Ouch. The women’s field has certainly been a lot more unpredictable this season than last. Both Arlan and I struggled again this week. I went 5-5-1 (.500) while Arlan went 6-4-1 (.590). Overall on the season, I am 17-11-4 (.593) and Arlan is 18-10-4 (.625). Once again, there are some tough picks on the weekend, so let’s get to it.
Friday-Saturday, October 21-22
Wisconsin at Minnesota-Duluth
Candace: The Badgers have certainly started their season with a bang, playing their three toughest WCHA opponents on consecutive weekends. Minnesota ended the Badgers’ unbeaten streak last week. Can Wisconsin start another? Minnesota-Duluth has been winning, though it was challenged by a suspect Connecticut squad last week. This will probably be a split, but for now, I’ll go with Mark Johnson’s magic. Wisconsin 3-1, 3-2
Arlan: Wisconsin should sweep, but it won’t; the Badgers haven’t swept in Duluth since January 2002. Wisconsin 3-1, Minnesota-Duluth 2-1
Ohio State at North Dakota
Candace: The mercurial Sioux host a Buckeyes squad that is off to a good start. However, Ohio State hasn’t faced a top-tier team yet. I’m going with the scoring prowess of the Lamoureux sisters. North Dakota 3-2, 4-2
Arlan: The first big test for the new regime for the Buckeyes, because these are the kind of games OSU has always lost in the past. North Dakota 5-3, Ohio State 3-2
Boston University at Clarkson/St. Lawrence
Candace: The ECAC squads pair off with two Hockey East squads. This is one that could be a toss-up, since Clarkson has looked good to start the season. However, I am going against the grain and picking a Terriers sweep in two close games. Boston University 2-1, 3-1
Arlan: BU will drop a game this weekend; I have no idea which one, so I’ll pick them to win both in hopes of getting one right. BU 3, Clarkson 1; BU 4, St. Lawrence 3
New Hampshire at St. Lawrence/Clarkson
Candace: The other ECAC/Hockey East pairing. The Wildcats didn’t look too good against Boston College last week, and that was a much shorter trip. I think they’ll challenge both squads, but lose. St. Lawrence 2-1, Clarkson 3-2
Arlan: UNH may get a tie, but their effort at BC was uninspiring. SLU 4, UNH 1; Clarkson 1, UNH 0
Friday, October 21
Quinnipiac at Boston College
Candace: The Eagles have been playing well, the Bobcats haven’t, and BC is at home. Boston College 3-1
Arlan: Quinnipiac will get things turned around, but not this week. BC 4-2
Sunday, October 23
Dartmouth at Boston College
Candace: I picked the Eagles to take the Hockey East crown this year, despite losing Stack and Schaus, and they are playing well to start the year. Boston College 3-1
Arlan: Not a good matchup for the Big Green to start their season. Boston College 4-2
Tuesday, October 25
Cornell at Colgate
Candace: Will the the Big Red go undefeated and untied in conference play this year? It’s a pretty good bet. Cornell 4-0
Arlan: Finally, an outcome that I think I can predict; watch the Raiders make a liar of me. Cornell 6-0
