College Hockey:

Hockey East picks, Oct. 12-13

I suppose I should be hanging my head in shame at starting the year 1-2.  I should be asking who would have expected Merrimack to knock off fifth-ranked Union?  And who would have expected Maine to fall to Quinnipiac?  The sad rationalizations should be flying.

Instead, I’m giddy with delight.  Why?  Because I may be 1-2, but Jimmy is 0-3.

Life is good.

Jim last week: 0-3-0

Dave last week: 1-2-0

Jim’s record-to-date: 0-3-0

Dave’s record-to-date: 1-2-0

Friday, Oct. 12

Vermont at Lowell  

Dave’s pick: Both teams pick up where they left off last year.  Good news for the River Hawks; bad news for the Catamounts.

UML 4, UVM 2

Jim’s pick: I’m with Dave here. Lowell gets an early-season Hockey East win.

UML 5, UVM 2

Sacred Heart at Providence

Dave’s pick: This doesn’t match last year’s season opener (a win over BU), but it ain’t half bad.

PC 4, SH 2

Jim’s pick: This game won’t even be close.

PC 5, SH 1

Connecticut at Massachusetts

Dave’s pick: The future of Hockey East (UConn will become its twelveth team in two years) loses to its present.

UMass 3, UConn 2

Jim’s pick: This is my one major upset pick of the weekend.

UConn 3, UMass 2

Notre Dame vs Maine

Icebreaker Tournament

Dave’s pick: The more immediate future of Hockey East (Notre Dame will become its eleventh team next year) knocks off to its present.

Notre Dame 2, Maine 1

Jim’s pick: If Maine had won last weekend, I’d be more apt to pick them. But we all know that didn’t happen.

Notre Dame 5, Maine 3 

St. Cloud State at New Hampshire

Dave’s pick: The Wildcats desperately want to get off to a strong start this year and this game grants that wish.

UNH 4, SCSU 3

Jim’s pick: Coach Umile picks up win #500.

UNH 4, SCSU 2

Saturday, Oct. 13

Providence at Boston University

Dave’s pick: The Terriers win this battle of rookie goaltenders.

BU 4, PC 3

Jim’s pick: This may be a game that proves how good (or not-so-good) Providence is. Still, I’m going with BU at home.

BU 3, PC 2

Boston College at Northeastern

Dave’s pick: The Eagles get their national championship defense off to a ringing start.

BC 4, NU 1

Jim’s pick: Northeastern got its one upset of the week. It ain’t getting two.

BC 3, NU 2

Army /NE Omaha   vs Maine

Icebreaker Tournament

Dave’s pick: The Black Bears get off the schneid.

Maine 3, Army/NE Omaha 2

Jim’s pick: Maine wins this no matter who the opponent.

Maine 5, Army 1; Maine 3, NE Omaha 2

St. Cloud State at New Hampshire

Dave’s pick: The percentage play is to go with a split here, but I’m a UNH believer until forced to reconsider.

UNH 3, SCSU 2 (OT)

Jim’s pick: I’m going with a split here but worried I will pick the wrong winners each night.

SCSU 4, UNH 2