First Picks and Predictions of 2025
New Year, New Team. Who will stick to their ‘resolutions’?
Craig Peterson
January 7, 2025
Didn’t start the season the way you wanted to? Bit by the injury bug early? A couple bounces went their way, and not yours? Well, a New Year brings new opportunities, and a chance to wipe the slate clean. Are you going to let the bad juju carry over to 2025 or hit the reset button with a 0-0-0 record? It’s New Year’s Resolution season, and I’m sure many teams and players around the state are committed to being a different version of themselves moving forward. But it’s real easy to talk about change, and a completely different thing to make tangible improvements.
This week’s slate of games offers plenty of opportunity to start the New Year off on the right foot. A quick recap of the records, and we’ll get into the picks:
Petey: 40-17-3
Public: 38-18-4
Tuesday, Jan. 7
Marquette vs. Jeffers
Mountainview Arena @ 6:30 p.m.
I’ll preface this game by saying I love this Marquette team. But I haven’t loved the way games have gone for them lately. As big of a fan as I am of guys like Seth Sandstrom and Brody Sheldon, this Sentinels team has shown signs of susceptibility. That leaves the door open for an 11-1-0 Jeffers squad to do something the program hasn’t done, maybe ever? The Jets are 0-5 dating back to the ‘20-21 season, being out-scored by Marquette 33-4 in the series. But senior Brit Heinonen has this Jeffers program doing things it’s never done this season, and I think they add one more ‘first’ to their resume this week. J-E-T-S, JETS! JETS! JETS! 4-3.
Petey’s Pick: Jeffers
Wednesday, Jan. 8
Dexter vs. Ann Arbor Pioneer
Veterans Memorial Ice Arena @ 7 p.m.
The No. 1 team in the SEC White takes on the No. 1 team in the SEC Red. Dexter is just 1-7-1 in this series dating back to the ‘16-17 season, but this season’s Dreads team is a different bunch. They’re oozing confidence with a 9-2-0 record and a one-two punch offensively with Jeremy Schroeder and Jaden Boomhour. But I think this is where Pioneer’s dual participation in the Metro League pays off in spades because they’ve played a much tougher slate of games to this point of the season. It’s close, with both offenses getting theirs in a 4-3 type of game but Anthony Yang’s Pioneers and their experience pays off in this tough road game.
Petey’s Pick: Ann Arbor Pioneer
Grandville vs. GRCC
Griff’s Georgetown Ice Arena @ 7:30 p.m.
Jakob Aron made 30 saves in a 2-0 shutout win over Grandville just 10 days ago. GRCC was able to keep the high-powered offense of Landon Smith and the Bulldogs at bay. Low-scoring games have been the Cougars’ calling card this season. But as disciplined and structured as coach Mike Slobodnik’s squad is, I just don’t know that you can keep Grandville grounded for much longer. After 51 minutes of scoreless hockey head-to-head, I’ve got to imagine between Smith, Mason Schroeder, Bennett Eisma and Lewis Gardine, someone’s gotta break through eventually and give Grandville the win in the rematch.
Petey’s Pick: Grandville
Thursday, Jan. 9
Divine Child vs. Ann Arbor Pioneer
Taylor Sportsplex @ 7:10 p.m.
Pioneer’s second appearance in the picks this week with a big Metro League matchup against Divine Child. I haven’t had many opportunities to talk about the Falcons yet this season, but that changes in 2025. They are 6-1-1 in their last eight, with a one-goal loss to Grosse Ile being their only blemish in that stretch. Brothers Brody and Braeden McNamara have been electric, coupled with Kole Boike. They’ve got three games this week, all rematches of games played earlier in the season. I think the second time around with Pioneer nets different results. Falcons fly 4-3.
Petey’s Pick: Divine Child
Friday, Jan. 10
Birmingham Unified vs. Reeths-Puffer
Lakeshore Sports Centre @ 4:45 p.m.
On paper, this matchup feels very slanted in favor of Reeths-Puffer. But this trip to West Michigan has historically been a fulfilling one for Birmingham Unified. The Kings are 2-2-0 in their previous two trips to Muskegon, with a pair of one-goal losses in last season’s outing. Coach Zach Warson has this trip dialed in for the boys; it’s all business. I fully expect this game to be close, and because of that, I’m willing to give Chase Hamlin and the Kings a fighting chance in this game. Maybe a big performance from Isaac Hosfield in net helps solidify the victory too.
Petey’s Pick: Birmingham Unified
FHNE vs. Rockford
Patterson Ice Center @ 6:30 p.m.
They’re 1-7-0 in their last eight, but the Rams have been real close to breaking through lately. This stretch of games for Rockford leading up to the MIHL Showcase offers plenty of opportunities to ‘get right’ in the New Year. Sean Hall and FHNE are looking for some positivity of their own as well, with a 3-8-2 overall record. The Bird Dogs tied Mattawan, beat No. 17 Grandville 3-2 and gave No. 19 Caledonia a competitive game before Christmas. Both the Rams and Husky Hawks are better teams than their records would suggest, and a win here could propel the victor to a strong second half. It may not be pretty, but Rockford scratches and claws out a 3-2 win.
Petey’s Pick: Rockford
Saturday, Jan. 11
Saline vs. Jackson
Biggby Ice Cube @ 5:30 p.m.
There may not be a closer matchup on this week’s slate than Saline and Jackson. Four shared opponents between these two teams that have netted similar results. It feels like a one-goal game, which signals two things to me: 1. Who has better goaltending? 2. Who has last change? The Hornets being at home plays a factor, where they’re unbeaten in their last nine games dating back to last season. On top of that, I’ll give them a slight, slight edge in net as well. It’s a low-scoring, one-goal game with a 3-2 or 2-1 type of feel to it. Saline’s top line of Antonio Giacalone, Bryce Sattler and Jace Woodrel might get stonewalled early, but persistence eventually breaks through for the win.
Petey’s Pick: Saline
Want to talk about it? Let's connect on social:
