We are on location for this weekend’s showdown between Minnesota and Notre Dame in Minneapolis. It’s this season’s first stop on our Big Ten Hockey Tour and one of our favorite spots. In addition to that matchup, this week’s schedule has two others that should provide plenty of fireworks. Ohio State, mercifully, is off this week.

Penn State’s shootout victory and the Buckeyes forgetting how to play collegiate-level hockey proved to be my undoing last week – if you can call .500 on the week an “undoing.” With some more games under their belts, team trends are starting to emerge so I’m confident that I will come out on top this week.

Last week’s results: 3-3 Season Total: 45-16

Penn State at Michigan

Both of these teams had similar results last week – lost one and squeaked one out with a shootout victory. Penn State’s high-octane style of play could give Michigan trouble early, but I think they’ll settle in and control the pace of play. If this series was in State College, I’d call for a split, but I think the Children of Yost impact the series and the Wolverines take care of business. Prediction: Michigan 2-0

Wisconsin at Michigan State

Wisconsin comes into this matchup as the hottest team in America, even though they were idle last week. The Spartans, though, are pretty hot as well and will be up for the challenge. Look for them to throw themselves at the Badgers (literally and figuratively) repeatedly to try and dictate the game. I think the off-week cools off Wisconsin and their streak comes to an end, but not without putting up a fight. Prediction: Split 1-1

Notre Dame at Minnesota

As mentioned above, I’ll be in attendance for this series to take in the spectacle of Golden Gopher hockey and see all that the University of Minnesota has to offer. The home team is coming off a convincing win (and disappointing shoot-out loss) against Michigan, so I’m inclined to believe they’ve straightened themselves out after a sluggish start. Notre Dame has also improved as calendar pages have flipped. The Irish are coming off a dominating series against Ohio State so their confidence will be high. I think I’m in for a real treat as far as competitive hockey goes, but I anticipate being amongst a herd of happy Gopher fans when I leave the building both nights. Prediction: Minnesota 2-0