Both Nicole and I had good weeks, as I went 21-8-2 No. .709 and Nicole went 20-9-2 No. .677. On the season so far, I have a narrow edge, as I am 38-11-5 No. .750, while Nicole is 35-14-5 No. .698.
The big series on tap this weekend pits arch-rivals Minnesota against Wisconsin in a huge WCHA battle.
Friday, Oct. 25
Harvard at No. 7 Cornell
Candace: Harvard will be in the hunt, but for now I like the Big Red at home. Cornell 3-2
Nicole: We don’t know much about either team at this point, so I’ll give Cornell the benefit of the doubt. Cornell 4-2
Dartmouth at No. 9 Colgate
Candace: Colgate has been very inconsistent, but should take this one. Colgate 3-1
Nicole: The Raiders win. Colgate 3-0
Yale at Princeton
Candace: Princeton looked solid last week, and is back at home. Princeton 3-1
Nicole: I liked what I saw from the Tigers last weekend. Princeton 4-1
Brown at Quinnipiac
Candace: Brown has gotten off to a good start, but Quinnipiac is stifling on defense. Quinnipiac 2-1
Nicole: Bobcats win at home. Quinnipiac 3-1
Vermont at Merrimack
Candace: Merrimack could really solidify its confidence this weekend. Merrimack 3-1
Nicole: I think you have to take Merrimack at home here. Merrimack 2-0
New Hampshire at Maine
Candace: Maine has been mostly solid. Maine 4-2
Nicole: This should be a Black Bears win. Maine 4-2
Providence at No. 8 Northeastern
Candace: Providence didn’t get off to quite the start I expected. Northeastern 3-1
Nicole: I’m excited to watch this one. I’ll give the Huskies the advantage at home. Northeastern 4-3
No. 6 Boston College at Holy Cross
Candace: What’s the over/under on a touchdown? Boston College 7-0
Nicole: BC takes this one. Boston College 6-0
Friday-Saturday, Oct. 26-27
Penn State at Mercyhurst
Candace: I still don’t have a good handle on either team. Mercyhurst 3-2, 3-2
Nicole: I’ll call this one a split, though both sides have the ability to sweep the other. Penn State 3-2, Mercyhurst 4-2
Lindenwood at Robert Morris
Candace: Robert Morris looked very good against Mercyhurst last weekend. Robert Morris 3-1, 3-1
Nicole: This should be a sweep for the Colonials at home. Robert Morris 3-1, 2-0
Minnesota State at Bemidji State
Candace: For now, I’m going with history and home ice. Bemidji State 2-1, 2-1
Nicole: I’m going to say Mankato sweeps this one. Minnesota State 2-0, 2-1
No. 5 Minnesota Duluth at St. Cloud State
Candace: Minnesota Duluth probably won’t lose to anyone except the teams above them in the standings. Minnesota Duluth 3-1, 3-1
Nicole: This should be a sweep for the Bulldogs. Minnesota Duluth 3-0, 3-1
RIT at Rensselaer
Candace: I think Rensselaer just might pull out the sweep, though the games will be low scoring. Rensselaer 2-1, 2-1
Nicole: I’ll call a split here. Rensselaer 1-0, RIT 3-2
No. 4 Ohio State at No. 10 St. Lawrence
Candace: Will both games go to OT, or did Clarkson end St. Lawrence’s extra-session obsession? Ohio State 3-2, St. Lawrence 3-2
Nicole: Another fun and interesting matchup. I’ll call a split here. Ohio State 4-2, St. Lawrence 2-1
Saturday, Oct. 27
No. 2 Clarkson at Syracuse
Candace: I don’t think the Golden Knights will let themselves be surprised again. Clarkson 4-1
Nicole: Clarkson wins. Clarkson 3-0
Harvard at No. 9 Colgate
Candace: I have to lean toward home ice. Colgate 3-1
Nicole: Colgate takes this one. Colgate 3-1
Dartmouth at No. 7 Cornell
Candace: Cornell should continue its strong start. Cornell 3-1
Nicole: Cornell gets their second win of the weekend. Cornell 4-1
Brown at Princeton
Candace: I’m leaning toward the Tigers. Princeton 3-1
Nicole: Princeton takes this one. Princeton 3-0
Yale at Quinnipiac
Candace: The battle of Connecticut is a toss-up. Quinnipiac 2-1
Nicole: Quinnipiac wins. Quinnipiac 2-1
Saturday-Sunday, Oct. 27-28
No. 3 Minnesota at No. 1 Wisconsin
Candace: Minnesota will likely get a win, but it’s hard to chose the right night. Wisconsin 4-2, Minnesota 3-2
Nicole: The Badgers are so darn good at home. I don’t think they’ll sweep the year like last year, but I think they sweep this weekend in Madison. Wisconsin 4-3, 4-2
Sunday, Oct. 28
Connecticut at Union
Candace: I like the Huskies to get back on track after the surprise loss to Brown. Connecticut 3-1
Nicole: UConn takes this one. Connecticut 3-1
No. 6 Boston College at Maine
Candace: The Eagles haven’t shown themselves to be the same as teams in recent years, but I have to pick them in Hockey East until they show more vulnerability. Boston College 3-2
Nicole: I’ll take a flier and pick Maine to eke this one out at home. Maine 4-3
Providence at New Hampshire
Candace: Two very evenly matched teams. I think home ice can be the difference. New Hampshire 3-2
Nicole: I’ll say Providence wins this one. Providence 4-2
No. 8 Northeastern at Boston University
Candace: Boston University may finish near the Hockey East cellar this year. Northeastern 3-1
Nicole: I think Northeastern keeps winning and takes this one. Northeastern 4-1
Tuesday, Oct. 30
No. 8 Northeastern at Vermont
Candace: The more I see of the Huskies, the more I like them. Northeastern 4-1
Nicole: Northeastern wins. Northeastern 3-1
