Women’s D-I picks: Nov. 29

Well, Arlan continues to pull away. I think I should concede. Last week, Arlan and I went 15-7-4 (.653), so I moved to 110-40-18 (.708), while Arlan moved to 117-33-18 (.750) on the year.

I have no idea how to catch him.

Friday, Nov. 29

Northeastern at Dartmouth
Candace: Dartmouth is home, but it has been inconsistent of late. Of course, Northeastern hasn’t exactly lit the world on fire either. Northeastern 2-1
Arlan: Kind of like when I don’t know how to spell a word, it looks wrong no matter how I type it. Dartmouth 4-3

Robert Morris at Maine
Candace: I feel more comfortable picking this than any other. What does that say? Robert Morris 3-1
Arlan: The Colonials’ offense has dried up of late, yet they’re unbeaten in the last six games. Robert Morris 2-1

RIT at Quinnipiac
Candace: Which streaky team prevails? I have to go with home ice. Quinnipiac 4-2
Arlan: The Bobcats have scored 11 goals in the last eight games and only twice in their current three-game winless streak. Quinnipiac 4-3

Connecticut versus Yale
Candace: Both squads have shown significant improvement this year, so I have no idea which to pick. Yale 3-2
Arlan: Watching Yale last weekend, the Bulldogs play better once they are several goals down. Connecticut 4-2

Friday-Saturday, Nov. 29-39

Wisconsin at Minnesota-Duluth
Candace: Defense beats offense, and most other defenses. Wisconsin 2-1, 3-1
Arlan: The Badgers haven’t done particularly well at AMSOIL, including failing to score on their most recent trip. Wisconsin 2-1, 2-1

Boston College at Cornell
Candace: I think this will be a split, but am not sure which team wins which game. Boston College 2-1, 2-1
Arlan: The Eagles really need one of these games so I expect a desperate effort; if so, which game do they win? Cornell 5-4, 2-1

Rensselaer at St. Cloud State
Candace: A good chance for the home squad to build momentum ahead of a big WCHA series. St. Cloud 2-1, 3-2
Arlan: Two teams coming off of emotional series versus “Bye.” St. Cloud State 2-1, 3-2

Saturday-Sunday, Nov. 30-Dec. 1

Princeton at Minnesota
Candace: Princeton is an improved team, but not enough to beat Minnesota. Minnesota 4-1, 4-1
Arlan: Minnesota has won its last 19 games against non-WCHA opponents. Minnesota 4-2, 3-1

Ohio State at New Hampshire
Candace: Sooner or later, Ohio State will start winning again, but for now, I’ll pick New Hampshire, even though every time I do, the Wildcats lose. New Hampshire 3-2, 2-1
Arlan: Some series scream, “split,” but this feels like a sweep one way or  the other. May I wait for the first result before picking the second? Ohio State 3-2, 2-1

Sunday, Dec. 1

Dartmouth at Harvard
Candace: I’m sure this will be a barnburner of a game, but I like the Crimson this year. Harvard 3-2
Arlan: You can throw records out the window in rivalry games; nonetheless, I’m just going to pick the better team. Harvard 4-2

Tuesday, Dec. 3

Boston University at Northeastern
Candace: Northeastern and BU played to overtime a month ago, but the Terriers have gotten better, while Northeastern has stayed the same. Boston University 3-2
Arlan: This went to OT last time, but I don’t really see signs that the Huskies have closed the gap. Boston University 4-2

Cornell at Syracuse
Candace: I’m not sure Syracuse is good enough to keep Cornell in check for long. Cornell 4-2
Arlan: A potential trap game for Cornell as it closes out 2013 after a much-anticipated series with BC. Cornell 3-2