Well, thank’s to Emily Field’s OT goal (see photo at right), I maintained my slim lead over Arlan in the picks race. If I 
had gone with my original intention before looking at game scores, I would have picked Providence though and be up by three. Last week, Arlan and I went 17-3 (.850) to bring my season record to 143-52-19 (.759) and his to 142-53-19 (.754). There’s room for either me to open up a lead or him to tie me this weekend, so let’s get to it.
Friday, Jan. 18
St. Lawrence at Cornell
Candace: The Saints are playing better, but Cornell needs this game. Cornell 4-1
Arlan: I’d like to pick SLU, but the OT loss to BC may have stung the Big Red and motivated better effort. Cornell 3-2
Rensselaer at Harvard
Candace: Harvard stays undefeated in conference. Harvard 4-1
Arlan: The Crimson extend ECAC perfection at least another weekend. Harvard 4-0
Friday-Saturday, Jan. 18-19
Quinnipiac at Robert Morris
Candace: This is another of those series that baffles me a bit. Robert Morris has been off lately, but the last time the Bobcats went up against a CHA team, things did not go well. Expect two close games. Quinnipiac 3-2, 2-1
Arlan: These teams have been scuffling in 2013, though I have no idea what we’ll see from the Bobcats from game-to-game. Robert Morris 3-2, Quinnipiac 4-2
St. Cloud at Ohio State
Candace: St. Cloud is better this season, but home ice should help the Buckeyes. Ohio State 3-1, 4-1
Arlan: Both coming off being swept on the road, but the Buckeyes get home cooking this weekend. Ohio State 2-1, 6-2
Wisconsin at North Dakota
Candace: I picked a split the last time these two played, and I got hung out to dry when the Badgers swept. I’m going with Wisconsin FTW. Wisconsin 4-2, 3-2
Arlan: UND gets that elusive first win over a Mark Johnson team. North Dakota 3-1, Wisconsin 4-2
Minnesota-Duluth at Bemidji State
Candace: Both teams have struggled this season, but the Bulldogs show signs of righting the ship. Minnesota-Duluth 4-2, 4-1
Arlan: UMD is a on a six-game unbeaten string that started versus the Beavers. Minnesota-Duluth 2-0, 5-2
Boston College at Mercyhurst
Candace: I wouldn’t be surprised if one of these is a tie, but the Eagles are flying high right now. Boston College 4-2, 4-3
Arlan: Lakers can’t afford to lose, but BC never does. Boston College 3-2, 5-3
Saturday, Jan. 19
Clarkson at Cornell
Candace: I imagine that the Big Red will carry the memory of the last meeting between these two with them into this game. Cornell 3-1
Arlan: Clarkson has three losses and four single-goal wins since besting Cornell. Cornell 2-1
Rensselaer at Dartmouth
Candace: Dartmouth has been playing better since losing to the Engineers a few weeks ago. Dartmouth 4-2
Arlan: Dartmouth avenges loss in Troy. Dartmouth 3-2
Northeastern at Providence
Candace: Can Providence pull the upset? My best guess says no. Northeastern 3-2
Arlan: A three-game losing skid against top-five teams has the Huskies desperate for a win. Northeastern 4-3
Saturday-Sunday, Jan. 19-20
New Hampshire at Connecticut
Candace: The Wildcats could go a long way toward home ice in the HEA tournament by sweeping this. New Hampshire 3-1, 4-2
Arlan: Not real confident here, because there are hints that UConn is improving, but no percentage in a team with one win in 14 games, even at home. New Hampshire 4-2, 3-2
