For the last few years, I have won the picks race, usually edging Arlan out by a couple of games. The way things are shaping up right now, Arlan is winning in a walk. Last week, I went a respectable 17-4-1 (.795) to move to 155-54-21 (.719). Arlan however, went 19-2-1 (.886) to move to 164-45-21 (.758). Maybe I should invoke the mercy rule.
I’m going to try to chip back at this just to make my humiliation more acceptable.
Friday, Jan. 10
Yale at Dartmouth
Candace: Can the game against Boston University be a turnaround for Dartmouth? Dartmouth 3-2
Arlan: I’m assuming Phoebe Staenz will be back with the Bulldogs after playing for her country last weekend. Yale 4-3
Brown at Harvard
Candace: I’m assuming that like against Cornell, Brown will keep it close. Harvard 3-1
Arlan: After falling to struggling Colgate on home ice, the second half looks bleak for Brown. Harvard 3-0
Quinnipiac at Rensselaer
Candace: Rensselaer is an enigma, but Quinnipiac has usually won when it should. Quinnipiac 3-0
Arlan: These are the type of road games that the Bobcats have lost in past years. Quinnipiac 2-0
Princeton at Union
Candace: Union has been better than last year, but it’s not enough. Princeton 3-1
Arlan: The Dutchwomen are improving, but their gains are more evident out of conference. Princeton 3-1
Syracuse at RIT
Candace: I’ll go with home ice and hope RIT doesn’t disappoint. RIT 2-1
Arlan: RIT went winless versus the Orange last year with a tie and three one-goal losses. Syracuse 2-1
Friday-Saturday, Jan. 10-11
Clarkson home-and-home with St. Lawrence
Candace: Last year, Clarkson lost its chance at a season sweep in the final game between the two. I don’t see it happening this year. Clarkson 3-1, 3-2
Arlan: It’s never over; the Saints have scored five extra-attacker goals this season. Clarkson 2-1, 3-0
Connecticut at Vermont
Candace: Connecticut has been better this year, but home ice should be worth a sweep. Vermont 3-2, 2-1
Arlan: Catamounts have played eight straight decided by a goal or less; Huskies have lost their last seven. I sense overtime — each team has six OT games this season. Vermont 4-3, 1-0
Providence home-and-home with New Hampshire
Candace: Providence may have gotten over its dreadful November. New Hampshire 3-1, Providence 3-1
Arlan: After losing seven, winning three, and losing three, PC won on Sunday. UNH’s win on 12/8 broke a six-game skid. New Hampshire 3-1, 4-3
Minnesota State at Minnesota-Duluth
Candace: Minnesota State has the misfortune of playing in the WCHA. In other conferences, I think their record would be better. Minnesota-Duluth 3-2, 3-1
Arlan: The Mavericks should be able to hold the score down, but their offense has been struggling to post big numbers. Minnesota-Duluth 2-1, 3-1
Ohio State at Minnesota
Candace: The Gopher train starts 2014 off golden. Minnesota 4-1, 4-0
Arlan: Look for the Buckeyes to score more often and commit fewer penalties in 2014. Minnesota 3-2, 4-1
Cornell at Mercyhurst
Candace: Mercyhurst really needs one of these games. Cornell 3-1, Mercyhurst 3-2
Arlan: The Lakers play possum so convincingly that even though I know they are going to win, I still can’t pick them. Cornell 4-3, 3-0
Saturday, Jan. 11
Brown at Dartmouth
Candace: Brown has trouble scoring. So does Dartmouth. Dartmouth 2-1
Arlan: Six weeks ago, I’d have gone with Brown. Dartmouth 2-1
Yale at Harvard
Candace: I’ll take Emerance. Harvard 3-1
Arlan: Harvard’s power play will be a factor in this one. Harvard 3-1
Princeton at Rensselaer
Candace: Can home ice pull RPI through? I’ve picked against Princeton at my peril this year. Princeton 3-1
Arlan: On home ice, RPI should come closer than the first meeting, although likely not close enough. Princeton 2-1
Quinnipiac at Union
Candace: The Bobcats keep the pressure on the conference leaders. Quinnipiac 3-1
Arlan: The Bobcats have let a few ECAC points slip away, so they’ll need to secure these two. Quinnipiac 2-0
Boston University at Maine
Candace: Hockey East’s worst team should give BU a chance to get back to its winning ways. Boston University 3-1
Arlan: If the Terriers’ skaters don’t make more of an effort to defend their own net than they made at home versus BC, then they’ll lose at Maine as well. Boston University 3-2
Saturday-Sunday, Jan. 11-12
Northeastern home and home with Boston College
Candace: The Eagles look awfully good on Wednesday against BU. They need to continue that level of play. One of these will be close. Boston College 4-1, 3-2
Arlan: It’s been a few years since Northeastern defeated BC outside of tournament play. Boston College 4-1, 5-3
North Dakota at Wisconsin
Candace: I’d like to pick North Dakota in one of these, but history says I’d be wrong, especially in Madison. Wisconsin 3-2, 3-1
Arlan: Can UND stop an unbeaten streak that is almost three months old? Even if they are without Alex Rigsby for another week, it’s tough to score on the Badgers. Wisconsin 3-2, 2-0
Wednesday, Jan. 15
Northeastern at Connecticut
Candace: The Huskies will win. Oh, you want me to pick one? Northeastern 3-1
Arlan: Games played in 2014 are adding up quickly for UConn. Northeastern 4-3
