I put some distance between me and Nicole in our annual picks contest last weekend. I went 16-7-1, while Nicole went 10-13-1. On the year, I am 43-15-8, while Nicole is 37-21-8.Friday, Oct. 20Dartmouth at HarvardCandace: I have to go with home ice, and figure Harvard will shake off last year’s awful season. Harvard 3-1Nicole: Harvard should be able to take this, but I’m definitely interested to see what the Crimson look like this season. I’ll say Harvard until we have more information. Harvard 2-0Boston University at MaineCandace: I figure at some point BU will finally get untracked, and here is as good as anyplace. Boston University 3-2Nicole: I’m picking Maine at home here. Maine 3-1Boston College at ConnecticutCandace: The Eagles have started strong. Boston College 4-1Nicole: I expect this to be a win for BC. Boston College 4-1New Hampshire at VermontCandace: I’ve liked what I’ve seen from the Wildcats so far. New Hampshire 3-2Nicole: I think Vermont gets things a bit back on track with a win here. Vermont 3-0Friday-Saturday, Oct. 20-21Ohio State at St. Cloud StateCandace: Ohio State keeps rolling. Ohio State 3-1, 3-1Nicole: Buckeyes should sweep. Ohio State 4-1, 2-0Minnesota at Minnesota-DuluthCandace: The hardest series to pick on the weekend. Neither team has looked stellar so far. I’ll call the Gophers to sweep and hope I get one game right. Minnesota 3-2, 3-2Nicole: It’s a bit difficult to know how these two will match up right now, so I’ll call a split. Both teams will be gunning for each other and have their own reasons to want the wins. Minnesota-Duluth 2-1, Minnesota 4-2Bemidji State at WisconsinCandace: Wisconsin hasn’t looked pretty, but they’ve been getting things done. Wisconsin 3-1Nicole: Badgers should sweep. Wisconsin 4-2, 4-1Robert Morris at BrownCandace: The Colonials haven’t looked consistent so far, but as this is Brown’s opening series, I’ll give the edge to the visitors. Robert Morris 3-1, 3-2Nicole: Robert Morris sweeps. Robert Morris 2-0, 4-1Mercyhurst at ColgateCandace: Mercyhurst might make one game interesting. Colgate 4-1, 3-2Nicole: The way Colgate has looked, I expect them to sweep at home. Colgate 5-2, 5-1Penn State at MerrimackCandace: Merrimack has been inconsistent, but the Warriors can score more. Merrimack 3-2, 3-1Nicole: I expected a bit more from Penn State thus far and Merrimack continues to grow. I’ll take the Warriors to sweep. Merrimack 3-2, 1-0Providence at PrincetonCandace: Can the Tigers overcome the hurdle of the new coach? Sure, why not. Princeton 2-1, 3-2Nicole: Without seeing the Tigers yet, I’ll pick a split. Providence 3-0, Princeton 2-0Yale at RITCandace: I like the Elis to get a sweep here, especially after RIT couldn’t put a dent in Rensselaer last weekend. Yale 3-1, 3-1Nicole: I’m taking the experience of Yale’s upperclassmen to sweep here. Yale 2-1, 3-2Clarkson vs. St. Lawrence (home-and-home)Candace: St. Lawrence has been inconsistent, but that rarely matters when the two rivals meet. Goaltending makes the difference. Clarkson 3-2, 4-2Nicole: I’m not sure I’ve ever picked a tie in these picks, but I’m doing it here. Clarkson appears to be the better team this year, but that rarely matters when these rivals meet up. I’ll call a tie in the first game and a Clarkson win in the second. Tie, 2-2, Clarkson 4-2Northeastern at SyracuseCandace: Syracuse might steal a win, but I think Northeastern does get the sweep. Northeastern 3-1, 3-2Nicole: The Huskies should bounce back with a sweep. Northeastern 2-1, 4-2Sunday, Oct. 22Connecticut at Boston UniversityCandace: I like the Terriers to get some traction out of this weekend. Boston University 3-1Nicole: BU should be able to win this one at home. Boston University 3-1Boston College at VermontCandace: Unlike Nicole, I haven’t been that impressed by Vermont so far. Boston College 4-1Nicole: Picking BC, but thinking the Catamounts have it in them to really push the Eagles. Boston College 4-3Dartmouth at New HampshireCandace: It’s early, so perhaps Dartmouth will get better, but it won’t matter here. New Hampshire 3-1Nicole: New Hampshire wins the in-state battle. New Hampshire 3-2WednesdayNew Hampshire at NortheasternCandace: I like the Huskies at home. Northeastern 4-2Nicole: Northeastern wins. Northeastern 3-1
