Last Week:
Dan: 6-2-2
Chris: 6-2-2
On The Season:
Dan: 64-26-8 (.694)
Chris: 57-33-8 (.622)
This Week’s Picks
Friday, December 6 and Saturday, December 7
Canisius at American International
Chris: These are the Golden Griffins’ last games before Christmas, while the Yellow Jackets have three more. Canisius is probably better than its record shows – its last four losses have been by a combined five goals – but I’m going with the home team to sweep.
Dan: AIC is going to be smarting after that loss to Sacred Heart earlier this week, and combined with the travel east for Canisius, plus an early start to both games, I don’t see a clear, even, well-laid path to wins this weekend. So I’m going with the home team Yellow Jackets to sweep.
Bentley at Army West Point
Chris: The league’s preseason poll had the Falcons tied for third and the Black Knights eighth. The current standings show Army West Point tied for first and Bentley eighth. Army West Point sweeps.
Dan: The big joke a long time ago was that Bentley played better at Tate Rink, and Army played better at the JAR. That’s not a thing anymore, except for that first part. This is going to boil down to goaltending, with Fraser Kirk riding a hot hand for the Falcons against Trevin Kozlowski dominating for West Point. I honestly think both goalies find a way to get points for both teams. Split.
Mercyhurst at Rochester Institute of Technology
Chris: Both teams are struggling right now – each has just one win in their last six games. I think both will earn wins this weekend, albeit a single one. Split.
Dan: SOmething about this series smells like one of these games is going to overtime. I’ll even go so far as a shootout in a high-scoring, 4-4 type of game in one of them. Split.
Holy Cross at Air Force
Chris: Close games have been the rule here – 10 of their 34 meetings have ended in ties. So don’t be surprised if at least one of these needs extra time and maybe a shootout. But I’m going with an Air Force sweep.
Dan: Some really bad circumstances caught Holy Cross last week against Bentley, so a trip to Air Force is probably not one of the best things that could happen. Air Force sweep.
Saturday, December 7 and Sunday, December 8
Robert Morris at Sacred Heart
Chris: This is easily the best series of the weekend, a battle for first place between teams than have one loss each in their past seven games. Sweeps are tough, specially against a hot opponent, so I’m going with a split.
Dan: THis week proved that I’m all in with Sacred Heart, so I’m not going to pick against the Pioneers. But there’s a resiliency to Robert Morris, especially on the road. Don’t be shocked if Chris is right. SHU sweeps.
Tuesday, December 10
American International at Princeton
Chris: Princeton opened the season with a victory against a ranked St. Cloud team and hasn’t won since. I’m tempted to pick the Tigers to get one here on home ice, but I think The Yellow Jackets are the better team. AIC wins.
Dan: I remember watching Princeton at Brown in the playoffs and thinking that it was the last hurrah for a group of champions. The departures are really hurting the Tigers, and on Tuesday they host a returning group of veteran, older players with a pedigree and knack for winning these types of games. That’s a recipe for a road win for Atlantic Hockey. AIC wins.
