The final weekend before the NCAA tournament starts is here. We have a lot of interesting games in the works. Last week, I gained another game on Nicole, going 18-5 (.782), while Nicole went 17-6 (.739). On the year, I am 353-126-59 (.710), while Nicole is 344-135-59 (.694.)

We’ll start by picking the semifinals, and will add the finals picks on Saturday morning, so check back!

Friday, March 2

CHA

Penn State vs. Robert Morris
Candace: Penn State squeaked past Lindenwood, but their season ends here. Robert Morris 3-1
Nicole: RMU takes this one. Robert Morris 4-2

Syracuse vs. Mercyhurst
Candace: I could see the Orange notching the upset, but I’ll pick the Lakers in a tight one. Mercyhurst 2-1
Nicole: The Lakers advance. Mercyhurst 3-2

ECAC

No. 8 St. Lawrence vs. No. 2 Clarkson
Candace: It’s been a while since St. Lawrence beat Clarkson. It will be at least next year. Clarkson 4-2
Nicole: Clarkson takes this one. Clarkson 4-2

No. 6 Cornell vs. No. 4 Colgate
Candace: Colgate has too many ways to win, and Cornell doesn’t have enough consistent offense. Colgate 4-2
Nicole: Colgate wins. Colgate 3-2

Hockey East

Connecticut vs. No. 3 Boston College
Candace: This one will be really right, but I like the Eagles. Boston College 4-2
Nicole: Boston College wins. Boston College 5-3

Northeastern vs. No. 10 Maine
Candace: The Black Bears may feel like they are playing with house money, but I have trouble picking against Northeastern in this. Northeastern 3-1
Nicole: Northeastern wins. Northeastern 3-2

WCHA

Bemidji State vs. No. 1 Wisconsin
Candace: The Beavers run ends here. Wisconsin 4-1
Nicole: Wisconsin wins. Wisconsin 4-2

No. 7 Minnesota vs. No. 5 Ohio State
Candace: The Gophers have to beat OSU at some point. Why not now? Minnesota 3-2
Nicole: Ohio State wins. Ohio State 5-3

CHC

Nichols vs. Morrisville
This was closer than Morrisville would like two weeks ago, but I think Morrisville pulls it out. Morrisville 3-1

Canton vs. Endicott
I expect Endicott to take this. Endicott 4-2

MIAC

Hamline vs. No. 5 Gustavus Adolphus
I’m picking the upset here. I think Hamline wins. Hamline 4-3

NEHC

UMass Boston vs. No. 1 Norwich
The Cadets are the top squad in the country for a reason. They’ll take this one. Norwich 4-1

NESCAC

Bowdoin vs. No. 4 Middlebury
This should be all Panthers. Middlebury 3-1

No. 9 Amherst vs. Connecticut College
This will probably be one of the closest games of the weekend, but I’ll take the Camels to win. Connecticut College 3-2

NEWHL

Oswego vs. No. 2 Plattsburgh
The Cardinals win. Plattsburgh 5-2

UCHC

Utica vs. No. 3 Elmira
Elmira should win this one. Elmira 5-2

Stevenson vs. William Smith
I’ll take the higher seed here, but I think this could be a toss-up. William Smith 2-1

WIAC

No. 10 Wis.-Eau Claire vs. No. 7 Wis.- River Falls
This might be the best game of the weekend. These two are as close as can be, with each having a win and a loss, and they tied in their third meeting. Either team could take it, but I’ll take Wis.-River Falls to win. Wis.-River Falls 5-4