I picked up another three games on Nicole in our picks race last week, going 17-6-6, while Nicole went 14-9-6. On the year, I am 140-47-29 while Nicole is 132-55-29. We have some interesting games on tap this weekend, so let’s see what happens.

Friday, Nov. 24

Holy Cross at Dartmouth
Candace: The last time out, it was an exhibition and Dartmouth won in OT. I’m tempted to pick the Crusaders, but I think they may have a letdown after last weekend. Dartmouth 2-1
Nicole: I’m hyped on Holy Cross and loved what I heard from Coach Van Buskirk this week. I think they have what it takes to beat Dartmouth. Holy Cross 3-1

Nutmeg Classic

Penn State vs Connecticut
Candace: If the Nittany Lions had offense, they might be dangerous. Connecticut 3-1
Nicole: This should be a win for Connecticut 3-1.

Quinnipiac at Yale
Candace: This game hasn’t gone well for the Elis in recent years. Quinnipiac 2-1
Nicole: Quinnipiac has picked it up in recent weeks and I expect that to continue. Quinnipiac 2-0

Windjammer Classic

Colgate vs. Minnesota Duluth
Candace: The Raiders looks like one of the best teams in the country. Colgate 4-1
Nicole: Colgate should win this. Colgate 3-1

RIT vs. Vermont
Candace: Vermont should rebound from a disappointing weekend last time out. Vermont 3-1
Nicole: The Catamounts take this one. Vermont 2-0

Friday/Saturday, Nov. 24=25

Princeton at Merrimack
Candace: A tough series to pick. I’ll go with the Tigers to sweep. Princeton 2-1, 3-2
Nicole: I’ll take a split here. Merrimack 3-1, Princeton 2-1

Rensselaer at Mercyhurst
Candace: Rensselaer seems to get a lot of ties, but I like Mercyhurst to sweep. Mercyhurst 3-2, 3-2
Nicole: This one is likely also going to be a split. Mercyhurst 2-0, Rensselaer 1-0

Ohio State at Robert Morris
Candace: I’m tempted to pick a split, but Ohio State seems to be stronger to me. Ohio State 3-2, 3-2
Nicole: These are must-wins for Ohio State, in my opinion, but they’d go a long way in helping Robert Morris get respect. I’ll pick OSU to sweep behind a great weekend from Kassidy Sauve. Ohio State 3-1, 3-2

Maine at Union
Candace: The Black Bears have shown more consistency than the Dutchwomen. Maine 3-2, 3-1
Nicole: Maine should handle this weekend. Maine 4-1, 3-0

D-I in DC

Boston University vs. Minnesota State
Candace: The Terriers should get another big win. Boston University 3-1
Nicole: Even in a down year, BU should have the talent to beat Mankato. Boston University 3-1

Northeastern vs. Wisconsin
Candace: Northeastern just isn’t strong enough to take it to the top teams. Wisconsin 3-1
Nicole: The Badgers should take this. Wisconsin 4-2

Wisconsin vs. Boston University
Candace: Sooner or later, Wisconsin will lose. Probably not this weekend. Wisconsin 3-1
Nicole: I expect Wisconsin to win. Wisconsin 3-0.

Northeastern vs. Minnesota State
Candace: I think Northeastern gets out of the weekend with a win. Northeastern 3-1
Nicole: The Huskies should win this one. Northeastern 3-0

Saturday, Nov. 25

New Hampshire vs. Harvard
Candace: Harvard just seems to be in a down cycle. New Hampshire 3-1
Nicole: New Hampshire has the talent to take this one. New Hampshire 4-2

Connecticut vs. Quinnipiac
Candace: The Bobcats have shown some signs of life, so I’ll pick them. Quinnipiac 2-1
Nicole: I’ll take UConn to win. Connecticut 2-1

Yale vs. Penn State
Candace: Yale should have enough to win a tough game. Yale 2-1
Nicole: Yale 1-0

RIT vs. Colgate
Candace: I look for the Raiders to bounce back after a surprise loss. Colgate 3-1
Nicole: Colgate wins this one. Colgate 3-1

Vermont vs. Minnesota Duluth
Candace: Duluth showed a lot of good things against Colgate. Minnesota Duluth 3-1
Nicole: UMD wins the tournament. Minnesota Duluth 2-1

Saturday/Sunday, Nov. 25-26

Minnesota vs Lindenwood
Candace: Minnesota is back on track for the NCAA tournament. Minnesota 4-1, 4-1
Nicole: Gophers sweep. Minnesota 5-1, 4-1

