Last week:
Dan: 7-4-1
Chris: 8-3-1
On the season:
Dan: 17-9-2 (.643)
Chris: 19-7-2 (.714)
This Week’s Picks:
Friday, October 23 and Saturday, October 24
Holy Cross at Canisius
Dan: This early in the season, I think neither team is going to be where they may be at the end of the year. In other news, I can give Barry Melrose a run for stating the obvious. Normally, I would say to ride the hotter goalie at this point, but I still can’t really tell who that is. When in doubt, pick the home team. Canisius sweeps.
Chris:I think these will be close games, and my gut tells me Canisius comes away with three points, but since we don’t pick ties, I’m going with a Canisius sweep.
Army West Point at Mercyhurst
Dan: After getting swept a week ago against Michigan, I think the march to 500 continues with two more W’s for Rick Gotkin this weekend. This is shaping up nicely to possibly have him clinch that number at home in a couple of weeks against Air Force. Mercyhurst sweeps.
Chris: This series has the added fun factor of Mercyhurst forward Jack Riley going up against his dad’s team. He played well in series last year and I think will have bragging rights again. Mercyhurst sweeps.
Robert Morris at Niagara
Dan: It doesn’t seem to matter when these old CHA rivals meet; it’s always a toss-up. I don’t have a good feeling that either team is going to sweep, but since I’m not sure which night it will happen, I’m going to sit back and take Robert Morris, who won and tied last week, over Niagara, who was off after playing Clarkson and St. Lawrence. Robert Morris sweeps.
Chris: This will be a good yardstick of how much (or little) has changed has for these teams, which finished first (RMU) and last (Niagara) in the standings last season. While Niagara should be better, I don’t think enough to change the balance of power. Robert Morris sweeps.
Rochester Institute of Technology vs. Colgate
Dan: RIT nearly defeated #10 Bowling Green last week at Blue Cross Arena. This week, they’ll play a home-and-home with a Colgate squad that played very inconsistently against Mercyhurst, then lost to Northeastern. I don’t think Colgate will be swept, so I’m going to pick the home team in each game. Colgate wins on Friday. RIT wins on Saturday.
Chris: Both teams have had their ups and downs already this season. I’m going with the safe pick of the home team each night. Colgate wins Friday; RIT wins Saturday.
American International at Penn State
Dan: AIC played better last week than scores would indicate; they led Fairbanks after the first period, 2-0, and they played Anchorage to a 3-2 game in the second and third period. Unfortunately, though, one period of bad hockey can deep six two periods of good hockey. I think they give Penn State a good run, but I think it’s the Nittany Lions with a sweep in Hockey Valley. Penn State sweeps.
Chris: Penn State is tough to beat at home, and can outgun Austin Orzulak and the Yellow Jackets. Penn State sweeps.
Air Force at Nebraska-Omaha
Dan: After watching Air Force dominate Denver a couple of weeks ago, can you pick Omaha to sweep this series with ease? I won’t. But you don’t get to be the #2 team in the nation by accident, no matter how early it is in the year. Omaha sweeps.
Chris: The Falcons would like nothing better than to ruin the party in Omaha, which opens its new Baxter Arena this weekend. But I think the second ranked Mavericks will prevail in their new barn. UNO sweeps.
Tuesday, October 27
Sacred Heart at American International
Dan: Sacred Heart showed some grit and tenacity last week, rebounding from a 5-2 loss to UMass to pummel Arizona State back to the Valley of the Sun. I’m taking them in a midweek conference game against the Yellow Jackets. Sacred Heart wins.
Chris: I think Sacred Heart is on the upswing, and will be rested coming off a bye weekend while AIC is in Happy Valley. I’m going with a Pioneers win.
