Last Week:
Dan: 9-4-2
Chris: 8-5-2
On the season:
Dan 21-10-2 (.667)
Chris 22-9-2 (.697)
This Week’s Picks
Friday, October 25th and Saturday October 26th:
Robert Morris vs. Ohio State
Dan: I find it hard to believe that RMU could be winless to this point. I feel the same way about Ohio State. Before I ever picked this, I knew Chris and I would say something similar. Robert Morris on Friday; Ohio State on Saturday
Chris: Both teams are looking for their first win of the season. I think they’ll each get that. Ohio State wins Friday; Robert Morris Saturday.
Quinnipiac vs. Holy Cross
Dan: Quinnipiac outshot Bentley by a 50-13 margin, but they only won by one. I hope Rand Pecknold is a fan of The Who, because They Won’t Be Fooled Again. Quinnipiac sweeps
Chris: Holy Cross hasn’t beaten the Bobcats since 2005 and I don’t think it will happen this weekend. Quinnipiac sweeps.
Mercyhurst at Alaska
Dan: This Laker team is too good to be 1-4, but Fairbanks jet lag has to count for at least one loss. Alaska wins on Friday; Mercyhurst on Saturday
Chris: The road warrior Lakers are at it again. Mercyhurst is 0-5 all-time against the Nanooks, but I’m picking them to win the second game. Alaska wins Friday; Mercyhurst Saturday.
Friday, October 25:
Rochester Institute of Technology at Penn State
Dan: Penn State struggled with Air Force last weekend. This game, with less emotion than the opener against Army, will be similar to that now that RIT can be just another game. RIT wins.
Chris: Penn State spoiled RIT’s homecoming last season, and they’re a better team this year. RIT may be as well, but not enough to get the victory. Penn State wins.
Canisius at Air Force
Dan: Not only is this a chance for revenge after being swept out of the playoffs last year, but this is also a chance for Air Force to remind Canisius who’s top dog in the AHA. Air Force wins.
Chris: Canisius usually plays well at the Academy, including a sweep in last year’s quarterfinals. But The Falcons are playing well and I think they get some revenge. Air Force wins.
Niagara at Denver
Dan: I think Denver is a team that will compete for the NCHC’s inaugural title. The AHA has really struggled stepping out of the league this year, too. Denver wins.
Chris: The Pioneers are smarting from a pair of tough losses last weekend in Alaska, and I think home cooking carries them this weekend. Denver wins.
Union at Connecticut
Dan: UConn is on the rise, and Union is a little bit down. Their paths haven’t intersected yet though. It’ll be close, but I think Union wins.
Chris: Union is another squad coming off a tough weekend, but so are the Huskies. I think UConn takes its home opener. UConn wins.
Saturday, October 26th:
Sacred Heart at American International
Dan: This is going to boil down to goaltending. Granted there’s only one game on AIC’s docket and it was against a team expected to contend in Hockey East, but SHU is vastly improved in the back. Sacred Heart wins.
Chris: The Pioneers are an improved team and AIC gave up ten goals in a loss to Providence last Saturday, but I think the Yellow Jackets will rebound. AIC wins.
Canisius at Denver
Dan: See also: Niagara at Denver. Denver wins.
Chris: I’m predicting more of the same for Denver in a home sweep of AHA teams. Denver wins.
Bentley at Harvard
Dan: After pasting the Falcons to open their season last year, Harvard fell off badly. They graduated three of their top five scorers, and their defense has questions. Bentley is dealing with injuries, but despite bad shot discrepancies, they haven’t been blown out. They’re screaming for a break through. Bentley wins.
Chris: Bentley had hundreds of fans at last year’s meeting at Bright Center, but went home disappointed as Harvard rolled, 5-0. But I I think Bentley breaks through this time. Bentley wins.
Army at Merrimack
Dan: Merrimack is sorely underrated with a packed top tier of Hockey East. This game is almost completely sold out, too, save for about 50 standing room tickets as of press time. Merrimack wins.
Chris: Army has an unusual early schedule, playing its first game on 10/11 at Penn State, and then off for over two weeks. Merrimack has four games under its belt including a split last with Mercyhurst last weekend. Merrimack wins.
Sunday, October 27:
Niagara at Air Force
Dan: The AHA has a funny way of correcting itself so nobody ever really pulls too far away. Adrian Ignani will continue to assert himself among the league’s elite. Niagara wins.
Chris: This should be an entertaining matchup, as Niagara looks to erase the memory of a pair of lopsided losses in the last weekend of 2012-13 regular season. But I think the Falcons are poised for a four-point weekend. Air Force wins.
