thunder and the Bulldogs are in the top 15 in the North this week.  Adrian slipped to #6 after a split with Indiana Tech, while Trine came in at #15 despite being idle.  As the Thunder's first game since November 4, and their only game until December 1, it wouldn't come as a shock if the Thunder were a bit out of sorts.  On the other hand, all that pent-up energy could be just what they need against a fierce pack of Bulldogs.
Nov. 20 - 7:15pm