I gained two games on Nicole in our season picks race last weekend, going 23-8-1 (.734) to her 21-10-1 (.671). On the year, I am 234-85-43 (.705), while Nicole is 226-93-43 (.683).
Friday, Jan. 19
Union at No. 4 Colgate
Candace: Union is better this year, but not strong enough to defeat the Raiders. Colgate 3-1
Nicole: The Raiders should be able to handle Union at home. Colgate 4-1
Rensselaer at No. 6 Cornell
Candace: Cornell should win this, even with the Big Red’s inconsistency of late. Cornell 3-2
Nicole: RPI is pushing teams in the ECAC lately, which is awesome. I think Cornell takes this, but it won’t be easy. Cornell 3-2
No. 10 St. Lawrence at Dartmouth
Candace: Dartmouth is struggling every weekend. I like the Saints in this. St. Lawrence 3-1
Nicole: The Saints offense is too much for Dartmouth. St. Lawrence 4-1
No. 2 Clarkson at Harvard
Candace: Harvard is an enigma to me, but Clarkson definitely is not. Clarkson 4-1
Nicole: The Crimson are quietly making headway in the ECAC, and they can’t be taken lightly. Clarkson 4-3
Connecticut at Northeastern
Candace: Northeastern should have momentum after their weekend against Boston College. Northeastern 3-1
Nicole: UConn just got their first Hockey East win, but I think the home Huskies will take this one. Northeastern 3-0
Friday-Saturday, Jan. 19-20
Robert Morris at RIT
Candace: Robert Morris has struggled of late, but I don’t see the Tigers taking advantage. Robert Morris 3-2, 3-1
Nicole: The Colonials need every point they can get and can’t drop anything to last place RIT. Robert Morris 3-1, 4-1
Lindenwood at Mercyhurst
Candace: While Lindenwood can’t be taken lightly, I’m beginning to think the Lakers are the team to beat in the conference. Mercyhurst 3-1, 3-1
Nicole: Mercyhurst has been coming on strong and last week they took over the CHA lead. Lindenwood has proved a difficult sweep for everyone in the conference, but Mercyhurst should take both at home. Mercyhurst 4-2, 3-1
Syracuse at Penn State
Candace: I really hate picking games from either of these schools of late. Penn State 3-2, Syracuse 3-2
Nicole: These two are evenly matched and we should see a pair of close games. I’ll take Syracuse in game one and Penn State in game two. Syracuse 3-2, Penn State 2-1
Merrimack at No. 9 Maine
Candace: I like Maine to continue to push for the NCAA tournament. Maine 3-1, 4-2
Nicole: The Black Bears continue to be strong in the second half. Maine 3-1, 2-0
Vermont at No. 2 Boston College
Candace: I like Boston College to get back on track after a tough weekend with Northeastern last week. Boston College 5-3, 4-2
Nicole: The Catamounts shocked everyone by handling Minnesota last Friday. They’re the team that seems to always pull a Hockey East upset or two every year. BC had some weaknesses exposed against Northeastern. This could be a very interesting series. I’ll take the ranked Eagles. Boston College 4-2, 5-3
No. 8 Providence at New Hampshire
Candace: The Wildcats have been a little inconsistent of late, but so have the Friars. Providence 3-2, 3-2
Nicole: I’ll pick a split here, though I certainly think Providence could sweep. Providence 3-1, New Hampshire 2-1
Minnesota Duluth at St. Cloud State
Candace: I wonder if the outdoor game Saturday might be one that gives the Huskies the edge, but I’m going Bulldogs to sweep. Minnesota Duluth 3-2, 3-2
Nicole: Picking a split here. SCSU nearly took one earlier in the year and they’ve continued to get better. St. Cloud State 3-2, Minnesota Duluth 3-1
No. 5 Minnesota at No. 7 Ohio State
Candace: The Gophers are out for revenge, and they are better on the road than at home. Minnesota 3-2, 3-1
Nicole: Ohio State sort of announced themselves as contenders with their series with Minny early on. The Gophers will want revenge, but stumbled last week against Vermont. This could be a very interesting series. I’ll call a split. Ohio State 4-2, Minnesota 5-2
No. 1 Wisconsin at Bemidji State
Candace: The Badgers continue to roll in the WCHA. Wisconsin 4-1, 4-0
Nicole: The Badgers sweep this season. Wisconsin 4-1, 3-0
Saturday, Jan. 20
Yale at Brown
Candace: Home ice might keep the Bears close, but it won’t be enough. Yale 2-1
Nicole: Yale wins this one. Yale 2-0
Rensselaer at No. 4 Colgate
Candace: I have trouble seeing Colgate losing this one. Colgate 3-1
Nicole: Colgate wins. Colgate 3-1
Union at No. 6 Cornell
Candace: I think this will be close, but I like home ice. Cornell 3-2
Nicole: Cornell wins. Cornell 4-0
No. 2 Clarkson at Dartmouth
Candace: I won’t pick against Clarkson in the ECAC. Clarkson 4-1
Nicole: Clarkson wins this one. Clarkson 5-1
No. 10 St. Lawrence at Harvard
Candace: I like St. Lawrence to get a big win for the conference standings. St. Lawrence 3-2
Nicole: Harvard gets the win at home. Harvard 3-2
Sunday, Jan. 21
Boston University at Connecticut
Candace: I think Connecticut may miss out on the playoffs. Boston University 3-1
Nicole: BU’s offense wins this one. Boston University 4-1
