Well, I took a chance last week so Arlan and I wouldn’t completely double up our picks, even though I really wanted to pick St. Lawrence in its second game against Clarkson. It looked like it might pay off, but the Saints rallied, so Arlan gained a game back on me in our picks race. Overall last week, I went 15-4-1 (.775) to move to 185-60-23 (.733) on the year. Arlan went 16-3-1 (.825) to move to 184-61-23 (.729).
Lots of games this weekend, so maybe I can regain the two-game advantage!
Friday, Feb. 8
Colgate at Princeton
Candace: This seems like a trap game, so I’ll go with the home team. Princeton 3-1
Arlan: The Raiders are as hard to predict as any team, but the Tigers seem better of late. Princeton 3-2
Cornell at Quinnipiac
Candace: Cornell has been on a roll, and has too many horses. Cornell 4-2
Arlan: The Bobcats are on an 8-2-1 stretch, but the Big Red present too tall of an order. Cornell 5-2
Clarkson at Rensselaer
Candace: Clarkson usually rebounds from a loss, which is bad timing for the Engineers to pull an upset. Clarkson 4-2
Arlan: RPI is playing well. I see the Golden Knights as being better than Dartmouth, the best opponent that the Engineers have beaten. Clarkson 3-1
Friday-Saturday, Feb. 8-9
Robert Morris at Mercyhurst
Candace: I’d imagine the Lakers have had this series circled on the calendar ever since getting swept by Robert Morris in December. Mercyhurst 4-2, 4-1
Arlan: Which trend holds? Robert Morris is 3-0-1 in last four games versus the Lakers and 1-9-1 in last 11 against everyone else. Mercyhurst 4-1, 2-1
Syracuse vs. RIT (home-and-home)
Candace: Both games went to OT the last time these two faced off. RIT delights in making me look bad when I pick against them, but loses if I pick them to win. Go figure. Syracuse 2-1, 2-1
Arlan: The two teams tied and played a one-goal game in November, and this should be more of the same. RIT 2-1, Syracuse 3-1
Minnesota at Ohio State
Candace: The Gophers express continues its rush. Minnesota 5-1, 4-1
Arlan: At least one game will be tight, even if OSU has lost 20-some straight head-to-head. Minnesota 2-1, 4-1
Wisconsin at St. Cloud
Candace: I’d love to pick St. Cloud, but I just can’t. Wisconsin really needs the wins. Wisconsin 2-1, 3-1
Arlan: Both teams coming off a bye after being swept at home. Wisconsin 2-0, 3-1
Bemidji State at North Dakota
Candace: Bemidji doesn’t have the netminder to hang with the top squads right now. North Dakota 4-1, 5-1
Arlan: Beavers have split three of last four series; UND has won four straight comfortably after falling to Wisconsin. North Dakota 3-0, 6-1
Saturday, Feb. 9
Cornell at Princeton
Candace: Cornell is going to want to be in position to take over first the following weekend. Cornell 5-0
Arlan: Princeton has only scored two goals total over last seven meetings. Cornell 6-1
Colgate at Quinnipiac
Candace: Expect Kelly Babstock and company to rebound from the previous night. Quinnipiac 4-1
Arlan: If Cornell takes too much starch out of “Q”, then Colgate could take advantage. Quinnipiac 4-2
St. Lawrence at Rensselaer
Candace: If the Saints who beat Clarkson show up, this shouldn’t be that close. St. Lawrence 4-1
Arlan: Expect a one-goal game either way. St. Lawrence 2-1
Saturday-Sunday, Feb. 9-10
Maine at Vermont
Candace: Vermont broke a losing streak last weekend against New Hampshire, and Maine just hasn’t been consistent at all this season. Vermont 4-2, 4-1
Arlan: These games have to matter more in the standings to the Catamounts than the Black Bears. Vermont 4-3, 3-1
Minnesota State at Minnesota-Duluth
Candace: The Bulldogs get back on track after being swept last weekend. Minnesota-Duluth 4-2, 4-1
Arlan: MSU is at the end of a rough stretch of games. Minnesota-Duluth 3-1, 6-0
Tuesday, Feb. 12
Harvard vs. Boston University
Candace: Can the Terriers get their offense back? Boston University 3-1
Arlan: A tie wouldn’t surprise me at all. Harvard 2-1
Boston College vs. Northeastern
Candace: BC is looking like it can win either a defensive battle or an offensive barnburner. Boston College 4-1
Arlan: Eagles look poised to claim Beanpots for both genders. Boston College 5-2
