Last week, Arlan and I were even, both going 14-4-4 (.727). On the year, I am 126-39-22 (.732) while Arlan is 122-43-22 (.711). I’m holding on to a slim lead.
Friday, Nov. 28
Harvard at Boston College
Candace: It could be close, or not. Boston College 4-1
Arlan: My question regarding Harvard is not if it will start to play better, only when. Boston College 3-1
Ohio State at Robert Morris
Candace: Colonials games are torture to pick. Ohio State 3-2
Arlan: Likely a close game, but I think the Buckeyes avenge last year’s loss. Ohio State 2-1
Clarkson at Connecticut
Candace: The Golden Knights look to rebound. Clarkson 5-2
Arlan: The Nutmeg teams would get more trophies if they invited a softer fourth. Clarkson 3-0
Quinnipiac vs. Yale
Candace: I want to pick Yale, but can’t bring myself to. Quinnipiac 4-2
Arlan: Interesting measuring stick for the Bobcats, as Yale played BC three days before. Quinnipiac 3-1
Friday-Saturday, Nov. 28-29
Minnesota-Duluth at Bemidji State
Candace: I really don’t want to pick this one. Since I have no idea who will win on what night, I’ll call a sweep. Minnesota-Duluth 3-2, 4-2
Arlan: One of the most important series remaining in 2014. Bemidji State 1-0, Minnesota-Duluth 3-1
RIT at Rennselaer
Candace: I don’t think the Engineers have enough weapons to hurt the Tigers. RIT 3-1, 3-2
Arlan: I don’t remember a season where the availability of key players was in question so often. Will Ali Binnington play? RIT 2-1, 2-1
Wisconsin at New Hampshire
Candace: Will the Badgers go for a BC-like beatdown? Wisconsin 4-1, 5-0
Arlan: Since thumping Vermont, the Wildcats have been outscored 21-2 in three games versus Boston schools. Wisconsin 6-1, 4-0
Providence vs. Brown home-and-home
Candace: The Friars have shown signs of life, as have the Bears. I like home ice in each. Brown 3-2, Providence 2-1
Arlan: After a dreadful start, the Friars have rebounded with a 2-2-2 stretch. Brown 4-2, Providence 5-4
Saturday, Nov. 29
Boston University at Dartmouth
Candace: The Big Green seem to have come back to reality. Boston University 5-2
Arlan: Dartmouth scored 19 goals in its four wins, but only tallied once in dropping the last two. Boston University 4-2
Harvard at Northeastern
Candace: I don’t think Vermont is quite the caliber that the Crimson are. Harvard 4-2
Arlan: Would have expected these teams to be better than one game over .500 combined. Harvard 3-2
Saturday-Sunday, Nov. 29-30
Maine at Vermont
Candace: Vermont looked awful against Northeastern, but I still think the Catamounts have it. Vermont 3-2, 4-2
Arlan: Maine is a puzzle; in two-game series, it held Mercyhurst to three goals and Qunnipiac to six, but Brown scored 10. Vermont is suddenly a mess defensively, yielding 30 goals over its last six — while strangely holding BC to four. Vermont 3-2, 2-0
St. Cloud State at North Dakota
Candace: While the Huskies are getting better and UND is in a funk, home ice equals a sweep. North Dakota 3-1, 4-1
Arlan: The Huskies’ play is improving, but they’ve been blanked in four straight games. North Dakota 3-0, 2-1
Minnesota at Princeton
Candace: 12-1-2 has people wondering what’s wrong with the Gophers; shows you how amazing they’ve been. Minnesota 4-1, 4-0
Arlan: Switching venues should make the results closer than last year’s 15-1 combined result. Minnesota 4-1, 3-0
Monday, Dec. 1
Mercyhurst at Cornell
Candace: I would have picked up more games on Arlan if I had picked Mercyhurst earlier; why not now? Mercyhurst 3-2
Arlan: Though the record may not show it, I think this is the best team the Lakers have seen thus far. Cornell 2-1
Tuesday, Dec. 2
Dartmouth at Harvard
Candace: This should be close, but I think home ice prevails. Harvard 4-2
Arlan: Pivotal conference points for both clubs. Harvard 4-3
