Well, I gained back two more games on Arlan, so perhaps I’ll make my loss in the season picks race respectable after all. last week, I went 14-3-6 to move to 239-77-40 on the year, while Arlan went 12-5-6 to 246-70-40 on the year.
Perhaps I can shoot for only a four-game deficit by the end of the year. We’re picking most of the games this week too, so who knows.
Friday, Feb. 14
St. Lawrence at Dartmouth
Candace: St. Lawrence is looking to gain some ground in the ECAC race, and keep momentum after the win over Quinnipiac. Dartmouth has improved, but not enough. St. Lawrence 3-2
Arlan: Dartmouth is getting better; SLU is getting better. Guess that means the Saints are a slight favorite. St. Lawrence 3-2
Clarkson at Harvard
Candace: I think I could flip a coin and pick this game with more accuracy. The Crimson held Clarkson’s high-flying offense in check back in November; can they do it again? I need to gain ground, however, so since Arlan picked Harvard, Clarkson it is. Clarkson 3-2
Arlan: The favorite in this game changes just about every week. Harvard 2-1
Yale at Quinnipiac
Candace: Quinnipiac blew it last week after tying Clarkson. They’ll be at home, and need the win. Quinnipiac 3-1
Arlan: Vital points for both the Bulldogs and the Bobcats, but the latter are at home. Quinnipiac 2-0
Friday-Saturday, Feb. 14-15
Robert Morris at RIT
Candace: Robert Morris swept the Tigers in two close games back in December. However, RMU hasn’t won in February, so I’ll give the Tigers the benefit of the doubt in the Friday game. RIT 3-2, Robert Morris 3-2
Arlan: RMU is only one game better than RIT in 2014. Probably a split, so I’ll let Candace guess at the order. Robert Morris 2-1, 4-3
Ohio State at Bemidji State
Candace: Bemidji got a win and a tie in Ohio back in the first half, but hasn’t won since Jan. 11. Coincidentally, that date was when OSU turned around its season by tying and winning a shootout against Minnesota. Ohio State 3-1, 3-2
Arlan: I predict there will be zero bench-clearing brawls. Ohio State 4-2, 2-1
Minnesota at Wisconsin
Candace: It doesn’t pay to pick against Minnesota, but I’ll give Wisconsin the win in the Fill the Bowl game Saturday. Minnesota 3-2, Wisconsin 2-1
Arlan: The Badgers likely take something, but the last two seasons have shown there is no percentage in predicting a Gophers’ loss. Minnesota 2-1, 1-0
Saturday, Feb. 14
Clarkson at Dartmouth
Candace: Dartmouth isn’t a gimme, but the Golden Knights should come through. Clarkson 4-2
Arlan: No matter the result of their Friday game at Harvard, the Golden Knights will have to refocus quickly. Clarkson 4-1
St. Lawrence at Harvard
Candace: I see no road to an upset in this one. Harvard 2-1
Arlan: The Crimson are 14-2-1 versus the Saints over the last seven seasons. Harvard 3-1
Yale at Princeton
Candace: Princeton looked awfully good last weekend. Princeton 3-1
Arlan: Yale is battling, but this will be a tough road game. Princeton 3-2
Cornell at Rensselaer
Candace: The Big Red will keep pace in the ECAC. Cornell 4-2
Arlan: If the Big Red get help from Clarkson or SLU, they could claim a fifth straight ECAC title despite losing to both Harvard and Clarkson last month. Cornell 3-1
Saturday-Sunday, Feb. 14-15
Providence home-and-home with Boston University
Candace: Boston University looked good against Harvard, but made a big mistake that cost them in OT. I think the Terriers, playing at home, should come through. Boston University 4-2, 4-1
Arlan: For much of the season, Providence had defensive issues. Now the Friars are struggling to score. Boston University 5-1, 3-2
Boston College at Maine
Candace: The Eagles had a Beanpot hangover last weekend against Connecticut, so I think they’ll be extra on guard against that this weekend. Boston College 3-1, 4-1
Arlan: The Eagles should survive both the bus trip and the Black Bears. Boston College 2-1, 6-2
Connecticut at Northeastern
Candace: Northeastern has been one of the hotter teams in the country of late. Northeastern 3-2, 3-1
Arlan: A Beanpot hangover is possible, and Connecticut is .500 over its last 10 games, but I’ll stick with the percentages. Northeastern 3-2, 2-1
Vermont at New Hampshire
Candace: I’ve done dreadfully in picking New Hampshire games, so I’ll agree with Arlan’s picks so I don’t lose any more ground. Vermont 3-1, 3-2
Arlan: After a three-game winning streak at home, UNH has now lost six straight overall. Vermont 2-1, 4-2
Minnesota State at North Dakota
Candace: North Dakota is really missing some of its players who are in Sochi, but should come through. North Dakota 3-1, 2-1
Arlan: This series is not the slam dunk it might seem. North Dakota 1-0, 3-1
