Two weekends left and there is a three-way tie for the top spot in Hockey East. Should Massachusetts-Lowell and Boston University win make-up games on Tuesday night, there will be a four-way tie for first heading into next weekend.

1. Providence, New Hampshire and Boston College

That’s your first-place trio atop Hockey East. Add the fact that Merrimack entered the weekend in first place, you have four teams that this weekend alone held the top spot in Hockey East. I’ve been around this league since 1993 and can’t remember a race like this.

2. River Hawks, Friars sweep

By far the biggest stories this weekend were the sweeps orchestrated by Lowell and Providence. Providence was a must-sweep series facing Northeastern. Lowell was a rare feat for their team, having won earlier this season and only having swept the season series from Boston University one other time since 1983. While both of these teams are streaking and possibly ready to be upset champions in Hockey East, you can only look forward to the final weekend of the season when the two will square off in a home-and-home series.

3. Is it time to bury Northeastern?

Trust me, I’m not trying to be a negative voice in the Hockey East world right now, but after Northeastern lost its 3rd and 4th straight league games this weekend and now sit alone in last place, you have to wonder if the postseason is now unattainable for the Huskies. Granted a final weekend series against Boston University, a team NU has beaten twice, shows some promise. But it’s totally possible that two wins in the final weekend may be too late for Northeastern if they hope to climb into eighth and make the playoffs.

Last week, I was struck by the Curse of Nicole.

Let me explain. Nicole, my daughter, was offended that I picked Boston College to defeat Northeastern in the Beanpot championship game. (She and her husband Greg are Northeastern graduates.) When she found out that Jim had picked the Huskies, she told me that he was now her favorite and because of my treachery she hoped I got every pick wrong for the rest of the year.

Last week, I went 3-4-3 and dropped two games to Jim.

Coincidence? I think not.

Friday, Feb. 22

Maine at Massachusetts
Dave’s pick: I agonized over this pick, but I’m going with the Black Bears. They’re playing the better of the two teams.
Maine 2, UMass 1
Jim’s pick: This is the toughest series to pick this weekend. I feel firmly this will be a split but, as usual, I’ll likely call the split on the wrong nights.
UMass 3, Maine 2

Northeastern at Providence
Dave’s pick: At the risk of incurring even more of Nicole’s wrath, I’m going with the Friars.  Although if I really wanted to solidify my comparison in this week’s column between PC and Tigran Petrosian, I’d pick a scoreless tie.
PC 4, NU 2 
Jim’s pick: I can incur Nicole’s wrath too, because on paper this has become a pretty lopsided affair.
PC 4, NU 1

New Hampshire at Vermont
Dave’s pick: Vermont’s three-week gauntlet through the Hockey East Iron begins here and not on a happy note. 
UNH 4, UVM 2 
Jim’s pick: Agreed. Loved the way Vermont played last weekend but I think a desperate UNH team wins… at least on Friday.
UNH 3, UVM 2

Massachusetts-Lowell at Boston University
Dave’s pick: If I were opting for the Four Corners Offense in my picks race with Jim, I’d take a split in this series with the home team taking each game. But I’m going with the River Hawks over the Jekyll-and-Hyde Terriers.
UML 3, BU 2 (OT) 
Jim’s pick: I agree with Dave that I should be bullish on Lowell, but at home you have to figure that BU finds a way to win.
BU 4, UML 3

Saturday, Feb. 23

New Hampshire at Vermont
Dave’s pick: The Wildcats take over first place, temporarily at least, with a sweep. 
UNH 3, UVM 2 
Jim’s pick: Not so fast. I think this Vermont team will take some points down the stretch beginning with UNH. I’m opting for the split in Burlington. 
UVM 3, UNH 2

Boston University at Massachusetts-Lowell

Dave’s pick: The River Hawks sweep, although it probably still won’t be enough to put them in home ice position.
UML 3, BU 2
Jim’s pick: Lowell has only had one bad weekend in the second half of the season. This won’t be a second one.
UML 4, BU 2

