Last week:
Dan: 3-6
Chris: 2-7
On the season:
Dan: 92-80-24 (.531)
Chris: 100-72-24 (.571)
This Week’s Picks
Thursday, February 22
American International at Holy Cross
Chris: The teams played last Saturday in Springfield, with AIC coming out on top, 1-0. This is the Crusaders final game of the season, and therefore their last chance to lock up a first round bye. A win would sure help. I think that happens. Holy Cross wins.
Dan: An AIC win locks up a home series in Springfield for the first time ever. I know Eric Lang loves talking about small victories, but to be quite frank, that’s a very, very big deal. I’m all in with the Yellow Jackets, even though this means I only get three games at Bentley Arena. AIC wins.
Friday, February 23 and Sunday, February 24
Sacred Heart at Army West Point
Chris: Sacred Heart is still in the running for home ice in the first round, while the Black Knights remain in contention for a firs round bye. With so much to play for, I’m thinking split, with Army West Point winning on Friday and Sacred Heart coming back to win on Saturday.
Dan: I got a good look at Army West Point this past weekend. After seeing both the Black Knights and Sacred Heart, I can objectively state how this weekend is going to be nothing more than good, old-fashioned, smash-mouth hockey. PUT ON THE FOIL! Army West Point wins on Friday and Sacred Heart wins on Saturday.
Mercyhurst at Rochester Institute of Technology
Chris: These teams will play for second and third times in 12 days. They split their other two meetings this season, and I think the same will happen here. Mercyhurst wins on Friday; RIT wins on Saturday.
Dan: I think Mercyhurst locks up the league regular season title and gets that out of the way, gaining an opportunity to rest some guys up with an unexpected break in the action. Then again, probably not. Mercyhurst wins on Friday, RIT wins on Saturday.
Air Force at Robert Morris
Chris: This should be fun. The teams come in tied for sixth place, both looking to sweep to move up and grab a first-round bye. This one’s a coin toss, in my opinion. I think we’ll see a split, with RMU winning on Friday and Air Force on Saturday.
Dan: Whoever wins this series gets a bye. So nobody’s going to win this series. RMU wins on Friday, Air Force wins on Saturday.
Niagara vs. Canisius
Chris: Friday’s game is at HarborCenter and then the action moves to Dwyer Arena on Saturday. Just like last season, the Golden Griffins will need some help to win the regular season title. But I think they’ll do their part against a Niagara team that’s looking to rebound from a rough second half of the season. Canisius sweeps.
Dan: Niagara needs Holy Cross and Bentley to beat AIC, along with a split, to earn home ice that’s completely unexpected from our preseason predictions. I love that this rivalry is going to mean this much this week, but unfortunately for the Purps, I think they’re heading on the road. Canisius sweeps.
Saturday, February 24
American International at Bentley
Chris: This will be the third game played at Bentley’s new arena, and they sure would like to play at least a couple of postseason games there. They still may, but may need some help, as I think the Yellow Jackets win this one.
Dan: Bentley essentially needs an AIC loss to Holy Cross and a Canisius sweep – plus a win here – to earn home ice. Plus something with Sacred Heart most likely because #math. The best part? It’s all entirely plausible and a very real possibility based on what Atlantic Hockey teaches us. That said, based on my earlier prediction, that’s a moot point, even though I’m on record saying the race for home ice would boil down to this particular game. In any event, I think this is a preview of coming attractions. Bentley wins and forces a rematch next week in the postseason. Bentley wins.
