Atlantic Hockey Picks Nov. 16-18

Last week: 8-3
On the season: 36-21-11 (.610)

This Week’s Picks:
Friday, Nov. 16 and Saturday, Nov. 17:
Mercyhurst at Rensselaer – The Engineers have played well against the AHA no matter what kind of season they are having. But the Lakers are on a four-game unbeaten streak and should be able to grind out a win. RPI wins Friday; Mercyhurst wins Saturday.

 

Friday, Nov. 16:
Bentley at American International – The Falcons took all three games in this series last season and should prevail again. Bentley wins.

Sacred Heart at Army – The Black Knights came down to earth last weeekend in a pair of losses to Niagara. I think they rebound here against a struggling SHU squad. Army wins.

Niagara at Canisius – This is the first of three “Battle of the Bridge” contests between the neighboring schools. The home team has won just once in the last seven games between Niagara and Canisius, and I think that trend will continue. It’s hard to pick against the Purple Eagles right now. Niagara wins.

 

Saturday, Nov. 17
Connecticut at Bentley – I’m going with the home team in what should be one of the most entertaining games of the weekend. Bentley wins.

Robert Morris at Niagara – This is a good “trap game” for Niagara coming off a rivalry game the night before and playing a rested RMU. But I still like the Purple Eagles here. Niagara wins.

American International at Sacred Heart – It’s hard to pick SHU to win these days, although if AIC does not play well it can certainly happen. AIC wins.

Army at Brown – Army Coach Brian Riley returns to his Alma Mater. Brown is winless in it’s last five but I think the Bears prevail at home. Brown wins.

 

Saturday, Nov. 17 and Sunday, Nov, 18
Rochester Institute of Technology at Holy Cross – RIT is 18-1-2 against the Crusaders since joining Atlantic Hockey, the only loss coming in Game One of a quarterfinal series in 2009. But Holy Cross is the stronger team right now, and I think the Crusaders pick up their first regular wins ever against RIT. Holy Cross sweeps.

Feel free to post your picks in the comments and follow me on Twitter at @chrislerch for updates throughout the weekend.