Last week:
Dan: 7-3-1
Chris: 9-1-1
On the season:
Dan: 59-31-8 (.643)
Chris: 69-21-8 (.745)
This Week’s Picks:
Friday, December 4 and Saturday December 5
Canisius at Air Force
Dan: These are teams heading in opposite directions. Canisius has won only once since Halloween, and Air Force is 3-1-1 in their last five games. Couple that with a trip way out west, and I’m calling for the Falcons. Air Force sweeps.
Chris:Canisius is one of the few teams that’s had success in Colorado Springs (6-6-4 all-time there against the Falcons). They’re 5-5 against each other in the last ten games overall, so I’m thinking a split, with Air Force winning on Friday and Canisius on Saturday.
Mercyhurst at Holy Cross
Dan: This is a big series between teams starting to filter up to the top of the league standings. Tied for second place, a sweep for either team gives them a chance to catch Robert Morris. I don’t doubt a split here, but I think Mercyhurst has too proven of a track record to pick against them. Mercyhurst sweeps.
Chris:Despite the distance between the schools, this has become a nice rivalry based on frequent postseason meetings. Both teams are playing well right now, but I think the Lakers have a bit more firepower, so I’m going with a difficult Mercyhurst road sweep.
Bentley at Niagara
Dan: Bentley’s played much better in their last two games, including a 1-0 shutout against AIC on Tuesday. Gabe Antoni played great against the Yellow Jackets, which means Bentley has an advantage in net as long as Jayson Argue remains out of action. Bentley sweeps.
Chris:I’d pick a Bentley sweep in a heartbeat if the games were at the JAR, but I think the Falcons will have a tougher time in Lewiston. That said, Bentley earned a tough sweep at RIT two weeks ago, so why not again 90 more miles down the road? Bentley sweeps.
Robert Morris at Rochester Institute of Technology
Dan: I would love to see these teams meet again later in the season, perhaps even in the playoffs. But right now, I think RMU is a team that’s starting to hit some cruise control in a good way. They’ve hit cruising altitude and are playing some really great hockey in doing it. With momentum on their side, I don’t see them losing here. RMU sweeps.
Chris:This is the most intriguing matchup of the week. The Tigers have outplayed and outshot some good teams and still lost. But I don’t think RIT will be putting up dominant possession/shot numbers against the first-place Colonials. These are the only meetings this season between the schools, picked to finish first (RMU) and second (RIT) in the preseason coaches poll. RIT used a big win in the second game of this series in Rochester last season to catapult its way to the Elite Eight in the NCAA tournament. The Tigers are hoping for the same kind of boost again, but I don’t think it will happen here. RMU sweeps.
Army West Point vs. Sacred Heart
Dan: Sacred Heart hasn’t won in nearly a month, going 0-5-1 in their last six games. I don’t think their play is indicative of that record, but they’re running into an Army team that’s starting to turn the corner as I predicted a couple of weeks back. I’m picking a split here with the home team winning each game. Sacred Heart wins on Friday. Army wins on Saturday.
Chris: The Pioneers host on Friday with the action shifting to Tate Rink on Saturday. I’m going with the predictable pick of the home team in each game. I’ve correctly picked an Army tie the last three weeks, but think that streak will stop here. Sacred Heart wins on Friday; Army on Saturday.
