Well, my lead didn’t last long. Thanks to incorrectly picking Dartmouth and Cornell, I went 16-4 last week (.800), while Arlan went 17-3 (.850). Overall on the year, both Arlan and I are 104-43-15 (.688). This is the last big weekend of games, so let’s see how we can do.
Friday, Dec. 7
Harvard at Providence
Candace: Providence is a perfect mid-tier team; the Friars beat the teams below them and lost to those above. Harvard is above. Harvard 5-2
Arlan: Tough stretch for the Friars continues. Harvard 4-0
Yale at Union
Candace: Yale hasn’t won on the road yet, so I don’t see it happening here. Union 3-2
Arlan: I have no idea, but given Union is the only team without a conference win, I feel obligated to pick the Dutchwomen. Union 1-0
Friday-Saturday, Dec. 7-8
Mercyhurst at Robert Morris
Candace: The Colonials don’t seem as strong defensively as a year ago. Expect the Lakers to light it up. Mercyhurst 5-2, 4-1
Arlan: The Colonials seem a little off, and I don’t think that’ll be good enough against the Lakers. Mercyhurst 4-1, 3-2
Quinnipiac vs. Princeton
Candace: A potentially dangerous home-and-home for the Bobcats, but I think Babstock and Kosta are too strong. Quinnipiac 3-2, 5-2
Arlan: The good news is these are the final Princeton games I have to guess at in 2012. Quinnipiac 2-1, 5-2
Syracuse vs. Clarkson
Candace: Will Clarkson’s Saturday night curse continue in this home-and-home? Something tells me not. Clarkson 3-1, 3-2
Arlan: The Orange catch the Golden Knights at a bad time. Clarkson 3-0, 2-1
Minnesota at Bemidji State
Candace: Even with the potential letdown after sweeping Wisconsin last weekend, the Gophers are just too good. Minnesota 4-2, 4-1
Arlan: Bemidji State was the team with the best winning percentage against Minnesota last season, but the biggest reason for that is no longer in BSU’s net. Minnesota 4-2, 4-1
Saturday, Dec. 8
Harvard at New Hampshire
Candace: New Hampshire has done more to mess up my picks than any other team so far, but I think the Crimson are too strong. Harvard 4-2
Arlan: The Wildcats already own a win against all the other Boston teams. Harvard 3-0
Saturday-Sunday, Dec. 8-9
Dartmouth at Maine
Candace: The Big Green have been struggling, but Maine has struggled more. Dartmouth 3-2, 5-1
Arlan: Each team finds itself in a five-game winless streak; hope that doesn’t mean two ties. Dartmouth 4-2, 3-1
RIT at Ohio State
Candace: The Buckeyes better be prepared for a war, but I think they have too much. Ohio State 4-1, 3-2
Arlan: Getting a needed sweep against teams named Tigers has been problematic for the Buckeyes in the past. Ohio State 3-2, 2-0
North Dakota at Wisconsin
Candace: This is probably a split. Historically, North Dakota wins the second game. Wisconsin 4-2, North Dakota 3-2
Arlan: This is likely a split, but I am down to one split a week and will use it elsewhere. Wisconsin 2-1, 3-2
Boston University at Minnesota-Duluth
Candace: The Terriers have looked a little more vulnerable in recent weeks. This is a hard one to call. Boston University 4-2, 4-3
Arlan: After getting swept three times already, the Bulldogs simply can’t afford another. Minnesota-Duluth 2-1, Boston University 5-2
