So much for making a comeback. Arlan put more distance between me and him last weekend. It could be all over but for the fat lady to sing. Last weekend, I went 15-6-5 to move to 187-65-31 on the year, while Arlan went 17-4-5 to move to 196-56-31 on the year.
I’m still trying to catch him though.
Friday, Jan. 24
Rensselaer at Dartmouth
Candace: I have to make up ground somehow, and Dartmouth is at home. Dartmouth 2-1
Arlan: The Engineers were one of two teams Dartmouth beat in the first half, and it completed the sweep of Colgate. Rensselaer 2-1
Union at Harvard
Candace: This might be a closer game than expected, but the favorite should prevail. Harvard 3-1
Arlan: The answer seems obvious, so I’m not going to make this harder than it has to be. Harvard 4-0
Cornell at St. Lawrence
Candace: St. Lawrence is not back to form unfortunately. Cornell 4-1
Arlan: The Saints are trying but getting little to show for their efforts. Cornell 5-2
Friday-Saturday, Jan. 24-25
Robert Morris at Mercyhurst
Candace: Home ice should be good for at least one win for the Lakers. Mercyhurst 3-2, Robert Morris 3-2
Arlan: Many banners hang in Erie because the Lakers always get the better of these series; maybe not this time. Mercyhurst 2-1, Robert Morris 3-2
Brown home-and-home with Yale
Candace: Mandi Schwartz’s brother Jaden, who plays for the St. Louis Blues, will be at Friday’s celebration of his sister with all of his teammates. Yale may come out flat after that emotional game, but I think the Bulldogs sweep. Yale 3-1, 3-2
Arlan: The biggest risk for the Bulldogs is a letdown after Friday’s White Out for Mandi. Yale 4-0, 2-1
Maine at Northeastern
Candace: No, Candace can’t pick Maine, especially since Northeastern is looking dangerous again. Northeastern 3-1, 3-2
Arlan: The Black Bears are confident after a league win; can the Huskies’ thin roster hold up? Would Candace pick Maine? Northeastern 4-2, 2-1
Boston University at Vermont
Candace: As Arlan says, a split is entirely possible with the Terriers reeling, but I have no idea which night is which, so I’ll pick the Terriers. Boston University 2-1, 2-1
Arlan: Something is clearly wrong with the Terriers, but in what order might a split play out? Boston University 3-2, 2-0
Minnesota State at Ohio State
Candace: OSU posted impressive back-to-back results against Minnesota and Minnesota-Duluth. I think the Buckeyes keep it going. Ohio State 3-2, 4-1
Arlan: With just three goals in their last five games, the puck just isn’t going in for the Mavericks right now. Ohio State 2-1, 3-1
St. Cloud State at Minnesota
Candace: To answer Arlan’s poser, no, the Huskies can’t. Minnesota 4-1, 5-1
Arlan: Ohio State ended a long losing skid to Minnesota this month; can the Huskies do the same? Minnesota 4-1, 3-1
Bemidji State at North Dakota
Candace: North Dakota really needs these games ahead of next weekend’s series with Minnesota. I’m sure they’ll be close though. North Dakota 3-1, 3-2
Arlan: I know that BSU will battle hard, but UND is just as desperate for points and more talented. North Dakota 4-1, 1-0
Saturday, Jan. 25
Cornell at Clarkson
Candace: Again, I need to gain ground on Arlan somehow. This will probably go to OT, and could be a preview of the ECAC Championship. Cornell 3-2
Arlan: Shannon Desrosiers said that home ice means a lot in this series, so I’ll go with that. Clarkson 2-1
Union at Dartmouth
Candace: Union really let me down last weekend against RPI in the picks race. Dartmouth 3-2
Arlan: The Big Green are making progress with three wins after Christmas, only two before then. Dartmouth 3-1
Rensselaer at Harvard
Candace: Harvard will be extra on guard against losing for a second time to RPI. Harvard 3-1
Arlan: I don’t expect lightning to strike twice in the same place and the same season. Harvard 2-0
Saturday-Sunday, Jan. 25-26
New Hampshire home-and-home with Boston College
Candace: BC already had its one loss to New Hampshire. After pulling away more from BU last weekend, the Eagles won’t want to give ground back. Boston College 4-1, 4-2
Arlan: The Eagles may not be as superior as first thought, but they’re still the favorite versus any Hockey East opponent. Boston College 3-2, 4-1
Providence home-and-home with Connecticut
Candace: Providence still hasn’t established consistency, so I’ll go with home ice in each. Connecticut 2-1, Providence 3-2
Arlan: The only saving grace is that series like this have to be just as unfathomable for Candace. Providence 5-4, 3-1
Minnesota-Duluth at Wisconsin
Candace: Duluth’s offense struggles, which is Bad News Bears against the best goaltending duo in the country. Wisconsin 3-1, 2-1
Arlan: The Bulldogs always seem to get a win from UW at some point, but this season, they’re still looking. Wisconsin 2-1, 3-0
