College Hockey:

Women’s picks: Dec. 8

Well, aside from getting splits on the wrong days, I did pretty well last week, going 13-3-2 (.777), to move to 89-29-11 (.732) on the year. Arlan went 12-4-2 (.722) to move to 86-32-11 (.709). We’re closing in on the end of the first half of the season, so let’s see how we can do this week.

Thursday, December 8

Harvard at Providence
Candace: The Crimson broke a three-game losing streak last week by beating Dartmouth. I don’t see them falling here, but it will be a close one. Harvard 3-2
Arlan: Did the Crimson discover something in Hanover that will serve them well in Providence? Harvard 2-1

Friday-Saturday, December 9-10

Quinnipiac vs. Princeton
Candace: This home-and-home provides a potential pitfall for the Bobcats. I think Princeton might have enough to pull off a home win, but for now, I’ll go with the Bobcats, who have been playing well lately. Quinnipiac 2-1, 3-2
Arlan: In nature, Tigers are mightier than Bobcats, but I don’t think that applies in the ECAC. Quinnipiac 3-1, 2-1

Wisconsin at Bemidi State
Candace: What I said a few weeks ago about always picking Wisconsin still applies. Wisconsin 3-0, 4-1
Arlan: I don’t think the Beavers get swept, but win or tie, first or second game? Too many variables, so I’ll be boring and get at least one right. Wisconsin 3-2, 4-1

Mercyhurst at Boston College
Candace: Mercyhurst served notice last week by splitting with Cornell. This has split written all over it to me. Hopefully I’ll get the nights right. Mercyhurst 4-2, Boston College 3-1
Arlan: If the Eagles get strong goaltending, then this result could be a complete opposite. Mercyhurst 5-3, 4-3

Friday, December 9

New Hampshire at Harvard
Candace: Harvard ends the first half on a strong note. Harvard 3-1
Arlan: The road hasn’t been too kind to UNH of late. Harvard 4-2

Saturday-Sunday, December 10-11

Ohio State at Minnesota
Candace: I thought the Buckeyes might be moving toward pushing upper-echelon WCHA teams, until they tied Niagara last week. Plus the Gophers are dominant at home. Minnesota 4-1, 4-0
Arlan: Ohio State has lost 17 straight to the Gophers. That will end at some point.  Minnesota 3-2, 4-1

Minnesota-Duluth at North Dakota
Candace: I’ve generally gotten Sioux split dates right. Hopefully that still applies. Minnesota-Duluth 3-1, North Dakota 2-1
Arlan: My upset special. Two evenly-matched teams, but I think UND’s goaltending is less consistent. Minnesota-Duluth 5-4, 4-2

Clarkson at Niagara
Candace: Niagara might have enough to get one tie against Clarkson, but there’s no percentage in picking a tie. Clarkson 3-1, 2-0
Arlan: In case you haven’t noticed, I’m running my own private Sweeps Week here, otherwise, I’d give Niagara some love. Clarkson 3-2, 3-2

Sunday, December 11

Dartmouth at New Hampshire
Candace: I’m guessing that the Big Green really want revenge for losing the earlier in-state match-up. Dartmouth 2-1
Arlan: I’m probably giving the Wildcats’ win at Dartmouth more emphasis than it deserves. New Hampshire 3-2