Last Week:
Dan: 4-4-0
Chris: 4-4-0
On the season:
Dan: 114-53-17 (.666)
Chris: 113-54-17 (.660)
This Week’s Picks
Friday, Jan. 31 and Saturday, Feb 1:
Connecticut at Air Force
Dan: I think the RMU series might have exposed some of the issues with Air Force down the stretch. They were down 3-0 until the final five seconds of Friday, and they gave up three second period goals in Saturday’s loss. On the flip side, I think UConn has a good chance to catch the top two, especially with next against Bentley looming. UConn sweeps.
Chris: UConn has had success against the Western Pod this season (5-2-3) but I like the Falcons, still smarting froma sweep at the hands of Robert Morris last weekend, to come out hard at home. Air Force is 16-2-1 against UConn at the Cadet Ice Arena, and I think it will put another pair of wins in the book. Air Force sweeps.
Canisius at American International
Dan: Canisius is starting to load up to get hot, and they shouldn’t have much trouble with AIC. Canisius sweeps.
Chris: Canisius is coming off a nice win at first-place Mercyhurst and is 12-0-2 against AIC in their last fourteen meetings. I’m picking the Golden Griffins to extend that streak. Canisius sweeps.
Holy Cross at Rochester Institute of Technology
Dan: I think Holy Cross has the horses to go into RIT and take a game, and I think RIT’s goaltending is in box of chocolates mode – you never know what you’re gonna get. That said, RIT usually beats Holy Cross at home and the Tigers have had success against the east. Don’t be shocked if Holy Cross takes a game. RIT sweeps.
Chris: Holy Cross is a better team than than its record indicates, and despite the Tigers’ dominance over the Crusaders at Ritter Arena (12-1) over the years, I’m picking Holy Cross to continue RIT’s woes. Holy Cross sweeps.
Niagara at Sacred Heart
Dan: Niagara is starting to pick up steam, and I think this trip east is going to set them up for a decent run through the west that’ll see them finish higher than a bubble first round home series. Niagara sweeps.
Chris: Niagara found its groove last weekend, and I like the Purple Eagles to build off some new-found confidence. Niagara sweeps.
Army at Robert Morris
Dan: Army has really struggled in league play this year, having not won since Pearl Harbor Day back in December. I don’t see a reason that changes this weekend when they play a Robert Morris team that could conceivably finish in the top four and be in a second round home series at this rate. Robert Morris sweeps.
Chris: The Colonials are playing their best hockey of the season, and while Army will be bolstered by a nice come-from-behind win over rival Royal Military College of Canada last weekend, I think RMU gets a pair of wins at home. Robert Morris sweeps.
Bentley at Mercyhurst
Dan: This is going to be a titan matchup. Both teams have solid offenses, stout defenses, and strong goaltending. I give an edge to Mercyhurst because I think their offense is a little bit better than Bentley’s, but I think this is a litmus test for both teams that provide them both with a win. Mercyhurst wins on Friday. Bentley wins on Saturday.
Chris: I saved the best for last. This is the final weekend of interpod play, and we’ll go out with a bang as the first and second-place teams square off. They split last year in Watertown, and I think they will again in Erie. Mercyhurst wins Friday; Bentley wins Saturday.
