Atlantic Hockey Picks, November 17-21

Last week:

Dan: 5-5-1
Chris: 5-5-1

On the season:

Dan: 33-29-10 (.528)
Chris: 38-24-10 (.597)

This Week’s Picks

Friday, November 17 and Saturday, November 18
Rochester Institute of Technology at Air Force
Chris: I’ve done a lousy job picking RIT results so far, and this series doesn’t make it any easier. Air Force is off to an uncharacteristically slow start, while the Tigers, who are playing well, have historically struggled in Colorado Springs. I guess a split is in order, with Air Force winning Friday and RIT on Saturday.
Dan: The New England Patriots practiced this week at the Air Force Academy. I can’t pick against the very presence of the GOAT Tom Brady. Air Force sweeps.

Holy Cross at Army West Point
Chris: Army has been the dominant team in recent matchups with the Crusaders, unbeaten in its last 10 meetings with Holy Cross. I’m going with the Black Knights to win two close contests. Army West Point Sweeps.
Dan: Last week’s split against Niagara was more of an indication that the Purple Eagles are for real. It was in no way a knock against the Black Knights. I think they rally this weekend at home. Army West Point sweeps.

Bentley at Canisius
Chris: This has become a nice rivalry between the schools, thanks to wild playoff series in 2013 and 2014. This could be the weekend Bentley shakes off the doldrums and gets going on offense, but I don’t think so against the Golden Griffins, who are 6-0-2 against Bentley in recent meetings. Canisius sweeps.
Dan: Bentley hasn’t won at Canisius since January 13, 2014. That comes despite having played in Buffalo every year except for one in that same time period. The good news is that the Falcons are seldom swept, but I think they need one more weekend before turning it around. Canisius sweeps.

American International at Robert Morris
Chris: I wouldn’t be shocked if AIC pulls off another sweep, but RMU, which has just one win in its last seven games, is looking to turn things around at home. I think the Colonials will rise to the occasion. Robert Morris sweeps.
Dan: There’s a part of me that wants to pick Robert Morris because it makes sense here as the logical choice. The Yellow Jackets only have one win in their last 10 tries or so against the Colonials. But I’m buying in on AIC this year, and I’m going to ride this wave with them. RMU wins on Friday. AIC wins on Saturday.

Tuesday, November 21
Army West Point at Sacred Heart
Chris: This is a tossup game for me. I’d go with the Black Knights if this game were in West Point, but…my gut says go with them anyway. Army West Point wins.
Dan: I guarantee traffic is going to be a nightmare getting in and out of Bridgeport on the Tuesday before Thanksgiving. Army West Point wins.

Holy Cross at Brown
Chris: The Crusaders are 1-1 against the ECAC so far, beating Dartmouth and falling to Princeton. I think they help out the league’s non-conference record with a road win over the Bears.
Dan: Holy Cross has beaten Brown each of the last three years, but I think the Bears break that streak and pick up the non-conference win. Brown wins.

Niagara at Cornell
Chris: As vastly improved as Niagara has been this season, the undefeated Big Red are scary good. This could be a letdown game for Cornell after a wild win over rival Harvard last weekend, but I don’t think so. Cornell wins.
Dan: People are making a very good case that Cornell might be the best team in the nation. Cornell wins.