Maine at Massachusetts
Dave’s pick: By picking a Maine sweep on the road, I’m opening the door for Jim to catch up.  Will he race through it, or will it slam in his face?
Maine 3, UMass 2
Jim’s pick: Maine will pick up a road split in a tough place (historically for the Black Bears) to play.
Maine 4, UMass 1

Providence at Northeastern
Dave’s pick: They played with such heart in the Beanpot, but the Huskies still will see a playoff berth slipping through their fingers.
PC 3, NU 2 (OT)
Jim’s pick: What Dave said.
PC 4, NU 2

Sunday, Feb. 24

Boston College at Merrimack
Dave’s pick: This rematch of last week’s game that catapulted Merrimack into first place will go the other way this time.
BC 3, Merrimack 2
Jim’s pick: I tend to agree though worry that games at Lawler have become incredibly difficult for me to pick.
BC 3, Merrimack 1 

Tuesday, Feb. 26

Merrimack at Boston University
Dave’s pick: Could the Terriers actually go oh-for-3 on the extended weekend?  After taking three points last weekend in Orono?  It’s hard to imagine, but I like their opponents better.
MC 3, BU 2 (OT)
Jim’s pick: Especially if Merrimack loses on Sunday, I feel they will come out guns a blazing on Tuesday.
MC 4, BU 1

Massachusetts-Lowell at Boston College
Dave’s pick: I really like the way the River Hawks are playing, but I think they’ll fall just short of picking up six points on the week.
BC 3, UML 2 (OT)
Jim’s pick: If this game was in Lowell, I might pick differently. But I have to agree with Dave.
BC 4, UML 2

These are the three things I think I learned this week.

1. It’s anyone’s ballgame.

Going into Sunday’s games, only four points separated first-place Merrimack from sixth-place Massachusetts-Lowell.  At that point, all six teams had played exactly 20 games.

(As a tribute to Warrior fans who years ago paid their dues and then some, I’ll glue together the words “first-place” and “Merrimack” throughout this column because I know that no matter how often it’s repeated, it ain’t gettin’ old for you guys.)

After Sunday’s ties between first-place Merrimack and Providence as well as Boston College and New Hampshire, the gap grew to five points.  But that’s five minus a game in hand for the River Hawks so arguably we now have an even tighter gap from first (where you-know-who resides) and sixth.

I had thought a few weeks back that BC and UNH would make it a two-team race with the other four battling it out for home ice.  I was wrong.  It’s as open of a race as possible.

And it’ll be fascinating to watch the next three weekends unfold.

2. Vermont is a lot better than I’ve given them credit for.

I’ve been spouting off for weeks now how I expected the Catamounts to finish ninth or tenth this year.  Well, after their road sweep of Northeastern, they’ve established a four-point cushion.  They’ve now won three straight and four of five.

They do still face the toughest schedule in Hockey East (and probably the nation) over the final three weeks: two vs. UNH, two at Boston University, and two vs. BC.

But the Cats have built up the cushion that I said they’d need and I thought they couldn’t build. Can they steal some points from The Iron down the stretch?  If not, will the four points hold up?

Those are still tough questions to answer.  (I’m going with: probably and possibly.)  But either way, a tip of the fedora to the Catamounts.

3. Lowell, Providence, and BU remain in the hunt.

The River Hawks swept all four points from their sister school in Amherst to rebound from two straight losses.  Since the first of those losses snapped an 11-game unbeaten streak, this is once again one of the hottest teams in the country.

Providence continues to quietly hang in there, using one tie after another to remain in striking distance.  The Friars are now undefeated in their last five.  Four of those have been ties, but most teams would take a 1-0-4 mark especially considering that those contests were against first-place Merrimack, UNH (twice), BU, and Maine.

Boston University looked dead a week ago.  The Terriers finished last in the Beanpot.  (Hop in a time machine, go back seven or eight years, and see what the odds were of BU flopping so badly in a tournament it considered its own while staring up in the standings at first-place Merrimack.)

