Last week:
Dan: 6-6-2
Chris: 8-4-2
On the season:
Dan: 34-20-3 (.623)
Chris: 38-18-3 (.693)
This Week’s Picks:
Friday, November 7 and Saturday, November 8
Niagara at Bentley
Dan: This is an intriguing matchup between a Niagara team better than a winless record and a Bentley team that lost its only home game this year. The Falcons have been coming together over the past couple of weeks, which I think propels them this week. I think Niagara gets at least a point, but I can’t pick ties, and I hate picking splits. Bentley sweeps.
Chris: The Purple Eagles are winless so far, and Bentley is home for just the second time this season. The Falcons lost their lone home game at the JAR, but I don’t think that happens this time. Bentley sweeps.
Army at Mercyhurst
Dan: The last time Army won at Mercyhurst, John F. Kennedy was president. I love Army, but I have a hard time picking against the Lakers in their own barn. Mercyhurst sweeps.
Chris: This series has a nice subplot of Laker sophomore Jack Riley going up against his dad, Army coach Brian Riley. Mercyhurst is coming off a huge win at Colgate last weekend and I think will earn a hard-fought sweep.
Holy Cross at RIT
Dan: This is the first of teams probably glad the games aren’t in Ritter Arena; the Tigers went 9-2-4 at the old barn against the Crusaders. A new slate and a new day for Holy Cross, a team slowly winning me over after I predicted them in the bottom two of the league. And yes, I realize I said I hate picking splits. RIT wins on Friday, Holy Cross wins on Saturday
Chris: RIT has dominated this series, but Holy Cross has come on as of late, including a wild win in last year’s best-of-three playoff series. But I think the Tigers are due for a good weekend at home. RIT sweeps.
Canisius at Sacred Heart
Dan: Having seen Sacred Heart in person, I can tell you they’re a team that will make you a believer. Sacred Heart sweeps.
Chris:This is a tough one to call as both teams have been up-and-down so far. But Canisius is 8-1-1 against SHU in their previous ten meetings, and I’m going with that trend. Canisius sweeps.
Alabama-Huntsville at Air Force
Dan: Alabama-Huntsville will eventually be much better than they are, and they’re a team now fighting for a potential playoff spot in the WCHA with Alaska suspended from postseason play. That said, this is a non-conference game, a very long road trip, and an Air Force team still hungry after narrowly defeated North Dakota last week. Air Force sweeps.
Chris: This is a matchup of former CHA teams, and a homecome of sorts for UAH coach Mike Corbett, who spent ten years as an assistant at Air Force. The Falcons are coming off a tough lost last Saturday at North Dakota, a game they were seconds away from winning. I think they rebound here. Air Force sweeps.
Friday, November 7
American International at Massachusetts
Dan: UMass fans can call this personal for me, but I’m calling it strictly business. AIC rolls into the Mullins Center and gets it done behind strong third period goaltending. I’m on board with the idea of moving this game to Springfield and making it a thing. Perhaps a trophy is in order? AIC wins.
Chris: The Yellow Jackets are coming off a sweep at Niagara, while the Minutemen lost a pair of close games to Maine last weekend. If AIC rookie goaltender Alex Murray can keep things rolling, the Yellow Jackets will prevail. But I have a hunch UMass will find a way to get it done. UMass wins.
