Thanks to Northeastern’s come-from-behind OT win over Boston University in the Beanpot final, I managed to stay one game ahead of Arlan, who gained ground on me thanks to my getting the splits wrong on Ohio State-Minnesota-Duluth and incorrectly picking Bemidji State to get a split with North Dakota. I went 14-7-1 (.659) to drop my season to 157-59-21 (.706). Arlan went 15-6-1 (.704) to improve to 156-60-21 (.702). There’s only two weeks left; can I hold him off?
Let’s take a look at this week’s action.
Friday, February 10
Clarkson at Princeton
Candace: Which Tigers show up: the ones that held Dartmouth to a goal, or the ones that gave up a 10-spot to Harvard? Clarkson was held to a goal at home the last time these two played. Clarkson 2-1
Arlan: What will Princeton do in the wake of its Harvard collapse. Clarkson 9-8
St. Lawrence at Quinnipiac
Candace: The Saints have been red-hot since early December, dropping only one game and tying another, and are a different squad than the one that dropped a 3-2 decision to the Bobcats in November. St. Lawrence 3-1
Arlan: The Bobcats have already equaled their losses of a season ago. St. Lawrence 3-2
Harvard at Rensselaer
Candace: This could be a close game, but I suspect the Crimson further consolidate their hold on second. Harvard 3-1
Arlan: Three years have passed since the Crimson last won in Troy; guess they’re due. Harvard 2-1
Dartmouth at Union
Candace: The Big Green begin a final push to finish third in the ECAC. Dartmouth 2-0
Arlan: Union has but one win in last 20 outings. Dartmouth 4-0
Friday-Saturday, February 10-11
Minnesota-Duluth at Bemidji State
Candace: I got burned picking Bemidji last weekend, though it has generally been better at home. Not really sure what to make of this one. I’ll pick the Beavers to get their usual Saturday night home win. Minnesota-Duluth 3-2, Bemidji State 3-2
Arlan: The road to picks ruin is paved with picking UMD sweeps. Minnesota-Duluth 4-2, Bemidji State 2-0
Minnesota at Ohio State
Candace: The Buckeyes are usually good for a split at home, but I have to go with Schoullis and Kessel, plus Emily West has been on fire lately. Minnesota 2-1, 3-1
Arlan: If OSU and UM play to form, this is a split, but I’ll gamble that the Gophers have turned a corner. Minnesota 3-1, 4-3
Friday-Sunday, February 10 and 12
Niagara vs. Robert Morris home-and-home
Candace: These two split a couple of weeks ago in a low-scoring series. I am going to pick the Colonials to sweep with a chance to challenge Mercyhurst the final weekend. Robert Morris 1-0, 2-1
Arlan: Can I get a bonus point if Niagara takes both games to OT? Robert Morris 2-1, 1-0
Saturday, February 11
St. Lawrence at Princeton
Candace: The Saints’ streak could conceivably end here, but I’ll say not. St. Lawrence 3-1
Arlan: Great — another Princeton game. May I use negative numbers in protest? St. Lawrence 1-0
Clarkson at Quinnipiac
Candace: Another potentially dangerous matchup for the Golden Knights, but I think they have enough to win this one. Clarkson 4-2
Arlan: Mmm, Clarkson on the road? Quinnipiac at home? I’ll go with the Badgers in St. Cloud. Clarkson 2-1
Harvard at Union
Candace: I don’t, frankly, see either Harvard or Dartmouth losing in the rest of the regular season. Harvard 3-1
Arlan: Has it really come to this — we’re picking Harvard and Union games? Harvard 3-0
Dartmouth at Rensselaer
Candace: See above. Dartmouth 3-1
Arlan: Dartmouth is the smart pick, but I have a soft spot for the home team on Senior Day. Rensselaer 2-0
Saturday-Sunday, February 11-2
Boston College vs. Connecticut home-and-home
Candace: This is a potentially huge series. If Maine can split with Northeastern, the Eagles could get back in the driver’s seat for the Hockey East regular season title, and also avoid a dangerous draw with Boston University in the semis of the tournament. Boston College 2-1, 4-1
Arlan: UConn games seem so obvious that it feels like a trap. Boston College 5-4, 3-0
Maine at Northeastern
Candace: As Arlan has detailed this week in his column, the Black Bears have been awesome on the road. I expect this will be a split, but am not sure on the dates. Maine did sweep BU on the road, and Northeastern is probably going to be a little flat after its emotional Beanpot win. Maine 4-3, Northeastern 4-2
Arlan: Black Bears catch Huskies with a Beanpot hangover. Maine 2-1, Northeastern 3-2
Providence at New Hampshire
Candace: I thought the Wildcats were starting to roll and about to clinch the final playoff spot in Hockey East. Then they lost to Connecticut. Providence 3-1, 3-2
Arlan: On paper, this is a PC sweep, but I’m told they will be playing on ice. New Hampshire 2-1, Providence 5-1
Boston University at Vermont
Candace: The Catamounts really get the Terriers at a bad time, as BU will want to push any thoughts of its heartbreaking Beanpot loss away. Boston University 4-1, 4-2
Arlan: Vermont has been outscored 37-11 in 2012. Boston University 5-1, 4-0
