As the weeks go by, I have more losses on each slate, but maybe that’s just the result of picking more games. I still went a very respectable 19-6-2 (.740), and am now 59-11-6 on the year (.815).
With a lot of interesting games on the docket, it might be hard to do really well, but let’s give it a go.
Friday, Oct. 23
Harvard at Dartmouth
This series used to be one of the premier ones in the ECAC, but Dartmouth has fallen from its lofty perch, so let’s pick the Crimson to open strong. Harvard 4-2
Friday-Saturday, Oct. 23-24
Minnesota-Duluth at Minnesota
The Bulldogs just aren’t what they were four or five years ago, and while at least one game should be close, I like the Gophers to sweep. Minnesota 5-1, 3-2
Bemidji State at Wisconsin
Usually, a high-flying offense gets stymied by a top defense, but the Badgers have done well against the Beavers. Wisconsin 3-2, 3-1
North Dakota at St. Cloud
Poor St. Cloud is currently in the middle of a brutal stretch of running the gauntlet against the four nationally ranked WCHA teams. After getting blown out by Minnesota and playing Wisconsin better, now the Huskies get a stingy North Dakota team before facing an even stingier Bemidji State next weekend. These games should be closer than last weekend’s, but the results are the same. North Dakota 3-2, 3-2
Minnesota State at Ohio State
Which former Olympian grabs their first conference win? I’m betting on home ice. Ohio State 2-1, 2-1
Boston College at Cornell
BC dominated these games at home last year. The Eagles haven’t looked as good this year, but with Cornell graduating its top three scorers from last season, I like BC. Boston College 4-2, 4-1
New Hampshire at Clarkson
These games could get ugly. Clarkson 5-1, 5-0
Colgate at Merrimack
Aside from a short lapse in the third period last Sunday against Connecticut, the Raiders have looked pretty good, and while Merrimack got its first program win last weekend, I like a sweep. Colgate 2-1, 3-1
Brown at Maine
It’s a long bus ride up to for the Brown Bears to face the Black Bears. Expect the darker mascot to win. Maine 4-2, 3-1
Princeton at Mercyhurst
The Lakers haven’t gotten off to a good start, but these are the Tigers’ first games. Split. Mercyhurst 2-1, Princeton 3-1
RIT at Union
The Tigers have looked dreadful so far, while the Dutchwomen show improvement. Two ties wouldn’t surprise me. Union 2-1, RIT 3-2
Saturday, Oct. 24
Boston University at Northeastern
Who would have thought at the start of the year that the Huskies would be ranked and the Terriers wouldn’t? BU has a lot of talent, but Northeastern is scoring a lot, and BU hasn’t been good defensively. Northeastern 4-3
Vermont at Providence
The Catamounts get their first win. Vermont 3-2
Yale at Quinnipiac
The Bobcats have had the better of this rivalry of late, and I think that continues. Quinnipiac 4-2
Syracuse at St. Lawrence
Two teams I have a lot of trouble getting a handle on. St. Lawrence 4-3
Saturday-Sunday, Oct. 24-25
Connecticut at Penn State
The Huskies have been improved so far, but I’m going for the home ice sweep. Penn State 3-2, 4-2
Sunday, Oct. 25
Vermont at Boston University
The Terriers get back in the win column, but it’s close. Boston University 3-2
Providence at Northeastern
The Huskies stay hot, and probably put up a lot of goals. Northeastern 5-1
