Last week:
Dan: 4-4-3
Chris: 4-4-3
On the season:
Dan: 65-50-18 (.556)
Chris: 72-43-18 (.609)
This Week’s Picks
Friday, January 12 and Saturday, January 13
Bentley at Army West Point
Chris: It’s that time of the season to start looking at the standings, and Bentley sits in ninth place, four points behind Army West Point, which occupies sixth. The Black Knights have two more wins than the Falcons, but Bentley has two games in hand. That means it’s a nice chance for the Falcons to move up. Unfortunately, I think Army West Point will use this opportunity to pull further away. Army West Point sweeps.
Dan: Bentley historically plays well at Tate Rink, but I think Army West Point needs to right the ship. The Black Knights have been inconsistent as of late, and I think they’re too good not to be higher in the standings. Army West Point sweeps.
Niagara at Mercyhurst
Chris: I’m looking for Niagara to bounce back from Tuesday’s loss to Robert Morris and earn a split here. I’m picking Niagara to win on Friday and Mercyhurst to win on Saturday.
Dan: See above. Niagara wins on Friday. Mercyhurst on Saturday.
Air Force at Rochester Institute of Technology
Chris: Air Force and RIT have combined to win 9 of the last 11 AHC titles, including the last three. This season finds both struggling with inconsistency. For that reason, I’m going with a split. Air Force wins on Friday, RIT wins on Saturday.
Dan: After not coming to Rochester for a regular season series since 2014, this is the second straight year of Air Force coming east in some capacity. I’m going with the home team in a tight series. RIT sweeps.
Holy Cross vs. Sacred Heart
Chris: Friday’s game is in Bridgeport, with Holy Cross hosting on Saturday. The teams played just two weeks ago, with Holy Cross taking three points. The Crusaders are coming off a tough weekend against AIC, and I think they’ll rebound here. Holy Cross sweeps.
Dan: The difference here will be home ice. The Crusaders are 4-2-5, including 3-1-4 in league play, at the Hart Center. I don’t think they’ll lose in Bridgeport, for what it’s worth, but I can’t pick ties. Holy Cross sweeps.
American International at Canisius
Chris: I’m really tempted to pick AIC to take at least two points here, but Canisius is coming off a brutal stretch of tough non-conference games, and I like the Golden Griffins to bounce back at home. Canisius sweeps.
Dan: When everyone else wants to jump on the AIC bandwagon, I’ll be right there wearing a conductor’s hat. Canisius wins on Friday, AIC wins on Saturday.
Tuesday, January 16
Sacred Heart at Bentley
Chris: The teams will play on consecutive Tuesdays at Bentley. This time, I like the home team. Bentley wins.
Dan: Sacred Heart’s style of play cramped Bentley at the JAR last Tuesday. I don’t think it happens again. Bentley wins.
Rochester Institute of Technology at Mercyhurst
Chris: Two weeks ago, five feet of snow in Erie caused the cancellation of a weekend series between the Lakers and Tigers. They’ll make up the games with this contest and another scheduled for Feb. 12.RIT has traditionally played well at the MIC, and I think they’ll take this one. RIT wins.
Dan: This game should just be played out on a barge in the middle of the Great Lakes. For what it’s worth, that’s probably where the Mercyhurst Ice Center will be after the snow melts from freezing rain and whatever else can hit WNY this week. RIT wins.