Then coach Jack Parker banished defenseman Alexx Privitera for the season for on-ice discipline problems.  And oh yeah, the loss in the Beanpot consolation game was the Terriers’ third in a row, making them 3-7-1 since the holiday break.

Taking three-of-four points at Alfond, however, proves the Terriers aren’t dead yet.  They did blow a 4-1 third period lead and needed a mighty fortuitous bounce of the puck to create the two-on-none that won the second game with three seconds in overtime.

But points are points.  BU needed them and got them.

I picked up a game on the old man last week, but at this point that’s not going to help much. Let’s see if Dave plays prevent defense this week as I’m the one picking first.

Jim last week: 3-2-1
Dave last week: 2-3-1
Jim’s record to date: 84-64-17
Dave’s record to date: 90-58-17

Friday, Feb. 15

Boston College at Merrimack
Jim’s pick: I know a Beanpot win doesn’t make a season, but I feel like BC is back on track, even playing at Merrimack.
BC 3, MC 2
Dave’s pick: BC isn’t invincible right now, but I see them emerging as the winner in this Battle for First Place.
BC 3, MC 2

Boston University at Maine
Jim’s pick: Don’t know if there is more of a must-win set of games for any other team in Hockey East. BU needs to get back on track; Maine needs wins to make the playoffs. Going with the home team to start.
Maine 4, BU 2
Dave’s pick: If I were the prevent-defense type, I’d just mimic Jim’s pick here. But that ain’t me. I have to think that BU’s loss in the Beanpot consolation game will act as the ultimate wake-up call.  If not now, when?  To my mind, BU looked too good in the first half to continue playing as poorly as they have in the second.
BU 3, Maine 2 

Vermont at Northeastern
Jim’s pick: I really liked the way Northeastern played in the Beanpot but worry that being back to league play could bring this team back to reality.
UVM 4, NU 2
Dave’s pick: I also liked Northeastern’s Beanpot play and haven’t been as optimistic as Jim about Vermont.  I’ll take the Huskies in this series that could determine which of these teams is playing come March 15 and which is pulling out the golf clubs.
NU 3, UVM 1

Massachusetts-Lowell at Massachusetts
Jim’s pick: Last time these two teams played it was a lopsided game in favor of the River Hawks. I don’t expect that again but also think Lowell will win on the road.
UML 5, UMass 3
Dave’s pick: The River Hawks hit a couple potholes after flying along on their winning streak.  I think they get back to flying again.
UML 4, UMass 2

Saturday, Feb. 16

Boston University at Maine
Jim’s pick: Think this series has split written all over it. Just hope I call it right.
BU 3, Maine 2
Dave’s pick: I’m going with a BU sweep even though it’s on the road.  Home ice hasn’t been kind to either of these teams.
BU 3, Maine 2 (OT)

Vermont at Northeastern
Jim’s pick: The Cats get a road sweep and become serious playoff contenders.
UVM 3, NU 2 (OT)
Dave’s pick: I’m going with a Huskies sweep even though strategically I shouldn’t be giving Jim such an obvious path to catch up with me.  Am I pulling the goalie with a lead?
NU 4, UVM 3

Massachusetts at Massachusetts-Lowell
Jim’s pick: River Hawks gets a much-needed sweep.
UML 4, UMass 1
Dave’s pick: Agreed. UMass has played well of late, but the River Hawks are simply the better team.
UML 4, UMass 2

Sunday, Feb. 17
New Hampshire at Boston College
Jim’s pick: Last time these teams locked horns it was a tale of two games. At home, BC dominated. Don’t think the Eagles will dominate again, but think they will win.
BC 4, UNH 2
Dave’s pick: BC has won three straight; in their last three, the Wildcats have disappointed to the surprising tune of 0-2-1.  Give me the Eagles.
BC 3, UNH 1

