I bet big last week, and it worked out for me, as I opened up a sizeable lead in our season picks race. Whether I can hold it is another story. Last week, I went 19-2-6 (.814), moving to 73-28-14 (.695), while Nicole went 13-8-6 (.592), moving to 65-36-14 (.626).
Games start tonight, so let’s see how we do.
Thursday-Friday, Oct. 27-28
Penn State at RIT
Candace: Two teams with only one win each, but Penn State has looked better in its losses than RIT. Penn State 3-1, 3-2
Nicole: Penn State has tallied a ton of goals. That hasn’t translated to wins, but I think it gives them the advantage here. Penn State 3-1, 3-0
St. Cloud at Minnesota
Candace: St. Cloud might frustrate the Gophers a little, but Minnesota wins. Minnesota 4-1, 4-2
Nicole: Gophers sweep at home. Minnesota 3-1, 4-1
Friday, Oct. 28
Princeton at Brown
Candace: The Tigers impressed last weekend. Princeton 4-1
Nicole: Princeton 4-2
Harvard at Clarkson
Candace: North Country swings are always a tough see. Have to go with home ice. Clarkson 3-2
Nicole: Picking the home squad. Clarkson 3-1
Cornell at RPI
Candace: Cornell looked strong last week, and I see it continuing. Cornell 4-1
Nicole: Big Red move to 3-0. Cornell 3-0
Dartmouth at St. Lawrence
Candace: Dartmouth needs more miles before they can match the Saints. St. Lawrence 4-1
Nicole: The Saints continue their winning ways. St. Lawrence 4-1
Colgate at Union
Candace: Union got an emotional burst a few weeks ago, but it won’t be enough against the Raiders. Colgate 3-1
Nicole: Colgate stays hot. Colgate 4-2
Quinnipiac at Yale
Candace: The Bobcats have struggled the last couple of weeks, but I think they rebound. Quinnipiac 3-2
Nicole: Picking Quinnipiac’s experience since I don’t have a read on Yale yet. Quinnipiac 3-1
Merrimack at Northeastern
Candace: Merrimack will be a tough out, but the home team takes it. Northeastern 4-2
Nicole: Huskies have made a big comeback since the opening weekend. They take this. Northeastern 5-2
Maine at Providence
Candace: Maine might fall back to Earth after beating Boston College, but I have to take them. Maine 3-2
Nicole: I’ve liked what I’ve seen from the Black Bears so far, so picking them to win. Maine 2-0
Vermont at New Hampshire
Candace: A potential trap game, but I like the Catamounts. Vermont 3-1
Nicole: Catamounts are playing well. They win. Vermont 4-1
Friday-Saturday, Oct. 28-29
Mercyhurst at Robert Morris
Candace: I see a split, though who wins what night is tough. I’ll pick Mercyhurst to sweep and hope I get one right. Mercyhurst 2-1, 3-1
Nicole: Hard to pick a sweep here, despite RMU’s record. Picking a split. Robert Morris 3-1, Mercyhurst 2-1
Lindenwood at Syracuse
Candace: If Nicole Hensley was still in net, I might pick a split. Syracuse 3-2, 3-1
Nicole: Both teams are looking for their first win and I think they both get them this weekend. Syracuse 3-2, Lindenwood 2-1
Boston College at Connecticut (home-and-home)
Candace: Something tells me Boston College turned a corner last week. Boston College 3-2, 4-2
Nicole: Can’t pick against BC here. They sweep. Boston College 3-2, 2-1
Wisconsin at Minnesota State
Candace: The Badgers will continue the Mavericks’ WCHA futility. Wisconsin 3-1, 3-1
Nicole: Badgers should sweep. Wisconsin 6-1, 4-0
Minnesota-Duluth at Ohio State
Candace: I think the Bulldogs stay hot, but it will be tough. Minnesota-Duluth 3-2, 3-1
Nicole: Hard to pick against UMD, but Ohio State has foiled me a few times already, so I’ll pick a split. Minnesota-Duluth 3-1, Ohio State 3-2
Bemidji State vs. North Dakota (home-and-home)
Candace: I have to go with home ice for each team. North Dakota 3-2, Bemidji state 3-2
Nicole: Another split. Both teams have the ability to be great. North Dakota 4-2, Bemidji State 3-1
Saturday, Oct. 29
Quinnipiac at Brown
Candace: Quinnipiac continues to get back on track. Quinnipiac 4-2
Nicole: Bobcats take this one. Quinnipiac 4-1
Dartmouth at Clarkson
Candace: Clarkson just has too many weapons. Clarkson 3-1
Nicole: Clarkson 3-0
Colgate at RPI
Candace: Colgate’s rise continues. Colgate 3-1
Nicole: I don’t see Colgate faltering here. Colgate 4-1
Harvard at St. Lawrence
Candace: I wish I had more of a bead on Harvard, but they’ve only played one game so far, so … St. Lawrence 3-2
Nicole: Picking Harvard to upset here, since I’ve not really picked one yet and I have a feeling the Crimson might surprise some this season. Harvard 3-2
Cornell at Union
Candace: Cornell continues with the hot hand. Cornell 4-1
Nicole: I think Union isn’t done with big wins, so I just have to pick one every once in awhile. I’ll take them here. Union 3-2
Princeton at Yale
Candace: It’s hard to know much about Yale when the only games the Elis played were against RIT, but the same could be said for Princeton playing Providence. Princeton 3-2
Nicole: Picking the Tigers’ offense to take control of this one. Princeton 5-2
Providence at Merrimack
Candace: I’ve been impressed with the Warriors so far, and less than impressed with the Friars. Merrimack 3-2
Nicole: Going with the home team. Merrimack 2-1
Sunday, Oct. 30
Vermont at Maine
Candace: Maine is bound for a letdown. I’m going with the visitors. Vermont 3-2
Nicole: This should be a good game. When in doubt, I pick the home team. Maine 3-2
Tuesday, Nov. 1
Cornell at Colgate
Candace: This will be a huge test for the Raiders, because Cornell is to me looking like a Big Red team of old. Colgate 3-2
Nicole: Picking the ranked team. Colgate. 2-1
