I continued to outpace Nicole last week in our picks contest. I had a great Saturday, and for the week went 23-7-1, while Nicole went 19-11-1. I now have a big 12-game lead in the season race, as I am 96-35-15 while Nicole is 84-47-15.
With the Four Nations Cup going on, the action is a little lighter this weekend. Let’s see how we do.
Friday, Nov. 4
Union at Brown
Candace: Brown didn’t look too good last weekend, but this is a tough game to call. Union 2-1
Nicole: I like the spirit Union has shown so far and they’ve got more games under their belt. They win. Union 3-1
No. 7 St. Lawrence at No. 10 Princeton
Candace: I think St. Lawrence’s offense takes this. St. Lawrence 3-2
Nicole: I think these two are pretty evenly matched and it’s a rivalry, so it’s basically a toss up. In that case, I’ll go home team. Princeton 4-3
No. 8 Clarkson at No. 5 Quinnipiac
Candace: It’s funny that I feel Clarkson hasn’t been doing as great, but aside from their loss to St. Lawrence, they’ve played well. However, I’d imagine that Quinnipiac has been extra amped for this game since losing in the NCAA tournament last year. Quinnipiac 2-1
Nicole: Same thought process as above — going with the Bobcats at home. Quinnipiac 3-2
Rensselaer at Yale
Candace: I’m not really sure what to make of either team. I’ll go with Lovisa Selander. Rensselaer 2-1
Nicole: RPI has been just that little bit better and Yale is just starting out, so I give the edge to the Engineers. Rensselaer 2-0
Friday-Saturday, Nov. 4-5
Penn State at Mercyhurst
Candace: I don’t feel like I have enough of a handle on Penn State yet, so … Mercyhurst 3-2, 2-1
Nicole: My gut says split, but I’m giving Mercyhurst the benefit of the doubt and home ice advantage. Mercyhurst sweep 3-2, 4-2
Syracuse at Robert Morris
Candace: The Colonials looked good last weekend against Mercyhurst. Can they keep it up? Syracuse has a poorer record, but has been tested a lot more. I’ll pick a split. Robert Morris 2-1, Syracuse 2-1
Nicole: Robert Morris has been the surprise of the CHA so far. They sweep. Robert Morris 2-1, 3-2
Boston University vs. No. 4 Boston College (home-and-home)
Candace: The Terriers have the potential to plague the Eagles, but I think BC has shown a lot of improvement in the last few weeks. Boston College 3-1, 2-1
Nicole: BC has rebounded and BU is struggling in conference. This is one where a puck bounce either way determines it, but I’m giving the sweep to BC. I don’t imagine Coach Crowley or her players won’t be incredibly amped for this. Boston College 3-1, 4-2
Minnesota State at No. 2 Minnesota
Candace: The Mavericks unfortunately still won’t get a conference win. Minnesota 4-0, 4-1
Nicole: Gophers sweep. Minnesota 5-2, 4-0
Lindenwood at Ohio State
Candace: The Buckeyes need a break from recent WCHA losses, and will get it. Ohio State 3-1, 3-1
Nicole: OSU has lost five straight after their promising start. They bounce back here at home. Ohio State 3-1, 3-0
No. 6 Colgate vs. RIT (home-and-home)
Candace: RIT has not looked good at all. Colgate is ranked where it is for a reason. Colgate 3-1, 3-1
Nicole: Colgate sweeps. Colgate 4-1, 3-0
Saturday, Nov. 5
Rensselaer at Brown
Candace: The Engineers are more of a sure thing for me than Union. Rensselaer 3-1
Nicole: RPI takes it. Rensselaer 2-0
No. 8 Clarkson at No. 10 Princeton
Candace: I have trouble picking against Princeton twice in a weekend, but I have to think this is Clarkson’s game. Clarkson 3-2
Nicole: Two tough games for Princeton early on, but they’re home and don’t have to deal with travel fatigue. I have a hard time picking against Clarkson two nights in a row, but Princeton takes it. Princeton 3-2
No. 7 St. Lawrence at No. 5 Quinnipiac
Candace: Quinnipiac wins with smothering defense, but against an offensive team like St. Lawrence, it might not be enough. St. Lawrence 3-1
Nicole: I’m going to pick St. Lawrence to upset here. I like the loose mentality coming out of Canton and I don’t think they’ll lose two straight this weekend. St. Lawrence 3-1
Union at Yale
Candace: Yale impressed me against Princeton last week. Yale 3-1
Nicole: Yale is home and Union is traveling all weekend. I’ll give the Elis the benefit of the doubt here. Yale 3-2
Connecticut at Merrimack
Candace: The Warriors have been so up and down, it’s hard to know which team you’ll get. Merrimack 2-1
Nicole: Similar overall numbers, but Merrimack is doing better in conference. I’ll take them to win. Merrimack 2-0
Maine at Northeastern
Candace: The Huskies rebound from the bad loss to Merrimack. Northeastern 3-1
Nicole: Northeastern has shown the early season foibles to be just a blip on the radar. They win this. Northeastern 4-2
New Hampshire at Providence
Candace: I’m going on a hunch, and the New Hampshire’s win over Vermont last week. New Hampshire 3-2
Nicole: Friars need a conference win and this is gettable for them. Providence 2-1
Saturday-Sunday, Nov. 5-6
Bemidji State at No. 1 Wisconsin
Candace: The Beavers will be a tough out, especially since a few Wisconsin players are at the Four Nations this weekend, but I have to favor Wisconsin’s depth. Wisconsin 3-2, 3-2
Nicole: The Badgers have been on the road for a month and LaBahn is very, very kind to them. Home sweet home will mean a Badgers sweep. Wisconsin 3-1, 3-2
Sunday, Nov. 6
Providence at Northeastern
Candace: Providence beats who you expect them to and loses to who you expect. That’s all you really need to know. Northeastern 4-1
Nicole: Providence has done well out of conference, but not so great in conference and as mentioned above, Northeastern’s been on a tear. Northeastern 3-1
Connecticut at New Hampshire
Candace: I hate trying to pick these middle-of-the-pack Hockey East games. I’ll go with home ice. New Hampshire 2-1
Nicole: New Hampshire wins at home. New Hampshire 2-0
Tuesday, Nov. 8
Connecticut at Brown
Candace: One team doesn’t have enough of a track record, while the other’s is uneven. Decisions, decisions. Connecticut 2-1
Nicole: I’ll go with home ice. Brown 2-1
