TSCHL Team of the Week: Akron Zips

The University of Akron Zips are Ohio Hockey Digest’s Tri-States Collegiate Hockey League (TSCHL) Team of the Week.  The Zips have been a staple in the conference, having been members since 2010. This coming weekend, the Zips travel across the state to Oxford for a difficult road match-up with Miami University, which is ranked sixth in the ACHA Southeast rankings and Top 25 nationally.

Led by Head Coach Matt Koch, along with scoring leaders John Parks and Nick Barbieri, the Zips have faced significant opponents to start out the year. To open the season, they squared off against Slippery Rock University (D1). Since then, they have played two teams ranked in the top 16 nationally: Trine University and the Cincinnati Bearcats. Clearly, the Zips endured tough competition thus far.

John Parks leads the way for the Zips, recoding 20 points in his 16 games played. Despite the team’s 3-14-1 record, Douglas Wild’s performance in his ten games in the net has not been the problem. Wild possesses a .911 save percentage, and has seen just under 400 shots on the year.   

Following their road trip to Miami, the Zips will compete in a home-and-home with Youngstown State University, who they beat earlier this year, 7-2. This could be a great opportunity for the Zips to gain some momentum before traveling north to face the University of Michigan.

--- Grant Hennessy

TSCHL Game of the Week

Friday, November 10:  #5 Cincinnati (15-2) vs #10 Ohio (10-3)

The University of Cincinnati is coming off a weekend split with the University of Louisville.  They lost, 5-2, then pounded the Cards next day in Cincinnati, 10-3, to finally end their 13-game losing streak to Louisville. 

Ohio enters Friday’s game coming off a sweep at the hands of Ohio State.  OU lost both games to OSU by one goal. This game is a rematch of an earlier contest, October 14th in Cincinnati, that saw the Bobcats prevail over the Bearcats, 6-3. 

This matchup is a tough one to call because it's hard to see Ohio losing three games in a row, but it also is hard to see UC get swept by the Bobcats – especially after finally getting their monkey off their back the past weekend against Louisville. My prediction is Cincinnati wins a close game against the Bobcats

Other TSCHL Game Predictions

Akron- Drops both games handily to Miami (OH)

Bowling Green- Gets pounded by the Louisville Friday then losses relatively close Saturday to the Cards.

Cincinnati- Wins tight game Friday vs Ohio and wins another close one vs. Ohio State, but wouldn't be surprised to see Ohio State win.

Dayton- Close loss to Ohio State however possibly upsets OSU, before losing Saturday to Ohio.

Louisville- Takes care of business this weekend vs BGSU.

Miami- Sweeps Akron easily

Ohio- Loses to Cincy, beats Dayton

Ohio State- Prevails in close matchup with Dayton but, but loses a close one to Cincinnati.

Pittsburgh- Plays Mercyhurst and West Virginia. Wins one and Loses one – you pick which…

Wright State- plays Cleveland state. I think the WSU Raiders pull this one out.

Xavier- loses both games to Notre Dame

Upset Alerts:

Ohio State, coming off big sweep of Ohio, has a trap game against Dayton.

Cincinnati playing Ohio State Saturday, after Ohio the night before, could be a tough one for the Bearcats.

--- Kyle Hughes