Last Week: 0-1-1
On the Season: 0-1-1
This Week’s Picks:
Thursday, Oct. 11 and Friday Oct. 12
Rochester Institute of Technology at No. 3 Michigan – This is the first meeting between the two teams. Michigan will return the favor with a trip to Rochester next season. Both won preseason exhibitions handily. Michigan is the favorite to win the CCHA in the league’s final season and I think the Wolverines will handle the Tigers, who are good for the occasional upset of a ranked team. RIT beat Ferris State last season, but that was on neutral ice. I think home ice makes this a definite sweep. Michigan 5, RIT 2; Michigan 4, RIT 1.
Friday, Oct. 12 and Saturday, Oct 13
American International at Penn State – These will be the first NCAA games for the new program, which is hard to gauge based on its makeup of top prospects and former club players. I think the excitement carries the Nittany Lions to a win in the first game, but AIC comes back on Saturday. Penn State 3, AIC 1; AIC 3, Penn State 2.
Friday, Oct. 12
Sacred Heart at Providence – This is a good test right off the back for the Pioneers, who are coming off a (tied for) last-place finish in the AHA. Providence 4, SHU 1.
Connecticut at Massachusetts – The Huskies meet a future league rival. I’m going with the Minutemen at home. Massachusetts 3, UConn 1.
Nebraska-Omaha vs. Army – The Black Knights are coming off their worst season in over 50 years and face some tough competition in the Ice Breaker Tournament. UNO 4, Army 1.
Canisius at Alaska-Anchorage – Both Alaska teams are picked to finish last in their respective league’s preseason polls, but I think the Seawolves are the better of the Alaska teams and will win on home ice and eventually capture the Kendall Hockey Classic. Alaska-Anchorage 4, Canisius 2.
Air Force vs. Alaska – The other matchup in the Kendall Hockey Classic features the top ranked team in Atlantic Hockey against the bottom ranked team in the CCHA. I’m going with the Falcons. Air Force 3, Alaska 2.
Saturday, Oct. 13 and Sunday, Oct. 14
Robert Morris at No. 18 Quinnipiac – A good test for RMU. The Bobcats already have a win against Maine under their belts and I look for them to sweep. Quinnipiac 3, RMU 1; Quinnipiac 3, RMU 2.
Saturday, Oct. 13
Mercyhurst at Niagara – This is the first conference game of the season and Niagara is coming off a miserable performance in a 10-2 loss to Colgate on Tuesday. That’s got to have me leaning towards Mercyhurst. Mercyhurst 5, Niagara 3.
No. 14 Notre Dame/No. 20 Maine vs. Army – Win or lose on Friday, Army faces a ranked opponent on Saturday. I’m think the Black Knights drop the game to either team.
Air Force at Alaska-Anchorage – This should be a close game, but I’m going with the home team. Alaska-Anchorage 3, Air Force 2.
Canisius vs. Alaska – I’m afraid the Golden Griffins will go 0-for-Alaska. Alaska 4, Canisius 2.
Tuesday, Oct. 16
Holy Cross at American International – The Crusaders see their first action of the season, and I think it will be a success. Holy Cross 4, AIC 2.
Sacred Heart at Bentley – The Falcons also see their first action and can’t look past SHU as they prepare for Michigan the next weekend. Bentley 5, SHU 2.