Merrimack at Providence
Jim’s pick: I love the way these two teams are playing right now. But I feel Merrimack has been a tiny bit more consistent.
MC 3, PC 2
Dave’s pick: I have to agree even though the Friars taking 3-of-4 points from UNH has me waffling.
MC 3, PC 2

Tuesday, Feb. 19
Northeastern at Massachusetts
Jim’s pick: I picked both of these teams to get swept over the weekend. If they do, both should be hungry. So I’m going with home ice here.
UMass 4, NU 3
Dave’s pick: I picked the Huskies to sweep at home over Vermont, but that won’t carry over to this road match-up.
UMass 3, NU 2

I know that Dave talked a lot about Merrimack’s recent success in last week’s column, but with Sunday’s victory over Massachusetts, this season for the Warriors has taken on an entirely different different meaning. That leads the three things I learned in this (albeit) abbreviated weekend in Hockey East:

1. Merrimack now can focus on first place

A few weekends ago, Merrimack was a team that was considered “battling for home ice.” But after a 7-2-1 span in league play since returning to break, combined with struggled among the league’s top teams, the Warriors now find themselves one point out of first place. And who will Merrimack face next? None other than first-place Boston College. The game will be played in the friendly (and tight) confines of Lawler Arena where the Warriors have won four straight.

2. If the NCAA tournament began tomorrow…

… it would be an ugly scene for Hockey East. Only three Hockey East teams would qualify for the NCAA tournament if the season began today: Boston College, New Hampshire and Boston University. BU, in fact, would be a bubble team. Yes, that’s the glass half empty approach as solid play late from teams like Merrimack and Massachusetts-Lowell could actually give Hockey East five teams in the tournament field. That, though, is a ways away.

3. Can rest help Northeastern?

Yes, anyone who follows college hockey knows that Northeastern has a chance to win its first Beanpot since 1988 – 25 years ago. Most would call the Huskies and underdog (swear, no pun intended) but you have to wonder if the fact that NU’s game Friday against Massachusetts being postponed could be beneficial to the Huntington Hounds. Yes, BC also was idle for the weekend because of the Blizzard of ’13. But imagine if Northeastern had played on Friday and lost, possibly losing confidence and momentum. Now, the Huskies can enter the TD Garden on Monday night remembering the incredible effort they put forth in their last game, a 3-2 win over Boston University last Monday night.

Did someone actually say “bet the ranch” when predicting yet another Boston University Beanpot win over Northeastern?

Well, that was hyperbole, you see.  Officially, USCHO deplores all forms of gambling.  (Except, of course, when Jim and I play poker. That isn’t gambling.  That’s separating fools from their money.)

As for how the two of us did last week, we again took it on the chin.  This league has become impossible to pick well on a consistent basis. Each week, we get a reminder of Hockey East’s top-to-bottom strength.

Here are this week’s picks:

Saturday, Feb. 9

Maine at Vermont
Dave’s pick: Here’s another pivotal game in the race for the playoffs. I’ve made no secret that I like Maine’s chances better than Vermont’s.  If the Catamounts are going to prove me wrong, they’d better start here.
Maine 2, UVM 1
Jim’s pick: And I’m the first to believe that the Catamounts will do just that, Dave. Especially at home.
UVM 2, Maine 1

Sunday, Feb. 10
Providence at New Hampshire
Dave’s pick: UNH bounces back from its home loss to Merrimack, but I’ll be surprised if this one isn’t neck-and-neck the whole way.
UNH 3, PC 2 (OT)
Jim’s pick: I like Providence’s chances here but don’t think I should go against UNH at home.
UNH 4, PC 3

Massachusetts at Merrimack
Dave’s pick: The Minutemen remain dangerous, but I’m predicting a fourth-straight win for the Warriors that gets them to within a point of first place.
MC 3, UMass 2
Jim’s pick: I agree with Dave. We have one heck of a great race for first. 
MC 2, UMass 1

