Both Nicole and I struggled a little last week, as I went 22-11-3 (.652) and Nicole went 20-13-3 (.597). I usually try to stay above .700, which is where I am on the season. I did pad my lead in our picks race now though, as I am 248-89-40 (.710) while Nicole is 218-119-40 (.631).
Friday, Jan. 20
No. 10 Cornell at No. 3 Clarkson
Candace: The Big red will keep it close, but it won’t be enough. Clarkson 4-2
Nicole: The Big Red haven’t lost in their last five chances, but Clarkson hasn’t lost since playing Wisconsin in October. Additionally, Clarkson is averaging nearly four goals scored a game. That’s going to be difficult to overcome. Clarkson 4-2
Colgate at No. 5 St. Lawrence
Candace: Colgate’s free-fall will continue this weekend. St. Lawrence 3-1
Nicole: The back-loaded strength of schedule is going to bite Colgate some more, I think. St. Lawrence 3-1
Harvard at Brown
Candace: Harvard finally won another game on Tuesday. I think the Crimson will get another here. Harvard 2-1
Nicole: Despite their similar records, Brown’s only wins are over Union, so I have to pick the Crimson’s potential here. Harvard 3-1
Dartmouth at Yale
Candace: I keep expecting Yale to make a better push to solidify a playoff position. A win here would do that. Yale 2-1
Nicole: Picking the home team because I have no other ideas. Yale 3-1
No. 8 Quinnipiac at Merrimack
Candace: Merrimack doesn’t have enough weapons to defeat the Bobcats. Quinnipiac 3-1
Nicole: Bobcats rebound with a win. Quinnipiac 4-1
Friday-Saturday, Jan. 20-21
Syracuse at Lindenwood
Candace: The Lions have been playing well of late, but I like the Orange to make a push and perhaps surpass Robert Morris soon. Syracuse 3-2, 3-1
Nicole: The Orange should have both the offensive and defensive strength to handle the Lions and leave St. Charles with a sweep. Syracuse 3-1, 4-2
Robert Morris at Mercyhurst
Candace: Will Robert Morris be able to hold off Syracuse in the CHA race? Possibly, but that series next weekend could decide if a split happens. Mercyhurst 2-1, Robert Morris 3-2
Nicole: I won’t be at all surprised if this is a split, but I have to pick the more consistent conference leaders in the Colonials. They sweep. Robert Morris 3-0, 2-1
Rensselaer vs. Union (home-and-home)
Candace: Rensselaer looked good last weekend, so I’ll stick with the Engineers. Rensselaer 3-1, 3-1
Nicole: This is a toss up for me, but I’ll pick RPI and their better record. Rensselaer 2-1, 3-1
Northeastern at Connecticut
Candace: I’ve expected more out of Northeastern this season, but losing Kendall Coyne was probably too much. Still, I like a sweep here for the visiting team. Northeastern 2-1, 3-1
Nicole: I expect Northeastern to bounce back this weekend with a sweep of the Huskies. Northeastern 3-1, 3-0
Maine at New Hampshire
Candace: The Black Bears haven’t won on the road all year. That has to happen at some point. Why not this weekend? New Hampshire 2-1, Maine 2-1
Nicole: This should be a win for New Hampshire at home. New Hampshire 4-2, 2-1
No. 6 Boston College at Vermont
Candace: Hockey East is currently Boston College and everyone else. Vermont will make it close, but I like the Eagles to sweep. Boston College 2-1, 3-1
Nicole: I’m probably a bit on the bandwagon, especially after talking to Vermont coach Jim Plumer this week, but I think the Catamounts might be able to steal a game this weekend. I’ll call a split, with BC winning the first game and Vermont winning the second game. Boston College 3-1, Vermont 4-3
No. 2 Minnesota-Duluth at Bemidji State
Candace: If the Bulldogs can avoid a letdown after the huge sweep against Minnesota last weekend, I like them to sweep the Beavers. Minnesota-Duluth 3-2, 3-0
Nicole: The Bulldogs are riding a huge confidence boost from last weekend. I don’t think Bemidji can overcome that. Minnesota-Duluth 4-2, 3-0
Minnesota State at St. Cloud State
Candace: Janine Alder will make the difference in this series, and home ice will help. St. Cloud 2-0, 2-1
Nicole: I think this is another place the Mavericks can add to their win total. Calling a split with SCSU winning on Friday and Minnesota State winning on Saturday. St. Cloud State 3-0, Minnesota State 3-2
Ohio State at No. 4 Minnesota
Candace: I like the Gophers to get back on track at home. Minnesota 3-1, 4-2
Nicole: The Buckeyes have given the Gophers trouble over the years and with Dani Cameranesi out and Kassidy Sauve in goal for OSU, I think a split is possible. Buckeyes win on Friday, Gophers win on Saturday. Ohio State 3-2, Minnesota 5-2
Saturday, Jan. 21
Dartmouth at Brown
Candace: A tough game to pick, but I like the Big Green to steal one. Dartmouth 2-1
Nicole: Dartmouth wins. Dartmouth 3-1
Colgate at No. 3 Clarkson
Candace: Colgate’s difficulties will continue in this game. Clarkson 4-2
Nicole: The Golden Knights have too much offensive power Colgate. Clarkson 5-2.
No. 10 Cornell at No. 5 St. Lawrence
Candace: For now, I think St. Lawrence is a clear second in the ECAC, and will emerge with a win. St. Lawrence 2-1
Nicole: Even with Cornell’s surge, I think the Saints are just that little bit better. St. Lawrence 3-1
Harvard at Yale
Candace: Usually, this would be a slam dunk for Harvard, but not this year. Yale 2-1
Nicole: I’ll take Yale at home. Yale 3-1
Saturday-Sunday, Jan. 21-22
RIT at Penn State
Candace: Can Penn State win its first game since November? I like them to get one. Penn State 2-1, RIT 2-1
Nicole: Penn State hasn’t won in their past 11 games and they only have a single win at home. With that in mind, I have to pick a split. Penn State wins the first game, RIT gets the second. Penn State 3-1, RIT 2-0
Boston University vs. Providence (home-and-home)
Candace: Perhaps I expect too much of the Terriers, but they did beat Minnesota, so I’ll go with them to sweep. Boston University 4-1, 3-2
Nicole: These two seem fairly evenly matched. Each team wins at home. Boston University 4-2, Providence 2-1
North Dakota at No. 1 Wisconsin
Candace: The Badgers are at home and frankly, are better than just about everyone else. Wisconsin 3-1, 4-1
Nicole: I actually think Wisconsin wins this on the blue line. They are just too strong on defense and with Desbiens in the net. Wisconsin 1-0, 5-1
