Last Week: 2-5-1 (first time since the opening weekend of the season that The Picks were under .500)
On the Season: 115-57-25 (.647)
This Week’s Picks:
Thursday, Feb. 15 and Saturday, Feb. 16
Canisius at Air Force – This series should feature some good goaltending, Tony Capobianco and Jason Torf are third and fourth, respectively, in the league in goals against average. The teams tied 1-1 in Buffalo earlier in the season. Right now the Falcons are the hotter team, 6-1-3 in their last ten games. The Golden Griffins are 5-5 over the same span. After a disappointing weekend the last time the Falcons were home (a loss and a tie to American International), I think Air Force doesn’t let up this time and wins a pair of close games. Air Force sweeps.
Army vs. Bentley – Both teams are looking to turn around their seasons before it’s too late. Army is winless in its last eight games; Bentley is on an 0-5 streak. The teams tend to do well in each others’ rinks but I think Bentley rights the ship and takes at least three points. I’m picking a Bentley sweep.
Rochester Institute of Technology at Mercyhurst – The Tigers usually fare well in Erie: 7-2-1 in the teams’ Division I eras. Mercyhurst defeated the Tigers at RIT earlier this season. RIT has played better on Saturday for the last month, and if that trend continues, it will be a Mercyhurst win on Friday; RIT win on Saturday.
Robert Morris vs. Niagara – The are the 46th and 47th meetings between the former College Hockey America rivals. The Purple Eagles will put an 18-game home unbeaten streak on the line on Friday before the Colonials host on Saturday. Niagara needs three points to clinch the regular season title and I think the Purps get it done. Niagara sweeps.
Holy Cross vs. Connecticut – The teams are tied for fourth, but Holy Cross has two games in hand. The Crusaders haven’t played in almost two weeks due to last weekend’s storm that wiped out its series with Sacred Heart. The Huskies are 4-1-1 in their last six games while Holy Cross is 3-3 over the same stretch. I’m taking the home team each night. Connecticut wins Friday; Holy Cross on Saturday.
American International vs. Sacred Heart – Which AHA team has the longest current unbeaten streak? AIC, at 2-0-2. Playing some of their best hockey of the season, I’m going with the Yellow Jackets over a rusty SHU squad. AIC sweeps.
Tuesday, Feb. 19
Holy Cross at Sacred Heart – This game was originally scheduled for Feb. 9. My original pick was a Holy Cross win.
Feel free to chime in by posting your picks in the comments and follow me on Twitter @chrislerch for updates throughout the weekend.