Cornell at Providence
Candace: A tough series to pick. I’ll go for a sweep and hope I get one right. Providence 3-2, 3-2
Nicole: I have no idea how to pick this one, so I’ll hedge my bets and call a split. Cornell 3-2, Providence 4-3

Tuesday

Northeastern at BC
Candace: Northeastern has been inconsistent. BC has had a few hiccups, but looks strong. Boston College 5-2
Nicole: Boston College continues their HE dominance. Boston College 4-2

Brown at Boston University
Candace: The Terriers show signs of waking up. Boston University 3-1
Nicole: BU wins. Boston University 3-0

Plattsburgh Tournament

No matter the matchups, these games will be really entertaining to watch. Friday’s games are set, but Saturday’s games, which will match the winners of Friday’s games together and the losers together, will also be worth checking out.

No. 3 Elmira at No. 6 Middlebury
Middlebury has just two games under its belts this season, so it’s difficult to gauge how the Panthers will fare against Elmira, which is averaging more than seven goals scored per game and allowing just 0.40 goals on defense. With those numbers, it’s difficult for me to pick against them. Elmira 5-2

No. 4 Adrian at No. 2 Plattsburgh
I am tempted to pick Adrian here to avenge their national championship loss — these two teams are about as evenly matched on paper as two can be, from goals scored and allowed to goalkeepers. But Plattsburgh is at home, so I’ll give them the advantage, but this might be the most interesting women’s hockey game being played anywhere in the country this week, regardless of division. Plattsburgh 3-2

Those picks mean Plattsburgh will play Elmira and Adrian will play Middlebury on Saturday.

Elmira should give Plattsburgh as much as they can handle, just like Adrian did. It’s going to be the toughest weekend of games the Cardinals have played in a while. I’m going to pick an upset and pick Elmira to win. I basically think it’s unlikely Plattsburgh gets out of this weekend without a loss. Elmira 3-2

In the other game, I expect Adrian to take the third place spot with a 4-2 win.

No. 10 Hamilton at Utica
Hamilton moved into the rankings this week but suffered a loss to Morrisville on Tuesday. They’d like to avenge that with a win over the team that should be top three in the UCHC. Utica responded to a loss to Neumann with a win to split the series and came back strong with a win over Canton on Tuesday. Hamilton is just three games into the season and I think Utica’s experience might be the difference here. Utica 3-2

It’s light this week in the NCHC, as Colorado College and Denver are off. Let’s see how we do.

Friday-Saturday, Nov. 24-25

Miami at Bowling Green
Candace: Bowling Green has been playing well the last few weeks. Miami has been inconsistent. This is likely a split, though it’s really tough to guess the right nights. Bowling Green 3-2, Miami 3-2
Matthew: BGSU has been decent at home so far, so going there will be on easy task for Miami. Tough one to call, but I’ll go with a split. Miami 3-2, Bowling Green 4-2

Union at No. 3 North Dakota
Candace: North Dakota looked really good last weekend, and they are at home. North Dakota 4-2, 3-2
Matthew: Union has started really well in the ECAC, but I don’t know if they’ll be able to hang with the Fighting Hawks. I can see a split here but I’ll take UND for both. North Dakota 3-2, 3-2

Northern Michigan at Omaha
Candace: This is a tough series to pick. Omaha hasn’t shown consistency yet, and Northern Michigan is a pretty good team. The Mavericks are probably happy that they are at home for the net four weekends. Omaha 3-2, Northern Michigan 3-2
Matthew: UNO could use a pick-me-up here at home after having already played eight road games. League homer pick time. Sweep. Omaha 3-2, 4-2

No. 18 Colgate at No. 11 Western Michigan
Candace: See above about Western Michigan at Lawson. Western Michigan 4-2, 4-2
Matthew: Western’s been great home and Colgate’s had much better luck at home than on the road. Give me the Broncos. Western Michigan 3-1, 4-2

Saturday, Nov. 25

No. 8 Minnesota State at No. 15 Minnesota Duluth
Candace: I’m not convinced Minnesota State is as good as their ranking has them. I think Duluth will win at home. Minnesota Duluth 3-2
Matthew: UMD’s been up and down so far, but as the Bulldogs are getting better results lately in series openers, and it’s just the one game this weekend for them, and they’re at home … well, you get it. Minnesota Duluth 4-2