Friday, March 3

Massachusetts-Boston vs. Manhattanville
UMass Boston won both the regular season meetings, so we have to give them the benefit of the doubt and assume they’ll do the same here. UMass Boston 3-2

University of New England at No. 4 Norwich
Norwich shut out UNE in their two meetings during the regular season and I see no reason why that wouldn’t continue. They’re just one of the strongest teams in the country, and few can match up. Norwich 3-0

Saturday, March 4

Stevenson at No. 10 Endicott
These two haven’t met up since November and they’ve both grown a lot since then. Endicott is hoping to earn the CHC’s first NCAA bid, and I think that’s enough to motivate them and carry them on into the next round. Endicott 3-1

Canton vs. Morrisville
Morrisville won both their early meetings, but Canton is on an eight-game unbeaten streak. This may come down to one bounce, but I’m going to choose Canton in the upset. Canton 4-3

No. 5 Elmira at No. 1 Plattsburgh
I think I said this a week or two ago, but I think it’s probably foolish to pick against Plattsburgh for any reason until they give you a reason to. The Cardinals are the team to beat at all times until proven otherwise. Plattsburgh 4-2

No. 7 Lake Forest at No. 2 Adrian
I’d love to pick the upset here, but Adrian currently has the same privilege Plattsburgh does. The Bulldogs are undefeated this season and I won’t be picking them to lose until they show that someone is capable of beating them. Adrian 5-2

Amherst vs. No. 8 Connecticut College
All these awesome matchups of teams who haven’t played each other since the season started are getting me so excited for this weekend. They’re all such a great way to see how much a team has grown and learned over the course of a season. I’m going to pick Amherst here because I think this particular tournament is fairly volatile. Amherst 3-2

Bowdoin at No. 6 Middlebury
This game is probably the closest to a toss-up we’ll see in Division III this weekend. They each won a 2-1 game earlier in the season, with Bowdoin doing it in overtime. I’ll pick the higher seed in Middlebury, but think this game is going to be a lot of fun to watch. Middlebury 4-2

Wisconsin-Eau Claire at No. 3 Wisconsin-River Falls
Wis.-Eau Claire actually beat Wis.-River Falls twice in the regular season, but I’m not sure they’ll be able to do it again here in the playoffs. The Falcons are a big name team with big name players who will step up when it’s down to the wire, and I expect that will help them win out here. Wis.-River Falls 5-3

Nicole and I posted identical 24-7 (.774) records last week picking the first round of the playoffs. Let’s see how we do for Friday. On the year, I am 381-127-63 (.735), while she is 343-165-63 (.667).

Friday, March 3

Lindenwood vs. Robert Morris
Candace: I think the Colonials are on a mission to make their first NCAA tournament. Robert Morris 3-1
Nicole: Robert Morris has the momentum and the incentive, so I’m picking them to win. Robert Morris 4-1

RIT vs. Syracuse
Candace: The Tigers have a history of coming out of nowhere to win this tournament, but I think the Orange stop them cold. Syracuse 4-2
Nicole: Honestly, I think we all want to see Syracuse and Robert Morris duel, so it’s Syracuse here. Syracuse 3-0

Saturday, March 4

No. 8 Princeton vs No. 3 Clarkson
Candace: Princeton is on the bubble for the NCAA tournament. A win against Clarkson would help immensely, but unfortunately the Tigers won’t get it. Clarkson 3-2
Nicole: I never underestimate a team playing for its life. The Tigers have come on strong in the second half, but I’m not sure if they have enough to corral Mercer. I give this one to Clarkson, but wouldn’t be surprised to see the Tigers steal it. Clarkson 3-1

No. 7 Cornell vs No. 4 St. Lawrence
Candace: This game could go either way, but I think the Saints will squeak by. St. Lawrence 3-2
Nicole: I’m going to have to pick one upset and I think this is it. Cornell is another team playing for its life and I think they’ve got enough offensive power to overcome the Saints. There’s been flashes of greatness from the Big Red some weeks and now’s the time to put it all together. Cornell 3-2

