Nicole and I started off our season picks race last weekend, and I grabbed a two-game lead out of the gate, going 17-3-3 (.804), while Nicole was 15-5-3 (.717).
We have some interesting battles in the top 10 this weekend to pick.
Friday, Oct. 19
Dartmouth at Harvard
Candace: I’m going with home ice. Harvard 3-1
Nicole: Harvard wins this. Harvard 3-1
No. 10 Maine at No. 9 Northeastern
Candace: I picked against Northeastern last week and it hurt me. Maine is undefeated, but hasn’t been tested as much. Northeastern 3-2
Nicole: I think both these teams are going to be interesting to watch this year, but I’ll take Northeastern’s offense at home. Northeastern 4-2
Merrimack at No. 6 Boston College
Candace: I think the Eagles build momentum from last weekend. Boston College 4-1
Nicole: This should be a win for BC. Boston College 4-1.
Connecticut at Boston University
Candace: I like the Terriers on home ice. Boston University 3-2
Nicole: This one is a toss-up for me. I’ll take the Huskies. Connecticut 3-1
Vermont at New Hampshire
Candace: I think the Wildcats are a tough out on home ice. New Hampshire 3-2
Nicole: This is a tough one because I think both teams have the chance to do big things. I’ll take Vermont in a close one. Vermont 3-2
Friday-Saturday, Oct. 19-20
Robert Morris at Mercyhurst
Candace: The Colonials have struggled out of the gate. Mercyhurst didn’t look good in sweeping Syracuse, but they got two wins. I like home ice. Mercyhurst 3-2, 3-2
Nicole: I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Lakers sweep at home, but I’ll hedge my bets and call a split. Mercyhurst 3-2, Robert Morris 2-1
Syracuse at Lindenwood
Candace: I’ll take the Orange to rebound from last weekend. Syracuse 2-1, 2-1
Nicole: I’ll take Lindenwood to sweep at home. Lindenwood 2-0, 3-2
Bemidji State at No. 5 Minnesota Duluth
Candace: Minnesota Duluth will get two tough wins at home. Minnesota Duluth 3-2, 3-2
Nicole: UMD sweeps, but it’s closer than they’d like. Minnesota Duluth 3-2, 2-1
St. Cloud State at Minnesota State
Candace: I think the Mavericks will earn a split, but picking the right date is a bear. Minnesota State 3-2, St. Cloud State 3-2
Nicole: SCSU sweeps. St. Cloud State 4-2, 3-1
No. 4 Ohio State at No. 3 Minnesota
Candace: The marquee matchup of the weekend. Ohio State went 3-0-1 last year against the Gophers, and I think Minnesota at home gets two wins. Minnesota 3-2, 4-2
Nicole: By far the closest matchup of the weekend. Honestly, either team could sweep, so I’m hedging with a split. Ohio State 3-2, Minnesota 4-3
Providence at Penn State
Candace: Hard to get a read on both teams so early. I’m going with the Friars. Providence 3-1, 3-2
Nicole: I’m not able to pin down Penn State right now, which makes this difficult. I’ll take a split. Providence 2-0, Penn State 3-1
No. 1 Clarkson at St. Lawrence (home-and-home)
Candace: This isn’t a rivalry anymore. Clarkson has owned it for a while. Clarkson 4-2, 3-2
Nicole: It’ll be nice to get a real read on Clarkson. I think they’ll sweep, but SLU might surprise them. Clarkson 3-1, 2-1
Union at RIT
Candace: Home ice should be good for one win for the Tigers. RIT 2-1, Union 2-1
Nicole: I’m picking Union here. Union 2-0, 3-2.
Holy Cross at Brown (home-and-home)
Candace: I’ll go with each team on home ice. Brown 2-1, Holy Cross 2-1
Nicole: I’ll pick a split. Brown 2-1, Holy Cross 3-2
Friday, Sunday (Oct. 19, 21)
Princeton at No. 2 Wisconsin
Candace: This is not an easy way for the Tigers to start their season. Wisconsin 4-2, 4-2
Nicole: The Badgers are so tough at home and it’s Princeton’s first weekend, so I have to pick Wisconsin to sweep. Wisconsin 4-2, 3-1
Saturday, Oct. 20
Vermont at No. 6 Boston College
Candace: I think BC won’t lose in conference for a while. Boston College 3-2
Nicole: I’ve been highly tempted to pick an upset here, but BC’s at home and riding high after the two OT wins last weekend, so I say the Eagles win. Boston College 3-1
Merrimack at Connecticut
Candace: I have to go with home ice. Connecticut 3-1
Nicole: Huskies win. Connecticut 3-0
No. 10 Maine at Boston University
Candace: Maine is where BU was a few years ago, and BU is where Maine was. Maine 4-2
Nicole: Maine takes this one. Maine 4-1
No. 9 Northeastern at New Hampshire
Candace: I have underestimated the Huskies so far, and I think they will challenge BC for the Hockey East crown. Northeastern 4-2
Nicole: Northeastern takes this one. Northeastern 4-2
Tuesday, Oct. 23
Connecticut at Brown
Candace: Brown will start to improve, but it will take a while. Connecticut 3-1
Nicole: Connecticut wins. Connecticut 3-0
Syracuse at No. 7 Cornell
Candace: I like the Big red to start with a bang. Cornell 3-1
Nicole: Cornell opens its season with a win. Cornell 3-0
