Well, thanks to Colgate getting a win in overtime and Boston University’s continued inconsistency, I am now three games back of Arlan in our season picks race. Luckily, I am on top in the NCHC race! And, of course, there’s always time to make it up this year (as I did last season). Last week, I went 11-6-1 (.638) to bring my season total to 31-14-5 (.670), while Arlan went 12-5-1 (.694) to move to 34-11-5 (.730) on the year. Let’s see if I can chip at Arlan’s lead this week.
Friday, Oct. 25
Clarkson at Cornell
Candace: Cornell looked good against Northeastern, and is home. Advantage: Big Red. Cornell 4-2
Arlan: A week ago, I’d have gone with Clarkson, and one’s first answer is often the right answer. Cornell 2-1
Quinnipiac at Harvard
Candace: Can the Bobcats prove they belong at the top of the class? Something tells me no. Harvard 4-2
Arlan: Quinnipiac steps up in class and Harvard steps out of the gate. Harvard 3-2
Princeton at Dartmouth
Candace: I honestly don’t know what to expect out of this game, so we’ll go with home ice. Dartmouth 4-2
Arlan: Dartmouth usually bounces back after losses like the one to BC. Dartmouth 2-1
Friday-Saturday, Oct. 25-26
Providence home-and-home with Northeastern
Candace: I hate picking Providence games. And Northeastern games. And any Hockey East games other than Boston College. Northeastern swept this series last year. They probably won’t this season, but to avoid getting the dates wrong, I’ll call a sweep. Northeastern 2-1, 2-1
Arlan: The teams played some wild affairs last season, but the Huskies always won. Northeastern 5-2, Providence 2-1
Minnesota at Bemidji State
Candace: Minnesota should continue to roll. Minnesota 4-1, 5-1
Arlan: Of the current WCHA venues, Bemidji State’s Sandford Center is where the Gophers have the poorest winning percentage. Minnesota 3-1, 5-1
Minnesota-Duluth at Minnesota State
Candace: The Bulldogs are coming off a disappointing series with Minnesota, and should be up for a sweep to rebound from it. Minnesota-Duluth 4-2, 3-2
Arlan: Must wins for the Bulldogs, but Mankato can be a very tough place to play. Minnesota-Duluth 2-1, 4-2
North Dakota at St. Cloud State
Candace: After a disappointing loss at home to Ohio State, North Dakota needs the points big time. North Dakota 4-2, 4-1
Arlan: UND has taken the last dozen meetings head to head; does that continue? North Dakota 3-2, 7-1
Boston College at Syracuse
Candace: Syracuse has been pretty good so far this year, but I expect the Eagles to take it. Boston College 3-1
Arlan: Syracuse is 0-1-1 in this series, but the teams haven’t played in three years. Boston College 3-2
Vermont at Robert Morris
Candace: If there’s anything I hate more than picking Providence games, it’s picking Robert Morris games. Robert Morris 4-2, 3-2
Arlan: What’s more fun than picking a Catamounts/Colonials game? Picking two of them! Robert Morris 2-1, 3-2
Saturday, Oct. 26
St. Lawrence at Cornell
Candace: I expect this to be close, but the Big Red should prevail. Cornell 4-2
Arlan: Can Clarkson soften the Big Red up enough for the Saints to take advantage? Cornell 4-2
Quinnipiac at Dartmouth
Candace: Oh bother. Flip a coin? I’ll go with home ice. Dartmouth 2-1
Arlan: As you said, the Bobcats are usually good at winning the games they should, and I think that includes Dartmouth. Quinnipiac 4-2
Princeton at Harvard
Candace: Princeton has played Harvard tough the last few years, but the Crimson have too much. Harvard 3-1
Arlan: The Tigers have been the tricky part of this travel pairing for the Crimson, but not in the last five meetings. Harvard 4-1
Saturday-Sunday, Oct. 26-27
New Hampshire at Penn State
Candace: UNH has been consistently inconsistent, but the Wildcats should have enough for a sweep. New Hampshire 4-2, 4-1
Arlan: If both UNH and Penn State play to potential, the Wildcats should come out on top. New Hampshire 3-1, 4-3
Tuesday, Oct. 29
Boston University at Northeastern
Candace: This is one of those games that I have no idea what to expect. Boston University 4-2
Arlan: Ask me with a minute remaining in this game and I’ll probably still get it wrong. Boston University 3-2
