Well, thanks to correctly picking RIT on Saturday night, I gained another game lead over Arlan on the season. I went 14-2-1 (.852), to move to 170-56-22 (.729) on the year. Arlan went 13-3-1 (.794) to move to 168-58-22 (.721) on the year. Can I hold him off and win the six pack? Time will tell!
Friday, Feb. 1
Harvard at Dartmouth
Candace: Harvard won’t want to lose this game ahead of the Beanpot. Harvard 3-2
Arlan: Dartmouth has not been nearly as consistent defensively. Harvard 4-1
Brown at Quinnipiac
Candace: The Bears have shown a lack of scoring, which will do them in. Quinnipiac 4-1
Arlan: The Bears and Bobcats have played to a tie in each of the previous three seasons. Quinnipiac 3-1
Friday-Saturday, Feb. 1-2
Syracuse at Robert Morris
Candace: These two split in the first half, but the Colonials were playing better at that time. Syracuse 3-2, 2-1
Arlan: If considered as the Orange playing some anonymous opponent, am I still doomed to get it wrong? Syracuse 2-1, 3-2
St. Lawrence vs. Clarkson
Candace: I expect these to be two close games. Can Clarkson carry momentum from defeating Harvard last weekend? Clarkson 3-1, 4-2
Arlan: Can the Golden Knights sweep all four games in this rivalry of neighbors? Clarkson 2-1, St. Lawrence 2-1
Providence vs. Connecticut
Candace: Connecticut has looked dreadful of late. Providence 4-1, 5-1
Arlan: The Huskies may not win again this season. Providence 5-2, 6-1
Ohio State at Bemidji State
Candace: The Buckeyes have been struggling since the second half started, but I think they have just enough in this series. Ohio State 3-2, 3-2
Arlan: I’d like to pick them, but the Beavers suffered their worst weekend of the season in Columbus. Ohio State 4-3, 3-1
North Dakota at Minnesota State
Candace: North Dakota has showed improvement defensively, which should make the rest of the WCHA nervous. North Dakota 4-1, 5-1
Arlan: The Mavericks had taken points from every home series until facing Minnesota two weeks ago. North Dakota 3-2, 7-3
Minnesota-Duluth at Minnesota
Candace: Can anybody stop the Gophers express? If so, it won’t be this weekend. Minnesota 4-2, 4-1
Arlan: I suspect that these games will be more competitive than the contests in November. Minnesota 2-1, 3-1
Saturday, Feb. 2
Northeastern at Boston University
Candace: Northeastern’s Achilles’ Heel is it’s inability to beat the best teams in the conference. Boston University 4-2
Arlan: Northeastern scored a healthy 29 goals in January, but allowed 35. Boston University 5-3
Boston College at Maine
Candace: If the Eagles do, in fact, have Skarupa back, the score may be even more lopsided. Boston College 5-1
Arlan: Just the team Maine wants to see after yielding nine goals to Providence. Boston College 9-0
Saturday-Sunday, Feb. 2-3
New Hampshire at Vermont
Candace: New Hampshire is definitely positioning itself for a top-four finish in conference. New Hampshire 4-2, 3-2
Arlan: Vermont has followed up its program-record six-game unbeaten streak with a seven-game winless streak. New Hampshire 4-2, 3-2
Tuesday, Feb. 5
Boston College vs. Harvard (Beanpot)
Candace: A big test for both teams. With Skarupa back, I have to go with the Eagles. Boston College 4-2
Arlan: The Eagles have claimed the previous three encounters. Boston College 3-2
Boston University vs. Northeastern (Beanpot)
Candace: Northeastern upended the Terriers in this game last year in OT on the Terriers’ home ice. I’d imagine BU wants payback. Boston University 4-2
Arlan: Different rink, same result. Boston University 5-3