Last Week: 8-4
On the Season: 69-36-19 (.633)
This Week’s Picks:
Friday, Jan. 4 and Saturday, Jan. 5
RIT at St. Lawrence – Both teams are going to rusty. The Tigers have been off for 23 days, the Saints 20. SLU has lost four straight but hasn’t ever lost to RIT at Appleton. I’d like to pick an SLU win and a tie, but I’ll go for a St. Lawrence sweep.
Sacred Heart at Colgate – The Raiders have lost just once in their last seven games; the Pioneers are still looking for their first victory of the season. I don’t think it happens here. Colgate sweeps.
Robert Morris at Army – The Colonials are coming off one of the biggest weekends in program history and have to be careful not to have a letdown against a surprising Army team that is always tough at home. I think RMU pulls out a pair of close, low-scoring games. Robert Morris sweeps.
Holy Cross at North Dakota – The Crusaders return to the site of their greatest victory, an overtime win over top seed Minnesota in the 2006 NCAA tournament in front of an appreciative Sioux fanbase. Holy Cross knocked off then-No. 15 Yale last weekend and faces the No. 7 team in North Dakota. I don’t think they will pull off the upset. North Dakota sweeps.
Penn State at Connecticut – This should be an entertaining series with the Nittany Lions squaring off in their 12th and 13th (and final) games against AHA competition. I’m thinking split. UConn Friday, Penn State Saturday.
Mercyhurst at Maine – This is the fourth trip to Maine in school history for the Lakers, who are 0-4-1 all-time against the Black Bears. Friday’s game will be played at the Cumberland County Civic Center in Portland and then the action shifts to Orono on Saturday. Maine has won just four games this season, but last weekend captured the Florida College Classic tournament. I think that gives the Black Bears some momentum and they’ll cash in at home. Maine sweeps.
Saturday, Jan. 5 and Sunday, Jan. 6
Bowling Green at Canisius – The Falcons defeated Niagara last weekend but I think Canisius gets at least a tie here. I’m going with a split. Canisius on Saturday; Bowling Green on Sunday.
Saturday, Jan. 5
Bentley at Northeastern – This is the Falcons’ fifth and final non-conference game, and they are 0-4 out of league so far. I’m calling for the upset here. Bentley wins.
Air Force at Niagara – Air Force comes East for just one game this weekend, but it’s a dandy. The Purple Eagles are unbeaten in their last 12 games at Dwyer Arena, and I think they keep that streak alive. Niagara wins.
Feel free to post your picks in the comments and follow me on Twitter at @chrislerch for updates throughout the weekend.
