Arlan is pulling away from me big time, and it’s only November. I doubt I’ll catch him, but stranger things have happened. Last week, I went 15-4-3 (.750), to move to 62-22-8 (.717) on the year. Arlan went 17-2-3 (.840) to move to 67-17-8 (.771) on the year.
Perhaps this week, I can make up a few games.
Thursday, Nov. 7
Providence at New Hampshire
Candace: New Hampshire is one of the reasons I trail Arlan; then again, so is Providence. Hmmm. Providence 2-1
Arlan: I’m listening to The Civil Wars as I make these selections. I realize that statement is irrelevant, but it is more accurate than my picks. New Hampshire 2-1
Friday, Nov. 8
Dartmouth at Clarkson
Candace: Dartmouth is looking horrible this year. Clarkson 3-1
Arlan: Was the win over RPI the start of something for Dartmouth or just a meeting of two teams that lose more often than they should? Clarkson 2-0
Rensselaer at Cornell
Candace: Cornell had an off weekend; they should rebound, even if RPI tends to play to its level of competition. Cornell 4-1
Arlan: Even if the Engineers were playing well, I couldn’t pick them here, but I would’ve said the same about their Harvard game. Cornell 5-1
Harvard at St. Lawrence
Candace: Which Harvard team shows up? Regardless, I have to go with the Crimson. Harvard 3-2
Arlan: St. Lawrence defeats Harvard about as often as Halley’s Comet appears. Harvard 3-2
Princeton at Yale
Candace: This will be a tight game, but I expect the Tigers to come out on top. Princeton 3-2
Arlan: Yale has struggled defensively, but playing nothing but top-half teams will cause that. Princeton 3-2
Boston College at Vermont
Candace: I’d like to think BC has learned from its few hiccups this year. Boston College 5-2
Arlan: If the Eagles need motivation they can look at that empty spot in their trophy case and think of Vermont. Boston College 6-1
Friday-Saturday, Nov. 8-9
Mercyhurst at Robert Morris
Candace: This is likely a split, but since I don’t want to get the dates wrong, I’ll pick a sweep. Mercyhurst 2-1, 3-1
Arlan: I’d rather watch this series than pick it; it should be as entertaining as it is unpredictable. I sense a tie is imminent. Mercyhurst 2-1, 3-2
Bemidji State at Ohio State
Candace: Home ice and an inconsistent opponent should equal a Buckeyes sweep. Ohio State 4-2, 4-1
Arlan: The Buckeyes do much better versus the Bemidji State when the games are not played at the Sanford Center. Ohio State 4-2, 4-1
Minnesota at St. Cloud State
Candace: St. Cloud surprised Minnesota-Duluth last week; the Gophers are an entirely different kettle of fish. Minnesota 4-1, 4-1
Arlan: The large ice sheet in St. Cloud often causes problems for visitors, but Minnesota’s speed should help it adapt. Minnesota 2-1, 3-0
Saturday, Nov. 9
Harvard at Clarkson
Candace: Clarkson rediscovered its offense against Yale, but had been having a tough time before that. Harvard 3-2
Arlan: The pattern thus far is that the Golden Knights play better on Saturdays. Clarkson 2-1
Union at Cornell
Candace: the Dutchwomen are playing well, but Cornell is tops in the ECAC. Cornell 4-2
Arlan: Union has been doing surprisingly well, but I don’t see the Big Red being included in the surprise package. Cornell 4-1
Dartmouth at St. Lawrence
Candace: I wonder if I’ll pick Dartmouth to win this year? Hmmm. St. Lawrence 3-1
Arlan: Have the Big Green ever started 1-6? It could happen. St. Lawrence 3-2
Quinnipiac at Yale
Candace: In this all-Connecticut affair, the Bobcats should prevail. Quinnipiac 4-1
Arlan: I’d pick the Bobcats over most opponents at this point, Yale included. Quinnipiac 4-1
Saturday-Sunday, Nov. 9-10
Maine at Boston University
Candace: Maine played well in its first weekend withoutT Maria Lewis, but the Terriers are looking awfully strong now. Boston University 3-1, 3-0
Arlan: The Terriers ride a five-game winning streak into this series. Marie-Philip who? Boston University 4-0, 3-2
Sunday, Nov. 10
Northeastern at Boston College
Candace: The Eagles need to win this game to move up in the PairWise and position themselves in Hockey East. Boston College 4-2
Arlan: Remember that Kaboom! game where the timer would tick down and it would explode? Picking multiple BC games is like that. Boston College 6-5
Providence at Connecticut
Candace: Can Providence make it two in a row on the road? Why not? Providence 3-1
Arlan: I liked this pick better before the Huskies lost 6-2 at BU. Connecticut 4-3
New Hampshire at Vermont
Candace: Hockey East games are killing me right now. Both Vermont and New Hampshire cost me two more games against Arlan last week. Who to pick? New Hampshire 3-2
Arlan: My vision of hell is a place where one is forced to pick Hockey East games for all eternity. Vermont 3-2
