Women’s D-I picks: Jan. 31

I gained one whole game on Arlan last week, going 18-5-3 while Arlan went 17-6-2. On the year, I am 205-70-34, while Arlan is 213-62-34. He’s still rocking it, and I’m still trying to come back.

Friday, Jan. 31

Yale at Cornell
Candace: Yes, I like Yale, and no, the Bulldogs can’t beat Cornell on the road. Cornell 5-1
Arlan: Some frustration has likely built up for the Big Red. Cornell 6-1

Harvard at Princeton
Candace: This will be closer than it should be, but Harvard should pull through. Harvard 3-2
Arlan: Picking the Crimson is likely walking through a minefield; one step will prove costly, but it’s hard to predict when. Harvard 2-1

Dartmouth at Quinnipiac
Candace: I’d like to give Dartmouth the benefit of the doubt, but can’t. Quinnipiac 2-1
Arlan: The Bobcats are rested, but they can’t look past Dartmouth in anticipation of Harvard. Quinnipiac 4-2

St. Lawrence at Rensselaer
Candace: Can the Saints get momentum off the Cornell tie? Something tells me yes. St. Lawrence 3-1
Arlan: RPI’s 13 losses are by a total of 22 goals, and it scored 18 times in those defeats. Reminds me of a John Greenleaf Whittier quotation my mom used to say, “Of all sad words of tongue or pen, the saddest are these: ‘It might have been.'” St. Lawrence 2-1

Mercyhurst at Syracuse
Candace: Syracuse has fallen off a bit since some big early season wins. Mercyhurst 3-2, 4-2
Arlan: Possible letdown for the Lakers after the RMU series, plus a quick Saturday turnaround; however, Syracuse never beats them. Mercyhurst 4-2, 2-1

Boston University home-and-home with Connecticut
Candace: Last week did not go as anticipated. I’ll guess home team for each. Connecticut 3-2, Boston University 4-2
Arlan: Will BU’s troubles end as January does? Sure, why not. Connecticut 4-3, Boston University 3-2

Minnesota-Duluth at Bemidji State
Candace: This could be a preview of the first round WCHA series. I think at least one game goes to overtime. Minnesota-Duluth 3-2, 2-1
Arlan: Better UMD teams than this one have had struggles in Bemidji. Minnesota-Duluth 4-0, Bemidji State 2-0

Ohio State at St. Cloud State
Candace: OSU is getting better, and should just hold off the Huskies. Ohio State 2-1, 2-1
Arlan: What’s the safer pick, hotter team or home ice? I’ll go with the former. Ohio State 1-0, 3-1

Minnesota at North Dakota
Candace: This will be a dogfight, even with the players UND is missing, but the Gophers should sweep. Minnesota 3-2, 3-1
Arlan: The Gophers are more used to playing in front of the big crowd they may see Friday than they are facing a ranked opponent; it’s been more than 10 weeks since the latter. Minnesota 3-2, 2-1

Saturday, Feb. 1

Yale at Colgate
Candace: Yale will need to bounce back after Saturday’s loss. Yale 3-2
Arlan: The role of spoiler is all that Colgate has left, and Yale looks ripe for the picking, but it’s hard to pick a team with two league wins. Yale 4-3

Dartmouth at Princeton
Candace: Do I dare pick the Big Green? Why not? Dartmouth 3-2
Arlan: How much improved is Dartmouth? Princeton 4-3

Harvard at Quinnipiac
Candace: This will be an interesting game, but I think Harvard will be on guard against a letdown that loses them the ECAC crown. Harvard 2-1
Arlan: The Bobcats must really want a win over Harvard, but the Crimson only lose to unranked teams. Harvard 1-0

Clarkson at Rensselaer
Candace: Again, this should probably be a close game, considering that RPI plays well when facing top teams, but I think the Engineers fall short. Clarkson 2-1
Arlan: I really feel like the Engineers are going to win this one for some reason, but Candace won’t give me odds or points or nothing. Clarkson 3-2

Providence at Boston College
Candace: BC takes another step toward its first Hockey East regular season title. Boston College 6-4
Arlan: It seems like I’m always predicting the same scores. Boston College 8-3

Vermont at Northeastern
Candace: This could go to OT, but ultimately I have to go with the home team. Northeastern 2-1
Arlan: The Huskies display renewed purpose. Northeastern 4-1

Sunday, Feb. 2

Vermont at Providence
Candace: Home ice seems to make a big difference for Providence. Providence 4-2
Arlan: Every time I pick Providence, the Friars lose, and I think Candace knows that, so I won’t pick them. Vermont 5-3

Tuesday, Feb. 4

St. Lawrence at Syracuse
Candace: St. Lawrence is 0-for-4 against CHA teams this season. Syracuse 2-1
Arlan: The Orange have as many wins as Cornell does. Syracuse 2-1

Boston University at Boston College (Beanpot)
Candace: I think BU will get up for this game in a big way, but fall short. Boston College 3-2
Arlan: If the Terriers aren’t out of their funk, then this could get ugly fast. Boston College 6-2

Northeastern at Harvard (Beanpot)
Candace: Again a squeaker, but Emerance Maschmeyer outduels Chloe Desjardins. Harvard 3-2
Arlan: It’ll come down to a Harvard bounce — or maybe even a shootout. Harvard 2-1