Well, thanks to correctly picking Quinnipiac to sweep Robert Morris and Arlan picking North Dakota over Wisconsin on night one, I maintained my slim, one-game lead over Arlan. Both Arlan and I went 13-2-2 (.823) last week. I am now 156-54-21 (.720) while Arlan is 155-55-21 (.716). We’ve got a lot of games on the slate this weekend.
Friday, Jan. 25
Harvard at Clarkson
Candace: This has the makings of a great game. If it had been last year, I might have picked opposite. Harvard 2-1
Arlan: Clarkson presents toughest road test for the Crimson since their loss at BU in November. Harvard 2-0
Dartmouth at St. Lawrence
Candace: A crucial game between these two for the second tier position in the ECAC. St. Lawrence 3-2
Arlan: Big Green haven’t lost in their last six, but they now step up in class. St. Lawrence 4-3
Boston University at Vermont
Candace: I’d love to pick Vermont, but the Terriers are too strong. Boston University 4-2
Arlan: Since losing at UNH, the Terriers have been unspectacular, but good enough to put together 10 straight without a loss. Boston University 3-1
Friday-Saturday, Jan. 25-26
Minnesota-Duluth at Ohio State
Candace: The Bulldogs have been on a roll since early December, while Ohio State has been more up and down. I think this is a split, but which night to pick which team? Minnesota-Duluth 3-2, Ohio State 3-2
Arlan: Bulldogs have been thinking about the season-opening sweep at the hands of the Buckeyes for a long time. Minnesota-Duluth 2-1, 3-1
North Dakota at St. Cloud
Candace: I’m pretty confident that this one is a sweep. North Dakota 4-1, 4-0
Arlan: A letdown versus SCSU is possible coming off two huge series, but UND has to know it can’t afford one. North Dakota 3-1, 5-2
Friday, Sunday, Jan. 25, 27
Minnesota at Wisconsin
Candace: Can the Badgers prevent their arch-rivals from breaking Wisconsin’s unbeaten streak? Something tells me no. Minnesota 4-2, 4-1
Arlan: The Gophers lost their first games in the Sanford Center in Bemidji and Amsoil Arena in Duluth; Friday is their first game in LaBahn Arena. Wisconsin 2-1, Minnesota 3-0
Saturday, Jan. 26
Harvard at St. Lawrence
Candace: If the Crimson escape from this one, they might just run the table in the league. Harvard 3-2
Arlan: The win in the most-recent meeting in the ECAC semi broke a nine-game losing skid for SLU versus Harvard. Harvard 4-2
Dartmouth at Clarkson
Candace: This one is just as hard to call as the Friday game involving Dartmouth. Clarkson 2-1
Arlan: Golden Knights just don’t seem right since losing to Colgate to open December, so who knows about this one. Clarkson 2-1
Boston College at Providence
Candace: Even if Haley Skarupa isn’t in the lineup, BC should be strong enough to win. Boston College 5-1
Arlan: Friars are allowing far too many goals in the post-Lacasse Era. Boston College 6-3
Saturday-Sunday, Jan. 26-27
Robert Morris at RIT
Candace: As Arlan has problems with Robert Morris, so too do I have issues with RIT. The last time these two met, the Tigers swept, on the road. Hmmm. RIT 3-2, 4-3
Arlan: I can’t seem to win an RMU game of late, but then neither can the Colonials. RIT 3-2, Robert Morris 2-1
Sunday, Jan. 27
Connecticut at Boston College
Candace: Another opportunity for the Eagles to work on defense. Boston College 5-1
Arlan: A long season for UConn gets longer. Boston College 7-1
New Hampshire at Boston University
Candace: The Wildcats are the only team besides the Eagles to beat the Terriers. Something tells me BU will be out for revenge. Boston University 4-2
Arlan: It feels clever to pick the Wildcats in an upset until they lose. Boston University 5-3
Maine at Providence
Candace: Even if the Friars have a porous defense, it should stand up against the Black Bears. Providence 4-2
Arlan: The Black Bears had their best defensive weekend of the season a week ago versus Vermont. Providence 4-3
Tuesday, Jan. 29
Mercyhurst at Cornell
Candace: A crucial game for both teams in the PairWise. Go with home ice. Cornell 3-2
Arlan: Water problems further complicate a busy stretch for Mercyhurst. Cornell 4-2
