Last week:
Dan: 9-7-2
Chris: 12-4-2
On the season:
Dan: 19-11-7 (.608)
Chris: 22-8-7 (.689)
This Week’s Picks
Friday, October 27 and Saturday, October 28
Rochester Institute of Technology at Army West Point
Chris: The Tigers gave up a lot of goals last weekend, getting outscored by Union and RPI by a combined 14-4. The RIT-RPI game was especially sloppy, and the Tigers will see a different style for sure at Tate Rink. Army West Point Sweeps.
Dan: RIT heads to Tate Rink where it’s had its fair share of success; the Tigers are 8-1-3 on the road against the Black Knights and 16-1-4 in their last 21 matchups. I like Army with the so-called smart money this weekend, but the Tigers almost always compete hard. So I think they earn at least a victory this weekend. Problem is – I don’t know which weekend, so I’m pulling the old Dan Rubin cop out. Army West Point sweeps.
Mercyhurst at Bentley
Chris: Both teams already have two ties this season in their first four games. I’m thinking one of these will be a draw as well, but since we don’t pick ties, I’m going to go with a Mercyhurst road sweep.
Dan: The teams split last season with a pair of 2-1 results, an indication of how this matchup tends to go. No game has been decided by more than one goal over the past four visits from the Lakers to the JAR. It’s also evenly matched with the Lakers holding a 5-3 edge. Given how the early season’s gone for Bentley, I foresee at least one overtime game. Mercyhurst sweeps.
Air Force at Canisius
Chris: This is my pick for series of the week, with the playoff and regular season champs squaring off. Air Force was one of the best road teams in the country last season, and I think they will be again. That’s good for at least a split here. Air Force wins on Friday; Canisius wins on Saturday.
Dan: Canisius is one of those teams that’s had luck beating the Falcons, going 12-17-9 since Air Force joined Atlantic Hockey. It took three of four points last year out in Colorado, and it’s become one of those teams with a formula to winning in the altitude. But Canisius is playing at home this weekend, where Air Force is 8-4-4. For what it’s worth, if the NCAA Tournament started today, Air Force would be the No. 2 overall seed. I love the early-season Pairwise Rankings. Air Force sweeps in a close series.
Niagara at Sacred Heart
Chris: Niagara looks to be markedly improved over last season, and Sacred Heart is also exceeding expectations so far after losing a good chunk of its offense to graduation. I’m thinking the Pioneers, fresh off a split with Notre Dame, gets the road sweep. SHU sweeps.
Dan: This is going to be a good, tough, rough-and-tumble weekend series of hockey, and I’m taking the Pioneers at home in Bridgeport. SHU sweeps.
Robert Morris vs. Ohio State
Chris: Friday’s game is in Columbus with the action shifting to Moon Township on Saturday. I’m going with the home team each night. OSU wins Friday; RMU wins Saturday.
Dan: Ohio State plays Penn State this weekend in a huge weekend of football. That means it’s going to be a bummer when RMU’s win on Saturday flies under the radar. OSU wins on Friday; RMU wins on Saturday.
Friday October 27
Dartmouth at Holy Cross
Chris: Holy Cross is undefeated (2-0-2) through four games, and I like them to take care of business at home against Dartmouth, which will be playing its first game of the season. Holy Cross wins.
Dan: Ivy League teams starting late in the year has never been something I liked because they often play teams with games readily under their belt. Holy Cross is further along at this point as a team, and playing at home is an advantage for the Crusaders. Holy Cross wins.
Sunday Oct 29
Holy Cross at Princeton
Chris: The Crusaders will also be the first game of the season for Princeton, and I think having five games under their belts will help Holy Cross get a road win. Holy Cross wins.
Dan: See above but change it to the road. Holy Cross wins.