Monday, Feb. 11

Boston University vs Harvard (Beanpot consolation)
Dave’s pick: Methinks BU remembers two years ago when it missed the NCAA tournament despite a 15-6-6 league record. The Terriers lost to Harvard in this same dreaded consolation game and got upset by the Huskies in the Hockey East quarterfinals. Between all that, their doom was sealed. Let’s see if it was a lesson learned.
BU 5, Harvard 1
Jim’s pick: BU understands how important this game is to the NCAA tournament race.
BU 4, Harvard 1

Northeastern vs Boston College (Beanpot championship)
Dave’s pick: What a story it’ll be if the Huskies can win their first Beanpot since 1988.  Arguably, that would be great for the tournament since the last time a team other than BC or BU won dates all the way back to 1993. But I don’t think it’s going to happen.
BC 3, NU 2
Jim’s pick: You could say that I’m picking different from Dave just to try to catch up. But I actually believe that NU is a destiny team in this year’s Beanpot.
NU 4, BC 3 (OT)

Wednesday, February 13

New Hampshire at Providence
Dave’s pick: The Wildcats earn a very tough sweep to climb within a point of BC and first place.
UNH 4, PC 2
Jim’s pick: Providence grabs the much-needed victory at home.
PC 3, UNH 2

These are the three things I think I learned this week.

1. Merrimack has got to be the most underrated team in the league.

I’ll admit it.  As impressed as I was with the Warriors when I featured them in the column two weeks ago, I thought their outrageously difficult schedule down the stretch would eventually relegate them to sixth place.

Well, they’re more than just resilient and gutsy.  They’re pretty good, certainly better than most people give them credit for.

The Warriors are now 5-1-1 in their last seven, taking five of six points from Maine, four of six from New Hampshire, and ending Massachusetts-Lowell’s 11-game undefeated streak.

By defeating UNH and Lowell — both teams that had been projected to earn NCAA tournament selections — Merrimack has taken over third place, just three points out of first while holding a game in hand.

2. Maine and UMass are making their playoff cases

Don’t look now but these two teams are a collective 6-1-1 over their last four games.  Maine is 3-0-1; Massachusetts, 3-1-0. As such, they’ve taken huge steps toward making the playoffs.

UMass hasn’t just eeked out wins over marginal teams. The Minutemen have stunned Boston College, 5-2, and Boston University, 5-1.

Maine swept BC in its own barn, tied Providence, and defeated a Lowell team that a week ago was the hottest in Hockey East.

If I were a Vermont or Northeastern fan, I would be feeling very nervous right now.

3. Only Boston College is heading into the Beanpot on a high note.

BC defeated Vermont in convincing fashion, 4-1. Other than that, the other Boston teams took it on the chin.  UMass spanked BU, 5-1; UNH topped Northeastern 3-1; and Rensselaer shut out Harvard.

What does it all mean?

We’ll find out tonight.  But a week ago a lot of people thought BU was emerging as the favorite, considering BC’s recent struggles.

Not anymore, at least not to these eyes.  The Eagles appear to be right back in the driver’s seat.

Seriously, I’m not sure what is worse at this point: my ability to pick games or the fact that I can’t make any head way on the old man. Miserable week all around last weekend.

Jim last week: 3-5-2
Jim’s record-to-date: 78-57-15
Dave last week: 3-5-2
Dave’s record-to-date: 85-50-15

Friday, Feb, 1

Vermont at Boston College
Jim’s pick: Three weeks ago, this pick is a slam dunk. Now it’s a tough game to choose.
BC 3, UVM 2
Dave’s pick: You know that scene in Moonstruck when Cher slaps Nicolas Cage and says, “Snap out of it!”  That’s what I think of when I see how poorly BC has been playing.
BC 4, UVM 2

Massachusetts-Lowell at Merrimack
Jim’s pick: Though I think Lawler Arena is a tough place to play, I also believe Lowell is playing so well right now that may not matter.
UML 4, MC 3
Dave’s pick: I’d feel a lot more comfortable about this pick if Dougie Carr were playing as well as he did last year.  Last weekend’s performance looked pretty ugly. Still, I’m going with the River Hawks.
UML 5, MC 4

