As we close on the end of the first half, I have a small lead on Nicole in our picks race, and last week gained another game. I went 22-6-3 (.758), while Nicole went 21-7-3 (.725). On the year, I am 176-62-37 (.707), while Nicole is 169-69-37 (.681).
Thursday, Dec. 7
Boston University at Yale
Candace: The Terriers are looking like a force again. Boston University 4-1
Nicole: Boston University should win this. Boston University 3-1
Friday, Dec. 8
Quinnipiac at Princeton
Candace: The Tigers have just been too inconsistent this season. Quinnipiac 2-1
Nicole: The Bobcats should take this. Quinnipiac 4-2
St. Lawrence at Rensselaer
Candace: The Engineers have been playing well, but I don’t see them beating the Saints. St. Lawrence 3-2
Nicole: Going out on a bit of a limb, but I think RPI is primed to pull an upset here, especially if they can keep it low scoring. Rensselaer 2-1
Clarkson at Union
Candace: Union is much improved, but Clarkson is the defending national champion for a reason. Clarkson 4-1
Nicole: Clarkson wins. Clarkson 5-1
New Hampshire at Connecticut
Candace: This is tough, because neither team is overwhelmingly consistent. New Hampshire 3-2
Nicole: New Hampshire wins. New Hampshire 3-1
Friday/Saturday, Dec. 8-9
Syracuse at Mercyhurst
Candace: There is no percentage in picking splits in the CHA. Mercyhurst 3-2, 3-2
Nicole: I think we’ll see a split here. Syracuse wins game one, Mercyhurst wins game two. Syracuse 3-1, Mercyhurst 3-2
Merrimack vs. Boston College (home-and-home)
Candace: Boston College is too deep for Merrimack to hang over a full game. Boston College 4-2, 5-2
Nicole: I think BC’s offense overwhelms Merrimack here. They sweep. Boston College 4-1, 4-1
Wisconsin at St. Cloud State
Candace: Hard to see anything other than the Badgers rolling. Wisconsin 3-1, 4-1
Nicole: The Badgers should sweep this series. Wisconsin 5-1, 4-1
Minnesota Duluth at Minnesota
Candace: It’s at Ridder, so anything goes, but I’m going on a limb and picking Minnesota to sweep. Minnesota 3-2, 3-2
Nicole: I think I have to pick a split here. Minnesota Duluth 3-2, Minnesota 4-2
RIT at Bemidji State
Candace: Bemidji may be prone to a letdown after beating Minnesota, but should have enough to get it done. Bemidji State 3-1, 3-2
Nicole: The Beavers should sweep at home. Bemidji State 3-1, 4-1
Lindenwood at Minnesota State
Candace: Lindenwood keeps surprising me, but I like the home team to sweep. Minnesota State 3-2, 3-2
Nicole: I’ll take a split here. Minnesota State 3-1, Lindenwood 2-1
Saturday, Dec. 9
Princeton at Quinnipiac
Candace: The Bobcats get the big weekend sweep. Quinnipiac 3-1
Nicole: Quinnipiac should be able to take the Tigers at home. Quinnipiac 3-1
Clarkson at Rensselaer
Candace: Clarkson is too strong for most ECAC teams. Clarkson 4-1
Nicole: Clarkson should win this one. Clarkson 4-2
St. Lawrence at Union
Candace: Again, while Union is better, it’s not enough. St. Lawrence 4-2
Nicole: The Saints win. St. Lawrence 4-0
Robert Morris at Colgate
Candace: The Colonials have shown they can hang with anybody, but I have to pick home ice. Colgate 3-2
Nicole: I see Colgate rolling in this one. Colgate 4-1
Boston University at Providence
Candace: I like what I have seen of Providence this season. This should be an outstanding game. It will come down to goaltending. Boston University 3-2
Nicole: The Terriers need pretty much every Hockey East point they can get. I’ll pick them here. Boston University 4-2
Maine at Vermont
Candace: Vermont is so streaky, but I like Maine to get a win. Maine 3-2
Nicole: I think is a tight one, but Maine pulls out the win. Maine 3-2
Sunday
Yale at New Hampshire
Candace: I still don’t have a handle on Yale, even at the break. New Hampshire 3-2
Nicole: UNH should handle this at home. New Hampshire 3-1