Vermont vs No. 6 Boston College
Candace: The Eagles losing this weekend won’t surprise me, but losing this game would. Boston College 3-1
Nicole: A big part of me wants to pick Vermont here, especially after BC just eked by Merrimack in game two last week, but I think there’s a lot to be said about the fact that BC is incredibly experienced in the postseason and knows how to handle the timing, stress, and expectations. I’m picking BC, but rooting for Vermont. Boston College 4-3

Northeastern vs Boston University
Candace: It’s BU’s offense vs. Northeastern’s defense, and I think the latter makes the difference. Northeastern 3-2
Nicole: This game might just be a toss-up. Each team won in convincing fashion during the regular season. I think I’m going with Bugalski in goal to carry Northwestern here. Northeastern 5-3.

No. 2 Minnesota Duluth at No. 5 Minnesota
Candace: This, to me, is the game of the weekend. I go with the Gophers’ experience and belief. Minnesota 3-2
Nicole: I’m picking the Bulldogs because I think they’re much stronger than they were when they lost in Minneapolis last time around and because I’m really interested to the chaos that ensues in seeding from a Gophers’ loss. Minnesota Duluth 3-1

North Dakota vs. No. 1 Wisconsin
Candace: North Dakota had a tough series last weekend against Ohio State, and while that preparation will help, it won’t be enough. Wisconsin 4-1
Nicole: The Fighting Hawks played the Badgers close in all of their previous matchups this season and I don’t see it being any different here, but they say big players step up in big games and Wisconsin has quite a few big players. If Wisconsin was virtually unbeatable in the regular season, I expect that to be exponentially more true in the playoffs. I think the Badgers have just too much experience and depth for UND to overcome. Wisconsin 4-1

Picking North Dakota to sweep last weekend panned out for me, as I got the night the Hawks won when Matthew picked Miami. I went 5-1-2 (.750) while Matthew went 4-2-2 (.625). I don’t see him catching me in our season race, so that beer he owes me is going to taste yummy. On the year, I am 91-54-24 (.609) while Matthew is 74-71-24 (.508).

It’s the last weekend of the regular season, so let’s get to it.

Friday-Saturday, March 3-4

No. 15 North Dakota at Miami
Candace: This is likely a split, but maybe UND’s desperation will help. North Dakota 3-2, 3-1
Matthew: A UND team that’s. 500 on the road visits a Miami team that’s .500 at home. Can UND do enough to hold on to its home-ice spot for next week? Miami 3-2, North Dakota 3-1

Colorado College at No. 19 St. Cloud State
Candace: St. Cloud didn’t look terrible last weekend so much as Denver looked good. I think St. Cloud gets back on track, particularly since CC doesn’t do as well on Olympic-size ice. St. Cloud State 3-1, 4-2
Matthew: SCSU had a nice roll going before hitting Denver last weekend. I like the Huskies to start a new string against CC. St. Cloud State 4-1, 3-1

No. 1 Denver at Omaha
Candace: Omaha’s Dean Blais threw down a gauntlet, saying “Not in our building” about Denver winning the Penrose. However, the Mavericks don’t match up well with the Pioneers. Denver 4-2, 5-2
Matthew: I like DU to win the Penrose on Friday and for Omaha to then finish the regular season strong. Denver 3-1, Omaha 3-1

No. 3 Minnesota Duluth at No. 8 Western Michigan
Candace: Duluth will once again be in a couple of one-goal games. I see them taking one, though it’s a crap shoot picking which. Neither team loses on a Friday much, adding to the pick drama. Minnesota Duluth 3-2, Western Michigan 3-2
Matthew: Western has been very good at home so far this season. I don’t see that changing this weekend, but UMD will push the Bulldogs all the way. Western Michigan 3-2, 3-2