Last week:
Dan: 13-3
Chris: 12-4
On the season:
Dan: 28-14-1 (.663)
Chris: 30-12-1 (.709)
This Week’s Picks:
Thursday, October 30 and Friday, October 31
Bentley at Penn State
Dan: Call me a wikkid homah, but I’m taking the Falcons for at least one this weekend. There’s something about this team on the road that has be feeling like they’re going to be extremely mentally tough. I don’t like picking splits (even though that’s what I did last week), so I’m going with Bentley to win both. Bentley sweeps
Chris: Could this be a repeat of last weekend, when Penn State soundly defeated Holy Cross twice? Or a repeat of last weekend when Bentley went into RPI and took two games in convincing fashion? I’m splitting things down the middle. Bentley wins Thursday; Penn State Friday.
Friday, October 31 and Saturday, November 1
Sacred Heart at Holy Cross
Dan: Both teams were swept last weekend, but I have a feeling Sacred Heart’s near-upsets of Colgate has them slightly ahead of the Crusaders at this point. Call it this weekend for the Pioneers. Sacred Heart sweeps.
Chris: The Crusaders will host on Friday; the Pioneers on Saturday. Both teams were swept last weekend, but SHU put up more of a fight, losing a pair of close games to Colgate. I’ve been burned going with the home teams in these home-and-home series, but I’m a glutton for punishment. Holy Cross wins Friday; Sacred Heart Saturday.
American International at Niagara
Dan: Niagara was swept last weekend, but the losses came at Notre Dame. AIC, meanwhile, lost two to Canisius. I think the Yellow Jackets are going to surprise the Purple Eagles by having more depth, but ultimately I’m picking Niagara’s slightly better goaltending in this one. Don’t count out AIC to steal one on the road, though. Niagara sweeps.
Chris: This is another case of both teams getting swept last weekend. Niagara has historically done well against AIC, but this is not a typical year so far for the Purple Eagles. I think AIC wins at least one. Niagara wins Friday; AIC wins Saturday.
Rochester Institute of Technology at Robert Morris
Dan: Robert Morris is one point out of becoming the first Atlantic Hockey team in the USCHO Top 20 since Niagara two years ago. I’m not picking against them until someone beats them. Robert Morris sweeps.
Chris: I’ll be broadcasting this series and am looking forward to it. RIT has won the last two meetings on the Island, but RMU is looking to stay unbeaten and is tough at home. If it comes down to goaltending, which it might, RMU has a pair of really hot netminders right now. Robert Morris sweeps.
Ohio State at Canisius
Dan: The lights are on in the new building in Buffalo. Despite my hatred of picking sweeps, I find it hard to pick against a B1G team against Atlantic Hockey, even with my allegiances to the eastern league. That said, goaltending can win one, if not both, for the Griffs. Canisius wins Friday; Ohio State on Saturday.
Chris: The Golden Griffins get to open their new home at HarborCenter against an OSU team that has scored three goals in its last three games. Still, I think each team will win a game. Canisius wins Friday; Ohio State on Saturday.
Mercyhurst at Colgate
Dan: Starr Rink served as one of the filming locations for the movie Slap Shot. That has nothing to do with the outcome of this series, but I felt it warranted mentioning. Colgate wraps up four straight against the AHA at home, and although Mercyhurst is one of those battle tested teams, the Raiders have one of those teams built to handle business. Colgate sweeps
Chris: Boy I really want to pick an upset here as the Lakers take on the No. 4 Raiders. But Colgate is deeper and playing at home. Raiders will sweep.
Friday, October 31
Brown at Army
Dan: Brown might have some of the most dynamic players in ECAC in Matt Lorito and Mark Naclerio. They also have one of their best recruiting classes, headlined by Pittsburgh Penguins draft choice Sam Lafferty. I like Army a lot, but I think Brown has too much energy and too much firepower in this one. Brown wins.
Chris: This is Brown’s first official game of the season (the Bears won an exhibition with Dartmouth last Sunday) while Army already has six contests under its belt. I like the Black Knights to play a few tricks on the Bears, and treat themselves to a victory. Army wins.
Saturday, November 1
Air Force at North Dakota
Dan: If you haven’t experienced a game at the Ralph, I suggest you do it; nobody has a home ice advantage quite like North Dakota. This is also a game they have to take care of business in if they expect to be playing in Boston come springtime. North Dakota wins
Chris: Just one game for the Falcons this weekend, but it’s a big one – at No. 3 North Dakota in the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame game. UND leads the all-time series 4-0 and I think that trend will continue. North Dakota wins.
