Nicole and I were tied last week, with each of us going 19-7-6 (.687), despite many games that we picked differently. On the year, I am now 277-104-45 (.703), while Nicole is 260-121-45 (.663). The season is coming down to the wire. I have a big, probably insurmountable lead, barring imminent collapse, in our season picks race.
Friday, Feb. 15
Yale at No. 9 Colgate
Candace: Have to go with the home team, especially since the Raiders are more consistent. Colgate 3-0
Nicole: I expect Colgate to win this one. Colgate 3-1
Brown at No. 6 Cornell
Candace: Cornell won’t overlook Brown again. Cornell 4-1
Nicole: The Big Red take a win. Cornell 4-2
No. 4 Clarkson at Dartmouth
Candace: As sure a thing as any this weekend. Clarkson 5-0
Nicole: Clarkson wins. Clarkson 5-1
St. Lawrence at Harvard
Candace: Perhaps home ice and Lindsay Reed equals a win? Harvard 3-2
Nicole: I’ll take St. Lawrence to win a close one. St. Lawrence 3-2
Union at No. 5 Princeton
Candace: This is also a sure thing. Princeton 5-1
Nicole: I think Princeton wins this one. Princeton 4-0
Rensselaer at Quinnipiac
Candace: As good as Lovisa Selander is, RPI’s moribund offense will be stifled by Quinnipiac’s tough defense. Quinnipiac 2-1
Nicole: I’ll take Quinnipiac at home. Quinnipiac 3-1
Maine at No. 8 Boston College
Candace: The Eagles should get the sweep after winning on Thursday. Boston College 4-2
Nicole: I’m very tempted to pick Maine to pull out a win, but I think I have to stick with BC and say they win. Boston College 3-2
Friday-Saturday, Feb. 15-16
Robert Morris at Lindenwood
Candace: I think the Colonials sweep and stay in control of the CHA. Robert Morris 3-1, 3-2
Nicole: I think these two will split. Robert Morris wins game one. Robert Morris 3-1, Lindenwood 3-2
Mercyhurst at Penn State
Candace: Probably a split, but Mercyhurst might come out extra focused. Mercyhurst 3-2, 3-2
Nicole: I expect a split here. Mercyhurst 2-0, Penn State 3-1
Syracuse at RIT
Candace: I think this is a split, but it’s tough to pick which night. I think Syracuse has a let down Friday after last weekend. RIT 2-1, Syracuse 2-1
Nicole: I think we’ll see a spate of splits in the CHA. RIT 2-1, Syracuse 2-0
Connecticut at Merrimack
Candace: It won’t be easy, but I like the Warriors to sweep. Merrimack 2-1, 3-1
Nicole: I’m going to give Merrimack the benefit and say they sweep at home here. Merrimack 3-1, 2-1
Holy Cross at Vermont
Candace: Vermont likely sweeps. Vermont 3-1, 3-1
Nicole: I think Vermont sweeps. Vermont 4-2, 3-1
No. 2 Wisconsin at Minnesota Duluth
Candace: While Duluth gives Minnesota fits, the Bulldogs aren’t as successful against the Badgers. Wisconsin 3-1, 3-2
Nicole: This definitely could be a split but they’re must-win games for the Badgers, so I’m picking them to sweep. Wisconsin 3-2, 4-2
Bemidji State at St. Cloud State
Candace: Have to think the Beavers have taken their game to another level. Bemidji State 3-2, 3-2
Nicole: The Beavers sweep. Bemidji State 2-0, 4-2
Minnesota State at No. 1 Minnesota
Candace: Minnesota should roll to a big sweep. Minnesota 4-1, 5-1
Nicole: Minnesota is also in a must-win situation, and they sweep. Minnesota 5-1, 4-0
Saturday, Feb. 16
Brown at No. 9 Colgate
Candace: Colgate inches closer to home ice for the ECAC tournament. Colgate 4-1
Nicole: I think the Raiders win this one. Colgate 4-0
Yale at No. 6 Cornell
Candace: I think the Big Red keep pace with Clarkson. Cornell 3-1
Nicole: I expect this to be closer than Cornell would like but they win. Cornell 4-3
St. Lawrence at Dartmouth
Candace: St. Lawrence should get the win here. St. Lawrence 3-1
Nicole: The Saints take a win. St. Lawrence 3-0
No. 4 Clarkson at Harvard
Candace: I think Clarkson will keep pace with Princeton in case the Tigers slip. Clarkson 3-1
Nicole: I’m taking a flyer and picking Harvard for the upset here. Harvard 1-0
Rensselaer at No. 5 Princeton
Candace: Lovisa Selander won’t make it easy, but Princeton stays on top. Princeton 2-1
Nicole: The Tigers win. Princeton 4-1
Union at Quinnipiac
Candace: Quinnipiac is a good defensive team. Quinnipiac 3-1
Nicole: I think Quinnipiac wins this one. Quinnipiac 4-1
Saturday-Sunday, Feb. 16-17
No. 3 Northeastern versus Providence (home-and-home)
Candace: Northeastern keeps winning close games, and I think they do again here. Northeastern 3-2, 3-2
Nicole: I think this one ends up as a split. Northeastern 3-1, Providence 2-1
New Hampshire versus No. 7 Boston University (home-and-home)
Candace: The Terriers should be on a huge momentum roll after claiming the Beanpot. I think they avoid the letdown. Boston University 4-1, 4-1
Nicole: I expect BU to sweep. Boston University 4-2, 2-0
