Last Week: 11-2
On the Season: 99-45-21 (.663)
This Week’s Picks:
Friday, Jan. 25 and Saturday, Jan. 26
Robert Morris at Air Force – The Falcons won the first meeting between the two teams, 4-1 back on Oct. 27. Air Force has won six of the last eight meetings between these former CHA opponents, including four straight in Colorado Springs. I think that trend continues. Air Force sweeps.
Niagara vs. Rochester Institute of Technology – Friday’s game is at RIT; Saturday’s is at Niagara. The Tigers have just one win against the Purple Eagles since moving to Division I but it was a big one: an overtime victory in last year’s Atlantic Hockey semifinals. Niagara leads the Division I series 7-1-5. All those ties, including a 2-2 game back in December, makes me think there willl be one in this series as well, probably Friday at Ritter Arena (RIT has never won at Dwyer Arena). But I can’t pick ties so I’m going with a Niagara sweep.
Bentley vs. Holy Cross – This is the top matchup among several outstanding series this weekend. The rivals are just a point apart in the bunched-up standings, with the Falcons tied for third and the Crusaders, who host on Friday, tied for second. Holy Cross won the first meeting between the schools 4-3 in November and is 6-1-4 in the last 11 meetings between the schools. But Bentley has enough to get at least a split, so I’m going with the home team each night. Holy Cross wins Friday; Bentley Saturday.
American International vs. Connecticut – The Huskies are coming off a near-upset of No. 2 Quinnipiac and should take that momentum into this series. I like UConn to win both games, although I think the one in Springfield on Friday will be closer than Saturday’s contest in Storrs. Connecticut sweeps.
Saturday, Jan. 26 and Tuesday, Jan. 29
Mercyhurst vs. Canisius – Due to a water main break on Mercyhurst’s campus, Friday’s game has been moved to the following Tuesday. That means Round One is at Canisius on Saturday. These teams have faced each other more than any other opponent: 71 games and counting with the Lakers ahead 38-24-9. Mercyhurst won 3-2 in overtime earlier in the season. This time out I’m picking a split with the road team coming out on top. Mercyhurst wins Saturday; Canisius on Tuesday.
Sunday, Jan. 27
Sacred Heart at Princeton – Another tough road game for the winless Pioneers. This game and Army’s Saturday exhibition against the Royal Military Academy are the final non-conference games playing by Atlantic Hockey teams this season. Princeton is playing it’s best hockey of the season, 3-1 in it last four games. Princeton wins.
Feel free to chime in by posting your picks in the comments and follow me on Twitter @chrislerch for updates throughout the weekend.
