Well, last week both Arlan and I did well, each going 6-1 (.857). He correctly picked Dartmouth upending Cornell, while I correctly picked Providence beating UNH. On the season, I am 51-17-9 (.720) while Arlan is 48-20-9 (.681). We’ve got a lot of games on tap for the coming week before Thanksgiving, with some intriguing weekday match-ups as well on Tuesday and Wednesday, so let’s get to it.
Friday, November 18
Northeastern at Boston College
Candace: Boston College fired 40 shots on the Northeastern goal Thursday, despite going into a defensive shell for the last 18 minutes of the third period. I like the Eagles again. Boston College 3-1
Arlan: If Northeastern plays a whole game like the last few minutes Thursday, it will be a different result. Boston College 2-1
St. Lawrence at Dartmouth
Candace: I am going to take last weekend as a sign that Dartmouth has finally worked through the inconsistencies that plagued the team in the first month. Dartmouth 4-2
Arlan: Sorry Saints, usually 3-2 is my default score, but this week I’m mixing in some 4-0 results. Dartmouth 4-0
Clarkson at Harvard
Candace: Harvard has speed, and has looked like its old self so far. Clarkson has gotten back to 2009-2010 form, but I don’t think they have enough to beat Harvard. Harvard 3-1
Arlan: Clarkson is unbeaten at home, but has struggled on the road. Harvard 2-1
Friday-Saturday, November 18-19
Minnesota State at North Dakota
Candace: I think the Sioux are too strong. The Lamoureux sisters have been tearing it up; Jocelyne has 30 points, while Monique has 27, leading the nation 1-2 in scoring, with Brianna Decker tied for second with Monique. Aside from one glitch against Minnesota-Duluth, the Sioux have looked really good. North Dakota 5-1, 4-0
Arlan: MSU’s better results have come at home; Grand Forks isn’t home. North Dakota 4-2, 5-2
Wisconsin at RPI
Candace: The Badgers keep rolling. This is a good “get back into the swing after Four Nations” series. Wisconsin 5-1, 6-0
Arlan: The Badgers blew away RPI twice in Madison last year; I don’t see a change of venue making a difference. Wisconsin 6-1, 4-0
New Hampshire at Minnesota
Candace: Aside from the come-from-behind win against Dartmouth, the Wildcats have yet to prove they are back near the upper echelon. Expect big games from Amanda Kessel and Jen Schoullis. Minnesota 5-1, 4-1
Arlan: The Wildcats and Gophers have been evenly-matched historically, but they haven’t played in five years. Minnesota 3-2, 5-0
Saturday, November 19
Clarkson at Dartmouth
Candace: See above re: Dartmouth turning a corner. I like the Big Green in a nail-biter. Dartmouth 2-1
Arlan: My magic 8-ball told me Dartmouth gets upset at home this week. Clarkson 3-2
St. Lawrence at Harvard
Candace: Harvard crushed the Saints last month in Appleton. I don’t think it will be that much of a blowout this time, but I’m picking the Crimson. Harvard 4-1
Arlan: I picked the Saints over the Crimson at Appleton Arena and remember how well that worked out. Harvard 4-0
Cornell at Quinnipiac
Candace: Though they gave up five last weekend to Dartmouth, Cornell is back to its big, bad self with the return of four players and the coach from the Four Nations Cup. Cornell 5-1
Arlan: Quinnipiac may be warming up, going 4-1-1 over the last six, but the Big Red have been hot throughout. Cornell 5-2
Connecticut at Boston University
Candace: Though they are without Poulin still, the Terriers have been winning the games they are supposed to. Boston University 4-1
Arlan: UConn finished 1-6-2 last season and is off to a 1-10-2 start; not good. BU 4-0
Saturday-Sunday, November 18-19
Bemidji State at Minnesota-Duluth
Candace: I figure that once again, the Beavers will split with a team that has historically been one of the big powers in the conference. The question is, which night? I’m going to repeat my Minnesota series pick and hope I’m right. Minnesota-Duluth 3-2, Bemidji State 3-2
Arlan: I like Bemidji State, but expect the Bulldogs to be a different team from this point forward. UMD 2-1, 4-1
Sunday, November 19
Boston University at Providence
Candace: Yes, the Friars have shown signs of righting a very inconsistent ship so far this season, going 5-1-1 since being upset by Vermont, but the last time they face a really good team, they fell to Boston College. Boston University 3-1
Arlan: Wake me when Poulin returns for BU. Providence 3-2
Tuesday-Wednesday, November 22-23
St. Lawrence at Mercyhurst
Candace: Aside from that OT blip against Minnesota State, the Lakers have seemed to do well in overcoming the loss of Agosta and Bendus. I may be overestimating them, but I’ll go with a Lakers sweep. Mercyhurst 3-1, 3-2
Arlan: Both the Saints and Lakers are playing four games in six days, after MC hardly played in a month. Wayne State effect, perhaps? Mercyhurst 5-1, SLU 2-1
Tuesday, November 22
Boston College at Quinnipiac
Candace: I figure if the Eagles can sweep Northeastern like I expect, they will use that as momentum going up against an under-performing Quinnipiac team. Boston College 3-1
Arlan: Maybe the Bobcats get rolling in the second half. BC 3-2
Wednesday, November 23
Dartmouth at Harvard
Candace: This should be an excellent game to watch. Two traditional ECAC powers, both seeming to have returned to form. I’m going with home ice. Harvard 3-2
Arlan: More unfortunate scheduling — both Dartmouth and Harvard meetings come on consecutive Wednesdays. Harvard 4-2
