Arlan picked up two more games on me last week, as I went 17-7-1 to move to 112-35-18, while Arlan went 19-5-1 to move to 108-39-17. I don’t like it when my lead gets so low, so let’s see if I can pick up a few more this weekend.
Friday, Nov. 21
St. Lawrence at Princeton
Candace: Will the Saints follow last weekend’s success with a clunker? Hmm. St. Lawrence 3-2
Arlan: The Tigers have the better record and are at home, but the home team lost both meetings last year, and Rutter ranks the two quite closely. Sigh. Princeton 3-2
Clarkson at Quinnipiac
Candace: This looks to be the Bobcats’ first loss of the year. Clarkson 3-1
Arlan: This figures to be the Bobcats’ toughest game to date, as only one previous opponent (Penn State) has more than four wins. I suspect a 1-1 tie. Clarkson 2-1
Harvard at Boston University
Candace: I’m going with Poulin in this game, and think Harvard might not be quite as good as thought. Boston University 3-2
Arlan: Both of these teams figure to be much better by the Beanpot. Harvard 5-3
Friday-Saturday, Nov. 21-22
RIT at Mercyhurst
Candace: I’ve gotten burned twice so far picking against the Lakers. No more. Mercyhurst 5-2, 4-3
Arlan: Two top-five defenses clash. Mercyhurst 2-1, 1-0
Lindenwood at Penn State
Candace: Overtime in one, or both, games wouldn’t surprise me, but I like the Nittany Lions to get their second sweep this season. Penn State 2-1, 2-1
Arlan: I think Lindenwood gets at least a point, but I don’t see it as a favorite in either game. Penn State 1-0, 2-0
Syracuse at Robert Morris
Candace: The Colonials have been mostly dreadful this season. I’m not sure if home ice is enough. I have no idea of the order of wins for a split, so I’m picking the Orange to sweep. Syracuse 3-2, 4-2
Arlan: Syracuse has twice had a swing of six goals or more from the first game of a series to the second; RMU has twice had a four-goal swing. Syracuse 4-3, Robert Morris 3-2
Connecticut vs. Boston College (home-and-home)
Candace: I actually do think the Eagles hit double figures in at least one. Boston College 11-1, 7-2
Arlan: I don’t think the Eagles will hit double figures this week. Boston College 9-0, 8-2
Wisconsin at St. Cloud State
Candace: The Badgers looked like they woke up again last week. Wisconsin 4-1, 5-1
Arlan: Last weekend, the Huskies started a stretch that sees them play nine of 11 games against ranked opponents, and the other two are against a North Dakota squad that just dropped out of the rankings. Wisconsin 6-1, 4-0
Ohio State at North Dakota
Candace: Like Arlan, I wish a speedy recovery to Lisa Marvin. Except for a tie/shootout win over Wisconsin, North Dakota hasn’t won since mid-October. Nevertheless, I’m going there. North Dakota 3-1, 3-2
Arlan: My thoughts and best wishes go out to North Dakota sophomore Lisa Marvin, injured this week in an automobile accident. North Dakota 2-1, 4-3
Cornell at Minnesota-Duluth
Candace: I think Cornell might actually pick up a win here, but until I see more consistency, I am leery of picking them. Minnesota-Duluth 4-2, 3-2
Arlan: Does Cornell want payback for 2010 final? Nah, those players are all gone. Will UMD be sky high for this series? Tough Bemidji State up next. Cornell has won three straight, but the win over Colgate wasn’t very encouraging. UMD has won seven straight, but all over opponents with losing records. Cornell has a losing record, so I’ll take that as a sign. Minnesota-Duluth 3-1, 2-1
Saturday, Nov. 22
Clarkson at Princeton
Candace: The Tigers are closing the first half with a brutal stretch. Clarkson 4-1
Arlan: The Golden Knights have been very solid defensively over the last month. Clarkson 2-1
St. Lawrence at Quinnipiac
Candace: Which Saints squad shows up? If this was in Canton, I might pick differently. Quinnipiac 3-2
Arlan: Might just as well flip a coin when these two play. Quinnipiac 2-0
Saturday-Sunday, Nov. 22-23
Providence at Maine
Candace: The Black Bears didn’t look so hot last time out, and Providence finally got a win. However, I’m going with home ice until I see more from the Friars. Maine 2-1, 3-2
Arlan: The Black Bears were only off for one week, but it feels longer. Maine 3-1, 2-1
Vermont at Northeastern
Candace: Flip a Coyne. If Kendall wakes up, this pick may haunt me. Vermont 3-2, 3-1
Arlan: Seems like a battle for third place, although Vermont currently trails Providence and both are behind Maine, so who knows. Northeastern 4-3, Vermont 3-1
New Hampshire at Boston University
Candace: The Terriers have Poulin back, which is bad news for New Hampshire. Boston University 5-2
Arlan: The Terriers have won the last six meetings. Boston University 5-3
Monday, Nov. 24
Minnesota at St. Cloud State
Candace: This could be a blowout. Look for the Gophers to come out flying. Minnesota 4-1
Arlan: The Gophers and Huskies meet in Edina in the Hockey Hall of Fame Game, the first of five scheduled meetings of the two squads. Minnesota 3-1
Tuesday Nov. 25
Quinnipiac at Princeton
Candace: Another potential tough out for the Bobcats, but I think they pull it out. Quinnipiac 3-2
Arlan: The Tigers make it (potentially) three straight opponents with winning records for the Bobcats. Quinnipiac 3-1
Boston College at Yale
Candace: I think the Bulldogs are better than they’ve shown, but the Eagles might be even better still. Boston College 6-2
Arlan: Yale might be one of the better skating teams BC has faced, but the Bulldogs haven’t managed to defeat their stronger opponents. Boston College 7-3
