Last week:
Dan: 5-4-2
Chris: 7-2-2
On the season:
Dan: 88-59-24 (.585)
Chris: 95-52-24 (.626)
This Week’s Picks:
Friday, January 27 and Saturday, January 28
Army West Point at Air Force
Dan: The more games we can have between these teams the better. After winning six in a row, Air Force is now 1-1-2 in their last two weekends. Meanwhile, Army West Point is starting to pick up steam, having won three in a row. Yes, one was an exhibition against Canada’s RMC, but that’s an indication they’re turning it around. Still, Air Force seldom loses at home. I like this as a matchup in the postseason at some point – even in Rochester. Air Force sweeps.
Chris: This season marks the first time that the service Academies meet four times in the regular season. They split back in November at West Point. I think we’ll have a split again with Air Force winning on Friday and Army West Point getting the victory on Saturday.
Canisius at American International
Dan: Canisius is the team that’s apparently coming on the second half of the year, except it’s put them in first place. They’ll take on an AIC team that is in the midst of a race for home ice that likely comes down to the last weekend of the season. Points severely at a premium for both teams, but they both can avoid a mini hiccup if it happens. It just can’t happen again. Canisius sweeps.
Chris: Canisius is 6-1-2 in its last nine conference games, vaulting into a first place tie with Air Force. When the dust settles Saturday night, the Golden Griffins could be all alone at the top. I think they’ll do their part and sweep.
Robert Morris at Holy Cross
Dan: See below. I agree with everything Chris says. RMU sweeps.
Chris: The Colonials are also on a hot streak, winning five of their last six. The Crusader’ last four games have gone to overtime, resulting in a loss and three ties. Holy Cross will have the home ice advantage, and the Crusaders have been a much better team at the Hart Center than on the road. Still, I’m going with Robert Morris to come away with two low-scoring wins. RMU sweeps.
Niagara vs. Mercyhurst
Dan: Niagara is turning into the team that we probably won’t pick but is capable of taking a game against anyone. Mercyhurst’s herky-jerky nature this year makes them ripe for points this weekend for the Purple Eagles. Look for it to happen, if it does, on Saturday. That said, I refer back to my opening statement; I look forward to being wrong. Mercyhurst sweeps.
Chris: Niagara is struggling right now, while Mercyhurst continues to be consistently inconsistent. The Lakers have put together two consecutive wins just once this season, but have only been swept once so far. Mercyhurst will host on Friday and Niagara on Saturday, and with Dwyer Arena no longer a house of horrors for visiting teams, I’m picking a Lakers sweep.
Bentley at Rochester Institute of Technology
Dan: Lerch-Rubin II, Electric Boogaloo. I like the way Bentley is playing lately, and I like their chances against an RIT team that is really up against it with the injury bug. This is honestly a solid rivalry, and, like Chris mentions, Bentley’s played well in Rochester. I like the Falcons this weekend, so all the RIT fans can call me a “homah.” Bentley sweeps.
Chris: The Tigers swept the Falcons at the JAR earlier this season, but RIT is banged up to the point that it couldn’t dress the full allotment of skaters last weekend. Bentley always plays well in Rochester going back to the Ritter Arena days, so I’m looking for that trend to continue with a Falcons sweep.
Tuesday, January 31
Canisius at Niagara
Dan: See below again. I’m in agreement with Chris. Canisius wins.
Chris: Canisius defeated Niagara 4-1 at HARBORCENTER on Tuesday, the first of four meetings between these “Battle of the Bridge” rivals over the final weeks of the regular season. The Purple Eagles host this time, but I think the result will be the same. Canisius wins.
