Last Week: 8-2-2
On the Season: 149-60-27 (.689)
This Week’s Picks:
Friday, Feb. 24 and Saturday, Feb. 25
Air Force at Robert Morris – The Falcons are the only team that has locked up a first round bye going into the final weekend, but the Falcons still need three points to guarantee the top seed. Robert Morris has to sweep and still needs a lot of help to finish in the top four. I’m picking a split. Air Force 3, RMU 2; RMU 2, Air Force 1.
Rochester Institute of Technology vs. Niagara – RIT needs two points to clinch a bye; Niagara three. The Tigers have yet to beat Niagara since moving to Division I (0-6-3) and haven’t defeated the Purple Eagles since 1996. I think they break that streak, but only on home ice on Saturday. Niagara hosts Friday. Niagara 4, RIT 2; RIT 2, Niagara 1.
Holy Cross vs. Bentley – Both teams have feasted on the lower part of the standings in recent weeks, but now face each other in a crucial showdown. The Falcons need three points for a bye while the Crusaders need a sweep. I think neither team gets what it wants and will be scoreboard watching on Saturday. Bentley 4, Holy Cross 3; Holy Cross 5, Bentley 4.
Mercyhurst vs. Canisius – The Lakers need three points to lock up a bye and I think they’ll sweep their long-time rivals. Mercyhurst 3, Canisius 2; Mercyhurst 4, Canisius 2.
Army vs. Sacred Heart – This series will determine who finishes last in the regular season. The Pioneers need to sweep the Black Knights to avoid the basement, and I think they’ll do it. Sacred Heart 3, Army 2; Sacred Heart 4, Army 3.
Connecticut vs. American International – UConn needs a point to host a first round playoff series as well as regaining the momentum the Huskies have lost since the holidays. I’m picking them to right the ship with a sweep. UConn 4, AIC 2; UConn 3, AIC 1.
So my final predictions for the regular season standings are:
1. Mercyhurst
2. Air Force (loses tiebreaker with Mercyhurst)
3. RIT
4. Niagara
5. Bentley (loses tiebreaker with Niagara)
6. Holy Cross
7. Robert Morris
8. Connecticut
9. Canisius
10. AIC
11. Sacred Heart
12. Army (loses tiebreaker to Sacred Heart)
Take Me On
Feel free to chime in by posting your picks in the comments.
