Last week: 5-5-1
On the season: 85-52-21 (.604)
This week, the third last in the regular season, features more intra-pod matchups with half the series using a home-and-home format.
Friday, February 11 and Saturday, February 12
Niagara at Air Force – Air Force won the earlier meeting, 7-4 at Niagara. The former CHA members have met 42 times before with Niagara holding a 27-12-3 edge, but Niagara has only one win in its last 12 games at the Academy. I’m expecting two high-scoring, back-and-forth games. Niagara 5, Air Force 4; Air Force 5, Niagara 4.
Bentley vs. American International – The teams tied back on Jan 11. AIC hosts on Friday with the action moving to Bentley on Saturday. I’m looking to Bentley to come up big. Bentley 3, AIC 1; Bentley 5, AIC 3.
Army at Holy Cross – Holy Cross can virtually lock up a bye with a sweep, while Army can put itself in solid contention if it can muster four points. I think both teams will have to settle for two. Army 3, Holy Cross 1; Holy Cross 4, Army 2.
Mercyhurst vs. Robert Morris – The Lakers are the only team to beat RMU at the Island Sports Center but I don’t think they’ll do it again. But I do think Mercyhurst wins the next night at home. RMU 4, Mercyhurst 3; Mercyhurst 3, RMU 2.
Friday, February 11 and Sunday, February 13
Canisius vs. RIT – RIT has won the last six meetings between the teams but I think a split is in order with the home team(s) winning. RIT 4, Canisius 2; Canisius 3, RIT 2.
Connecticut vs. Sacred Heart – I think Sacred Heart wins on Friday at home but UConn prevails on Sunday in an outdoor game played at Rentschler Field.
Guest Analyst
This week’s guest is Gary Bowles, who played for Mercyhurst from 1987-1991, the Lakers first seasons as a varsity program. Here are his picks, short and sweet:
“Friday night I like Air Force over Niagara, AIC over Bentley, Army over Holy Cross, RIT over Canisius, Sacred Heart over Connecticut and my alma mater Mercyhurst over Robert Morris.
“Saturday night I like Air Force over Niagara, Bentley over AIC, Holy Cross over army and once again Mercyhurst over Robert Morris.
“Sunday I like RIT over Canisius and Connecticut over Sacred Heart.”
Check back Monday and see how Gary and I did.
