Last week:
Dan: 6-3-2
Chris: 7-2-2
On the season:
Dan: 39-32-12 (.542)
Chris: 45-26-12 (.614)
This Week’s Picks
Friday, November 24 and Saturday, November 25
Niagara at American International
Chris: This looks to be an exciting series between teams on the rise, although both are coming off setbacks. Niagara lost a heartbreaker at Cornell on Tuesday, while AIC returns home after getting swept at Robert Morris last weekend. I’m looking for the Purple Eagles to bounce back and come away with four points.
Dan: Niagara is for real, and it proved it on Tuesday by nearly knocking off Cornell. The Purple Eagles just couldn’t shut the door, which isn’t an indictment considering the Big Red have a case to be a No. 1 team. But I really like AIC, and I think this weekend is a good chance to bounce back from last week’s sweep. This is my candidate for weekend of the year, and I think the teams will split accordingly. AIC wins on Friday. Niagara wins on Saturday.
Canisius at Army West Point
Chris: The Golden Griffins have won four of their last five, while the Black Knights are struggling, winless in their last four. I’m thinking split here, with Canisius coming out on top on Friday, and and Army West Point winning on Saturday.
Dan: It’s hard to believe that Army is on a four-game slide, but it happens to every team at some point during the year. This could be a preview of coming attractions for Rochester in the spring. Canisius wins on Friday, Army WEst Point on Saturday.
Robert Morris at Bentley
Chris: Robert Morris seems to have righted the ship, registering an impressive sweep of AIC at home last weekend. Bentley continues to struggle, with just one win on the season so far. I’m picking RMU to record a road sweep.
Dan: Robert Morris historically struggles at the JAR, only winning once since joining Atlantic Hockey and holding a 1-4-1 record. That win came last year when the Colonials split with Bentley as part of the four-game set during the season. RMU’s been a little bit herky-jerky, so I think this weekend is dependent on if it plays more like it did in wins over Army, Holy Cross, Canisius and AIC (last week) than in losses to RIT. RMU sweeps.
Arizona State at Holy Cross
Chris: This is the first meeting between the schools, both of which are coming off loses, including Holy Cross dropping a game at Brown on Tuesday. I think the Crusaders will rebound on home ice and come away with a non-conference sweep.
Dan: I had the opportunity to watch Holy Cross on Tuesday, and I saw a team that just didn’t have its mojo on that night. I think that changes this weekend and the Crusaders bounce back with a sweep win.
Saturday November 25 and Sunday, November 26
Mercyhurst at Wisconsin
Chris: The Lakers have chalked up wins against Penn State and Ferris State, but I don’t think they’ll add the Badgers to the list. Wisconsin sweeps.
Dan: Madison is on the short list of my favorite cities to visit. Picking this series makes me long for a night hanging out at the Great Dane, appetizers and beverages at Ale Asylum, and the best steak I’ve ever had at Tornado. I’ve never been to Erie, so I apologize for a clear foodie bias. Wisconsin sweeps.
Air Force at Sacred Heart
Chris: The teams squared off four times last season, with the Falcons winning three times, including a sweep in Bridgeport. I think history repeats. Air Force sweeps.
Dan: Both of these teams badly need these points as we get down to the latter parts of the first half of the season. Air Force is the defending champion for a reason, and although I like Sacred Heart a lot, I’m going with my gut over my heart here. Air Force sweeps.
Saturday, November 25
Rochester Institute of Technology at Connecticut
Chris: The Tigers traditionally struggle in non-conference play…until they get to the NCAA tournament. I wouldn’t be surprised to see RIT win, but I don’t think it’s going to happen. UConn wins.
Dan: It’s ironic that I can name three restaurants off the top of my head for Madison, but I can’t name one place besides J. Timothy’s for wings in the Hartford area. UConn wins.
Tuesday, November 21
Bentley at Mass-Lowell
Chris: This is the fourth of five midweek games for Bentley. A win here could get the Falcons back on track, but I don’t think it’s going to happen. Lowell wins.
Dan: I think this game is really going to be dependent on the weekend. If Bentley has a strong showing against RMU, then I think they win this game. But since I picked an RMU sweep, I have to stay in line at least temporarily. UML wins.
