Atlantic Hockey Picks 11/26/10

Last Week: 4-5-2
On the Season: 32-25-5 (.556)

This Week’s Picks:

Thanksgiving weekend brings a mix of conference double-headers as well as two tournaments.

Friday, November 26 and Saturday, November 27
Niagara at Army – I think Niagara will learn from its letdown against Air Force and play hard against an always-tough Army team that is much better on home ice. Niagara 4, Army 3; Niagara 4, Army 2.

AIC at Mercyhurst – The Lakers are looking good recently, and I think they’ll dominate. Mercyhurst 5, AIC 2; Mercyhurst 4, AIC 2.

Sacred Heart at RIT – This is a rematch of last year’s AHA title game. Sacred Heart usually plays RIT tough at home, but has struggled in Rochester. RIT 4, Sacred Heart 3; RIT 4, Scared Heart 2.

Friday, November 26
Air Force vs. Clarkson – In a neutral ice game that’s part of the Denver Cup, like the Falcons to take this one over a struggling Clarkson squad. Air Force 3, Clarkson 2.

Connecticut at Rensselaer – RPI should avoid this “trap game” that’s the opener to their tournament. RPI 3, UConn 1.

Saturday, November 27
Providence at Holy Cross – I’m picking the Crusaders on home ice. Holy Cross 4, Providence 3.

Air Force at Denver – I’m taking the Pioneers on home ice. Denver 4, Air Force 2.

UAH/BGSU vs. Connecticut – Assuming I’m right about the first pick, this leaves the Huskies to play either Alabama-Huntsville or Bowling Green. I think UConn will beat either one.

Saturday, November 27 and Sunday, November 28
Canisius at Bentley – This is probably going to be a split between teams that have met 11 times over the past two seasons. I’m picking the Falcons to win on Friday and the Griffs on Saturday.

Guest Analyst

This week’s guest is RIT alum Dave Morgan. Here are his unvarnished picks:

Niagara @ Army
Army is struggling, Niagara is a solid team. You might see a close
period, but Niagara is going to dominate. They win Friday 6-3, Army
comes closer but still loses on Saturday 3-2.

American International @ Mercyhurst
AIC is going to drive into Erie at 1-7-0, and will leave 1-9-0. 3-1 on
Friday, 3-0 on Saturday.

Sacred Heart @ RIT
Teams that come to RIT usually lose. Sacred Heart has the best week to
dampen the “home team advantage” at Ritter with the holiday, but they
will still come up short. I wouldn’t be surprised if there was a tie,
but my official call is going to be 5-3 (ending with an ENG) on Friday
and 4-1 on Saturday.

Canisius @ Bentley
Bentley hasn’t lost yet at home, and I think that streak will end, but
I think they’ll end up splitting. Canisius will win on Saturday 4-2,
and Bentley will take it in 3-2 on Sunday.

Friday Games:
Air Force vs. Clarkson
In this non-conference game, I would normally bet on Clarkson, but if
Air Force shows up and plays hard, they can win it 4-3.

Connecticut @ Rensselaer
RPI is going to welcome Connecticut in being their first win of the
Holiday Tournament. RPI over UConn 6-2.

Saturday Games:
Providence @ Holy Cross
Holy Cross is gunna bring this one to overtime, and is gunna pull it
out against Providence. 3-2.

Air Force @ Denver
Air Force is going to try really, really hard to beat Denver, but
Denver won’t get the memo. Denver wins, 7-2.

UAH/BGSU vs. Connecticut
UConn is going to go into this game, and lose. Which team they play
will determine how bad. UAH, 3-2. BGSU, 4-1.

Check back on Monday to see how Dave and I did.