Last week:
Dan: 7-4-1
Chris: 8-3-1
On the season:
Dan: 43-19-5 (.679)
Chris: 47-15-5 (.739)
This Week’s Picks:
Thursday, November 12 and Friday, November 13
Holy Cross at Air Force
Dan: If there’s a team that can give Air Force a run in Colorado, it’s going to be the Crusaders. Averaging just over three goals per game, don’t sleep on them lighting the lamp and making the Falcons’ life tough. These games could be high scoring, and if that’s the case, the Crusaders will win at least one. Air Force wins on Thursday. Holy Cross wins on Friday.
Chris: The Falcons will be playing just their second and third home games of the season, coming off a seven-game roadtrip. These teams have gone to overtime 11 times in 24 meetings since AFA joined the AHC in 2006. I’m going with an Air Force sweep in a pair of close games.
Friday, November 13 and Saturday, November 14
Bentley at Rochester Institute of Technology
Dan: Bentley hasn’t made a trip to Rochester since the 2012-2013 season when they split with the Tigers a year after their epic three game playoff series, and they’re just 4-9-2 at RIT since the Tigers elevated to Division I. But Bentley has the capability to play any type of game, and I think they’re going to win at least one. Side note: by going on vacation this weekend and into next week, I found yet another reason to miss the trip to Rochester. Chris will find a way to hold this over me when the Tigers come east later in the year. Bentley wins on Friday; RIT on Saturday.
Chris: The Tigers return home after taking seven of eight possible points on the road against teams near the bottom of the standings. This will be a tougher test against a Bentley team that is slightly ahead of RIT team in both offense (fourth in the league vs. fifth) and defense (third in the league vs. fourth). I’m going with a split. Bentley wins Friday; RIT on Saturday.
Canisius at Ohio State
Dan: Ohio State enters this game at 1-7 after splitting with Mercyhurst last week. Saturday’s game is around 4 PM, right after THE Ohio State University Buckeyes take on Illinois on the road in football. Always one for the bold pick, I’m using that for some whiz-bang analysis and picking the Griffs with the shocking sweep. Canisius sweeps.
Chris: Another AHC vs. Big 10 matchup (more to come). It’s a homecoming of sorts for Golden Griffins coach Dave Smith, who played his college hockey for OSU. (Sorry, THE OSU). The teams meet for the third year in a row, with the Buckeyes leading the all-time series 3-0-1. I expect that streak to continue. Ohio State sweeps.
Sacred Heart at Penn State
Dan: Penn State’s +12 against Atlantic Hockey this year in picking up three wins. I think that comes to a crashing halt this weekend in at least one of the games. After talking with Sacred Heart head coach CJ Marottolo this week, I think they’re the right team at the right time to pick up a win out in Hockey Valley. Sacred Heart wins on Friday. Penn State wins on Saturday.
Chris: Penn State faces off against its fourth AHC opponent so far this season. The Nittany Lions are 3-0-1 so far against teams from Atlantic Hockey, and I look for that trend to continue, especially on home ice. Penn State sweeps.
Friday, November 13
Niagara at Michigan
Dan: Michigan knows better than to overlook a team from Atlantic Hockey. Niagara earned a 1-1 tie against Penn State last week but are still looking for their first win. I think they play tough, but the Wolverines are in a better spot right now. Michigan wins.
Chris: Four of the Wolverines first six games have been against AHC teams, including a loss to Robert Morris two weeks ago. After a bye weekend to stew about it, I don’t think Red’s boys will be taking the Purple Eagles lightly. Michigan wins.
