Well, once again I couldn’t gain ground on Arlan, as New Hampshire doomed me to finishing with the same record as him, 12-4-1 (.735). Entering our last week, where we are both picking the same way, it looks like Arlan has the six pack wrapped up, although maybe if I shoot for gaining one game a week, I can catch him. Unfortunately, this isn’t the week for that. On the year, I am 132-49-20 (.706) while Arlan is 139-42-20 (.741).
Friday-Saturday, Dec. 13-14
North Dakota at Minnesota State
Candace: One of these games might be close, especially if Michelle Karvinen can’t play, but I’ll assume North Dakota is simply too strong. North Dakota 3-1, 4-1
Arlan: The Mavericks are actually the hotter team, having won three of their past four while UND has only one win over its previous four contests. I’m going to assume that is more about the quality of the competition faced and stick with the favored team, although I think at least one game will be close. North Dakota 4-3, 5-1
Minnesota-Duluth at St. Cloud State
Candace: The Bulldogs were just swept by BU, but I think they should be able to end their first half on a high note. Minnesota-Duluth 4-2, 4-3
Arlan: Other than a sweep at Ohio State, the Bulldogs have done little to inspire confidence since October other than a tie with Wisconsin. Conversely, their 3-5-2 record over that time is still better than SCSU’s mark of 3-6-1. The Huskies did win and tie in Duluth, but after scoring six goals in a game last weekend, I’m not sure that there are many more where those came from. Minnesota-Duluth 2-1, 4-1
Maine at Union
Candace: Union has been a little more inconsistent than I expected, but Maine has been dreadful. And Union is at home. Union 3-2, 4-2
Arlan: I fully expect this to be a split. As for the order, I have not even a semblance of an idea. Union did manage a sweep in Orono last year, one of only two series sweeps for the Dutchwomen over a team not named Sacred Heart in their D-I history. Also, picking Maine to win has not been a profitable venture over the last couple of seasons, so I’ll just pick Union twice and hope at least one is correct. Union 4-2, 2-1
Saturday, Dec. 14
Clarkson at RIT
Candace: This one should be a lot closer than the last time these two faced off, but there are too many good players at Clarkson who are also leaders, like Jamie Lee Rattray, Carly Mercer, and Erica Howe, for RIT to win this one. Clarkson 4-1
Arlan: I’m confident that RIT won’t lose by 11 goals as it did back in September. The Tigers will be excited to be hosting the program’s first outdoor game, and as they demonstrated at Robert Morris, they are capable of going toe-to-toe with a ranked opponent. At the end of the day, Clarkson just has more ways that it can come out on top. Clarkson 2-1
