Another tough week in the picks department, though at least we were both over .500. I went 8-7 (.533), while Arlan went 10-5 (.666). Overall on the year, I am 12-15-1 (.446), while Arlan is a respectable 15-12-1 (.553). We’ve got some exciting series on tap this weekend, including the much-anticipated one between Boston University and Cornell, who played a triple OT thriller in the NCAA tournament back in March. Time to dive in!
Friday-Saturday, October 19-20
Minnesota-Duluth at Minnesota State
Candace: If this series was last weekend, I’d have called a split, but after the Bulldogs swept Wisconsin, I’m inclined to think Minnesota-Duluth gets the sweep. Minnesota-Duluth 3-2, 3-1
Arlan: Hopefully, if there is any drama, it will be on the scoreboard. Minnesota-Duluth 4-1, 2-1
Ohio State at Minnesota
Candace: The Buckeyes are the surprise of the WCHA, sitting atop the standings, but that ends after this weekend. Minnesota 4-1, 5-1
Arlan: The last 21 head-to-head meetings have not been kind to Ohio State. Minnesota 4-2, 2-1
St. Cloud at North Dakota
Candace: Surely the Sioux have to get untracked at some point. No better time than this weekend. North Dakota 4-2, 4-1
Arlan: The Huskies’ October road trip continues. North Dakota 4-1, 3-1
Clarkson at Mercyhurst
Candace: I think this could end up being a split, but getting the nights right is tricky, so I’ll go with the home team both nights. Mercyhurst 3-2, 4-1
Arlan: Another of the excellent series on tap for this weekend. We should learn something about each team. Mercyhurst 3-2, Clarkson 1-0
Quinnipiac at Syracuse
Candace: Despite Syracuse beating up on Penn State, Quinnipiac is at another level still. Quinnipiac 4-1, 4-0
Arlan: Interesting year for the Orange, as schedule provides some confidence-boosting weekends; this isn’t one of them. Quinnipiac 5-3, 4-2
Friday-Sunday, October 19 and 21
Bemidji at Wisconsin
Candace: Bemidji is looking like it is in for a rough rebuilding year, and I can’t remember the last time Wisconsin lost three in a row, or back-to-back series. Wisconsin 4-1, 4-1
Arlan: Bemidji State gets to appear in some historic photos as LaBahn Arena opens and the Badgers play the program’s 500th game. Wisconsin 5-0, 3-2
Friday, October 19
Princeton at RIT
Candace: This would be a confidence-builder for the home Tigers, if they can pull it out. RIT 3-2
Arlan: I love these games where I can say with total confidence, “I like the Tigers in this one.” Princeton 4-3
Saturday-Sunday, October 20-21
Cornell at BU
Candace: This should be a thriller. The Terriers look mighty strong out of the gate, and Cornell is playing its first games on the year. Last year, Cornell swept, outscoring the Terriers 10-2. You might as well flip a coin here. Boston University 4-2, Cornell 3-2
Arlan: Once again the teams play six periods, but this time they get two days to do so. Boston University 3-1, Cornell 4-3
Boston College vs. New Hampshire
Candace: New Hampshire fell back to earth Tuesday. Boston College 3-1, 4-2
Arlan: Faulty third period against Vermont robbed the Wildcats of much of their momentum. Boston College 4-3, 5-2
Saturday, October 20
Princeton at Robert Morris
Candace: Will Rebecca Vint have a sophomore slump? If so, not in this game. Robert Morris 4-1
Arlan: I believe the Colonials goaltending situation is more evolved. Robert Morris 3-1
Tuesday, October 23
St. Lawrence at Cornell
Candace: If Cornell gets swept by Boston University, this game could be even uglier. Cornell 4-1
Arlan: Fifth game of a rugged start for St. Lawrence, as the Big Red will want revenge for ECAC championship. Cornell 4-2
