Arlan has almost completed quite a comeback from trailing me by up to six games. Now I only have a one-game lead with a month left in the season. Hopefully I can hold him off. Last week, I went 18-7-2 while Arlan went 21-4-2. On the season, I am () while Arlan is ().
Friday, Jan. 30
Yale at Clarkson
Candace: Yale has never quite gotten untracked. Clarkson 3-1
Arlan: Yale kept the first game close, but it’s doubtful the Bulldogs will improve on that. Clarkson 3-1
Rensselaer at Colgate
Candace: I may end up trailing Arlan by the end of this weekend. Oh well, c’est la vie. Rensselaer 3-2
Arlan: Both have improved as the season has gone along, but because the Raiders rely more on rookies, I’ll look to them to have the higher ceiling this year. Colgate 2-1
Dartmouth at Princeton
Candace: This will be a close one, but I’m going with the Big Green. Dartmouth 3-1
Arlan: Dartmouth does better when I’m off its bandwagon. Princeton 3-2
Harvard at Quinnipiac
Candace: Harvard won the first one back in December, and I think they will again. Harvard 2-1
Arlan: The Bobcats are undefeated at home, outscoring opponents 32-5, so why don’t I trust them here? Harvard 2-1
Boston College at Providence
Candace: Will the Eagles finally start scoring like they did in the first half? Boston College 5-1
Arlan: Sunday, the Friars were back to their old downfall of losing despite a large shot advantage. That likely won’t be the case versus BC. Boston College 6-0
Northeastern at Vermont
Candace: Which Vermont team shows up: the one that beat Boston University, or the one that got crushed by Boston University? Northeastern 3-2
Arlan: One of those games where maybe even the teams don’t know what to expect. Northeastern 4-3
Friday-Saturday, Jan. 30-31
RIT at Lindenwood
Candace: The Tigers have shown a few signs of life of late, so I’ll go with them. RIT 2-1, 2-1
Arlan: Lindenwood has scored more than two tallies against a goalie only twice, and not since Nov. 8. The Tigers aren’t exactly prolific either. RIT 1-0, 2-1
Syracuse at Penn State
Candace: Me picking Penn State sweeps hasn’t gone well, but Syracuse let me down last week too, so who knows? Penn State 2-1, 3-1
Arlan: The Nittany Lions have done very well at home in CHA play. Penn State 3-2, 2-1
Mercyhurst at Robert Morris
Candace: Although Robert Morris finally got a sweep, and has beaten Mercyhurst more than any other CHA team, I have to go with the Lakers. Mercyhurst 2-1, 3-1
Arlan: Robert Morris has the better record in 2015, but I keep expecting the Lakers to rebound. Mercyhurst 2-1, 4-2
North Dakota at Minesota-Duluth
Candace: If I had picked North Dakota to sweep in either of the last two weeks, Arlan wouldn’t be so close. Maybe I’ll get one game right if I do. Then again, Duluth is at home. Minnesota-Duluth 3-2, North Dakota 2-1
Arlan: Look for a gritty series. Minnesota-Duluth 2-1, North Dakota 2-1
Ohio State at Minnesota
Candace: I don’t think I will bet against Minnesota in the rest of the season. Minnesota 4-1, 4-2
Arlan: The Buckeyes have stayed within two goals in each of the last three meetings. Minnesota 3-1, 4-2
Saturday Jan. 31
Harvard at Princeton
Candace: I don’t think this will be that close. Harvard 4-1
Arlan: The Crimson seem to have solved their Princeton problem the last couple of years. Harvard 3-2
Dartmouth at Quinnipiac
Candace: While Dartmouth has surprised a few teams, I don’t see the Bobcats losing four in a row. Quinnipiac 3-1
Arlan: The Bobcats can’t afford a hangover coming off of a big game versus Harvard. Quinnipiac 3-1
Yale at St. Lawrence
Candace: St. Lawrence may be the team most flying under the radar. St. Lawrence 4-1
Arlan: The Saints stay on a roll. St. Lawrence 4-2
Boston University at Connecticut
Candace: While the Terriers might be more worried about Harvard, I think losing to Vermont will still be in their minds and they’ll come out strong. Boston University 4-2
Arlan: The Terriers tune up for the Beanpot. Boston University 5-3
Saturday-Sunday, Jan. 31-Feb. 1
Maine at New Hampshire
Candace: Oh Maine, how you vex me. I was tempted to pick a Maine sweep, but New Hampshire has played well of late. New Hampshire 3-1, Maine 2-1
Arlan: Some of the Black Bears league numbers don’t make a lot of sense, like three more wins than losses despite being outscored, and better on the road than at home. New Hampshire 2-0, Maine 3-1
Sunday, Feb. 1
Providence at Vermont
Candace: If Providence hadn’t lost to Connecticut last week, I might pick the Friars. Vermont 3-2
Arlan: After the series at BU, how can anyone predict what the Catamounts might do? Vermont 4-2
Monday, Feb. 2
St. Cloud at Minnesota State
Candace: Minnesota State might finally get a win, but I’ll go with the visitors. St. Cloud 2-1
Arlan: I don’t like this pick, because the Mavericks have looked better when I’ve watched both teams play, but this is a vote for Julie Friend. St. Cloud State 2-1
Tuesday, Feb. 3
Clarkson at St. Lawrence
Candace: St. Lawrence is playing better, though Clarkson has had the better of this rivalry of late. Home ice wins. St. Lawrence 3-1
Arlan: The Saints have been considerably better at home than on the road. St. Lawrence 2-1
Boston University at Harvard
Candace: Which Boston University team shows up? Harvard 2-1
Arlan: Should see more offense than their previous 1-1 tie. Harvard 4-2
Boston College at Northeastern
Candace: BC has beat up on the Huskies pretty badly this year, but this might be closer. Boston College 5-2
Arlan: This is the closest to a negative BC stat I can find this season — the Eagles are winless in neutral-site games. Boston College 7-2
