Last week: 4-4-3
On the season: 13-11-5 (.534)
This Week’s Picks:
Thursday, Oct. 25
Robert Morris at Rochester Institute of Technology – The Colonials were off last week while the Tigers suffered a stinging loss to Penn State. The teams have played at RIT three times in the past and each one ended in regulation tied 2-2. RIT won the first of those meetings in overtime. This time I think it will again be close but Tigers will only need regulation. RIT 4, RMU 3.
Air Force at Canisius – The Falcons and Golden Griffins also tied twice last season with Air Force winning outright in the other meeting. I think the Falcons rebound from last weekend. Air Force 3, Canisius 1.
Friday, Oct. 26 and Saturday, Oct.27
Niagara at Clarkson – The Purple Eagles were humbled in their last meeting with an ECAC team (10-2 loss at Colgate) but played well at Michigan State last weekend. Clarkson was defeated 3-1 by Holy Cross last Saturday and is looking for its first win. Niagara 4, Clarkson 3; Clarkson 4, Niagara 3.
Friday, Oct. 26
Connecticut at Holy Cross – This is shaping up to be a great inter-pod rivalry. I’m taking the Crusaders in their first of three meetings with the Huskies. Holy Cross 4, UConn 2.
No. 8 Union at American International – This is a plus for AIC to bring a Frozen Four team into the Olympia Ice Center. But Union is the better team and should prevail. Union 4, AIC 1.
Penn State at Army – The Nittany Lions beat RIT last weekend behind a strong showing from goaltender P.J. Musico. But I think Army gets the job done at home. Army 4, Penn State 3.
Alabama-Huntsville at Bentley – The Falcons have to be careful not to look ahead to Saturday’s game at Harvard. If they take care of business, they’ll win by at least two. Bentley 5, UAH 3.
RIT at Colgate – The Tigers have lost a pair of one-goal games to the Raiders since moving to Division I, but I think the Raiders win by one more than that this time. Colgate 5, RIT 3.
Saturday, Oct. 27
Army at Holy Cross – The Crusaders are playing well right now, and I don’t think they’ll let up here. Holy Cross 4, Army 2.
Air Force at Robert Morris – The Colonials are tough to beat at home, and I think they’ll prevail here. RMU 3, Air Force 2.
Alabama-Huntsville at American International – AIC and UAH have finished near the bottom of the PWR in recent years, and each looks to pick up a much-needed win here. I’m going with the Yellow Jackets at home. AIC 3, UAH 2.
Bentley at No. 17 Harvard – This is probably a bigger game for Bentley than it is for Harvard, which means its ripe for an upset. I’m still going with the high ranked team, despite this being the Crimson’s first game of the season. Harvard 4, Bentley 3.
Penn State at Sacred Heart – Both teams can certainly win this game, depending on which Penn State team shows up. I think it will be the one that beat RIT. Penn State 4, SHU 3.
No. 8 Union at Connecticut – Union is looking to sweep AHA teams this weekend, and I think it will be successful. Union 4, UConn 3.
Sunday, Oct. 29
Canisius at No. 2 Minnesota – The Gophers are smarting from a loss at Michigan Tech last weekend. They play the Under 18 on Friday and then the Golden Griffins in a Sunday afternoon game. I’m not picking an upset here. Minnesota 4, Canisius 1.
Feel free to post your picks in the comments and follow me on Twitter at @chrislerch for updates throughout the weekend.
