Last Week:
Dan: 6-5-2
Chris: 7-4-2
On the season:
Dan: 125-63-21 (.648)
Chris: 126-62-21 (.653)
This Week’s Picks
Thursday, Feb. 13 and Saturday, Feb. 15:
Niagara vs. Robert Morris
Dan: RMU hasn’t lost since January 9th, going 7-0-2 since losing to UConn. Over the second half of the season, the Colonials are 9-1-2. Hard to pick against that. RMU sweeps.
Chris: Robert Morris is the hottest team in the league so it’s tough to pick against the Colonials. RMU is just 3-6-3 against their former CHA rivals since joining Atlantic Hockey, but I think the Colonials will take at least three points this weekend. Since I can’t pick ties, I’m going with an RMU sweep.
Friday, Feb. 14 and Saturday, Feb. 15:
Sacred Heart vs. American International
Dan: AIC hasn’t lost to Sacred Heart since January 27, 2012, and they haven’t lost a season series to the Pioneers since getting swept in 2009-2010. I think this is as hard as ever to pick a sweep, but I pride myself on making bold statements like this. AIC sweeps.
Chris: All of the Eastern Pod teams are playing home and home again this weekend, which increases the probability of some splits. I think that’s what will happen with the Pioneers and Yellow Jackets this weekend. I’m going with the home team each night. AIC wins Friday; Sacred Heart on Saturday.
Bentley vs. Army
Dan: Army hasn’t been swept by Bentley since 2008-2009, a testament to how hard they typically play the Falcons. And there’s something about the JAR’s smaller sheet that’s built for West Point to take a point. Over the span of the 11-game season losing streak they’re currently on, Army has rarely been blown out. Still, Bentley’s two points out of first with the western pod picking up, and now’s not the time for them to take their foot off the accelerator. Bentley sweeps.
Chris: Army is certainly capable of getting a split here, especially at home on Friday, but I think Bentley, just two points out of first place, will be sufficiently motivated not to leave points on the table against the last place Black Knights. Bentley sweeps.
Holy Cross vs. Connecticut
Dan: UConn’s goaltending riches were partially bankrupted last week when Robby Nichols tasted his first bite of struggle. I think he gets a chance to rally back, but I doubt we see him in both games. That said, the Nichols/Grogan platoon is going to head into the playoffs as best in the league. UConn sweeps.
Chris: The Huskies lead the Crusaders by 10 points in the standing but I expect these games to be close. Again, I’d pick a tie on Saturday if I could, but I’m going with a UConn sweep.
Air Force at Canisius
Dan: Since the AHA went to 12 teams, the Falcons are 20-5-4 in February, including last weekend’s sweep of Mercyhurst. Would you bet against that? I wouldn’t either. Air Force sweeps.
Chris: The Falcons are coming off a sweep of first-place Mercyhurst, and I suspect that was the start of the typical Air Force end-of-the-season run. I’m picking the Falcons to sweep.
Mercyhurst at Rochester Institute of Technology
Dan: Mercyhurst got swept by Air Force last week, so let’s take that with a grain of salt since this is really the first taste of adversity they’ve faced all season. On the flip side, RIT was supposed to make a comeback to the top of the standings by heading home. Instead, the roof’s caved in. They can salvage the beginning of the end of Ritter Arena by upsetting the Lakers. I just think the Lakers will send a message this weekend. Mercyhurst sweeps.
Chris: The Lakers are smarting from last weekend, as are the Tigers, who are just 0-3-2 going into the final two games of a seven game home stand. I think Mercyhurst will rebound, so I’m going with a Lakers sweep.
