Last Week:
Dan: 11-1
Chris: 11-1
On the season:
Dan: 38-17-5 (.675)
Chris: 42-13-5 (.742)
This Week’s Picks
Friday, Nov. 8 and Saturday, Nov. 9:
Niagara at Ohio State
Dan: This is a game that Niagara would’ve won last year. But Niagara’s lost some of what made them who they were last year, and the league is so abysmal in non-conference play that I’m pretty sure the rest of the NCAA put a hex on them. Ohio State sweeps.
Chris: Ohio State is coming off a nice win over Minnesota-Duluth and is 3-1 in its last four games. I think that and the home ice advantage favors the Buckeyes. Ohio State sweeps.
Friday, Nov. 8:
Holy Cross at Army
Dan: This is one of those “impossible to predict” games. Army is better than their record would indicate, and Rob Tadazak could go out and win this game (not steal. Win.). I might be crazy, but I really think Army can pull this one off. Army wins.
Chris: These teams are a combined 1-9 so far, but I expect a good game. I think the Crusaders pull out a narrow victory. Holy Cross wins.
American International at Bentley
Dan: Ryan Soderquist went for broke last year when he pulled his goalie with under a minute left in overtime. It made headlines for all the wrong reasons because AIC won the faceoff, iced the puck, scored, and won the 9th seed while sending Bentley to Canisius for the first round (instead of playing at home). Coupel revenge with their offense breaking out. Plus it’s the Falcon home opener. Bentley wins.
Chris: The Falcons will be looking for a bit of revenge against the Yellow Jackets, who swept them on the final weekend of the regular season, stealing away the final home ice playoff spot. I think Bentley gets a win here in its home ice opener. Bentley wins.
Rochester Institute of Technology at Mercyhurst
Dan: All signs are pointing to Mercyhurst winning this one. Nobody wants a potential trap game against RIT, which is exactly what this is. RIT wins.
Chris: The Tigers are 9-1-1 at the Mercyhurst Ice center in their last 11 visits, and are desperate for a win. But I’m going with the Lakers, who should have confidence after blasting Air Force 8-2 on home ice last weekend. Mercyhurst wins.
Canisius at Robert Morris
Dan: With traditional powers like Air Force and RIT, last year’s big dog in Niagara, and the flavor of the month in Canisius and Mercyhurst, people are forgetting that RMU was a solid team last year that won 20 and went 11-5-4 at home. RMU wins.
Chris: This is a tough call, but I think it will come down to goaltending, and I give the Golden Griffins the advantage there. Canisius wins.
Sacred Heart at Penn State
Dan: Sacred Heart’s improved, but so is Penn State. Transitive property said that Penn State will win this one. Penn State wins.
Chris: The Nittany Lions pulled out a wild game at Robert Morris last weekend, and should have an easier time with the Pioneers on home ice. Penn State wins.
Saturday, Nov. 9:
Mercyhurst at Canisius
Dan: Canisius has the latest home opener in Division I, and it’ll save the best for last when it raises a conference championship and NCAA tournament banner in the face of the team they beat to get there. This one’s going to be wild and emotionally charged. But I think, at the end of the day, Mercyhurst has too much. Mercyhurst wins.
Chris:This will be the 114th meeting between the two schools, tops on the list for both teams. It’s also a rematch of last season’s AHA title game. I’m going with the Lakers to get a road win. Mercyhurst wins.
Rochester Institute of Technology at Robert Morris
Dan: RIT gave up a lot of goals to RMU last year in losing two of their three meetings. It’s also a weird bus trip for the Tigers, who will have to go back through Erie to get home from Pittsburgh. RMU wins.
Chris: In their last meeting at 84 Lumber Arena, the Tigers finally won after coming up short in six previous attempts. But I think that trend will be short-lived. RMU wins.
Sunday, Nov. 10:
Army at Boston College
Dan: A plus for Army is that BC is playing at Agganis on Friday, which means there’s going to be a substantial amount of banged up bodies. That’s immediately counteracted by BC’s ridiculous depth, which includes two solid goalies in Brian Billett and Thatcher Demko. My heart’s with Army, but my brain’s telling me this one might get ugly. Boston College wins.
Chris: This could be a trap game for BC, having played BU on Friday. But I have to go with the eighth-ranked Eagles. Boston College wins.
Tuesday, Nov. 12:
Army at Sacred Heart
Dan: After playing two games in all of October, Army gets three in a work week. Then again, the only “fatigue” Army ever knows is the ones they wear to work. Army wins.
Chris: Army will be playing its third game in five days, but I still like the Black Knights to pull out a close game. Army wins.
Holy Cross at Connecticut
Dan: I can’t wait to see Holy Cross’s offense go head-to-head with the pound-for-pound best goalie in the AHA on a fast sheet of ice in Storrs. I’m taking UConn, but get ready for some great fireworks. UConn wins.
Chris: I wish I could be at this game, because I think it’s going to be highly entertaining. I’m giving the nod to the Huskies at home. UConn wins.