Providence at Maine
Jim’s pick: I know Providence is the easy pick here but there’s a part of me that feels this Maine team is about to do something special. Let’s hope I’m right.
Maine 3, PC 1
Dave’s pick: I’m not sure what to make of Maine now.  The Black Bears couldn’t score more than two goals in 20-of-23 games, then suddenly their offense came to life over BC.  Will that continue or were the planets merely in some bizarre alignment last weekend?  When in doubt, I opt for the bizarre.
PC 3, Maine 1

New Hampshire at Northeastern
Jim’s pick: Sorry to say Huskies fans but I think last weekend was a very negative emotional weekend for the Huskies and I don’t think they can rebound.
UNH 5, NU 2
Dave’s pick: I have to agree.  It’s been a tough season for the Huskies, but last weekend’s soul-crushers will haunt them.
UNH 5, NU 2

Boston University at Massachusetts
Jim’s pick: This won’t be a landslide, but I think BU should win.
BU 4, UMass 2
Dave’s pick: Yeah, the Terriers seem to putting the pieces back together.  Just in time for the Beanpot.  Imagine that.
BU 3, UMass 1

Saturday, Feb. 2
Merrimack at New Hampshire
Jim’s pick: Merrimack always plays New Hampshire tough but I think the Wildcats can win at home.
UNH 3, MC 2
Dave’s pick: Merrimack’s brutal schedule results in a lost weekend.
UNH 4, MC2

Sunday, February 3

Massachusetts-Lowell at Maine
Jim’s pick: Lowell will have the spirit to play well in a must-win game.
UML 3, Maine 2
Dave’s pick: Who’s the Grinch who scheduled this game during the Super Bowl, back when the Patriots were a strong contender?  Seems to me like an attendance death wish.
UML 3, Maine 1

Monday, February 4

61st Beanpot Tournament (at TD Garden, Boston)

Boston University vs. Northeastern
Jim’s pick: Though NU beat BU a couple of weeks ago on the road, there simply is no picking against the Terriers in the first round of this tournament.
BU 4, NU 2
Dave’s pick: Agreed.  Go ahead, folks, bet the ranch.
BU 4, NU 2

Boston College vs. Harvard
Jim’s pick: Part of me feels this game won’t be close. Another feels we’ll see overtime.
BC 4, Harvard 3
Dave’s pick: Hey Eagles!  Snap out of it!
BC 5, Harvard 1

The upset of the year, the comeback of the year and a rash of injuries. Those comprise three takeaways from this weekend in Hockey East:

1. Maine’s sweep of Boston College is far-and-away the upset of the year

Yes, some people may have had high hopes for Maine entering this season. I was among that group. The season to this point may have been disappointing, but this past weekend certainly made some amends for the Black Bears struggles to this point. A two-game sweep at Boston College was certainly an upset but the way Maine swept the Eagles in Chestnut Hill was the real story. Maine dominated BC on the scoreboard, jumping out to insurmountable leads in both games and allowing simply a single goal. It will be interesting to see how the Black Bears, returning to home where they are winless, handles this upcoming weekend against Providence and Massachusetts-Lowell.

2. Upset of the year meet comeback of the year

On Friday night, the UMass-Lowell River Hawks scored twice late in the third to overcome a two-goal deficit and earn a road tie at Northeastern. The tie ended the River Hawks nine-game winning streak, one short of the program’s record at the Division I level. And about 24 hours later, it appeared may have derailed Lowell.

Then, the comeback of the year took place. Down 3-1 entering the third against the same Huskies team at home on Saturday (with the largest crowd in Tsongas Center history watching), Northeastern scored early in the third to take an insurmountable 4-1 lead. Insurmountable, at least, to most teams. Having come back the night before, though, seemingly gave the River Hawks comfort, confidence or a cross between the two. Lowell scored three times in the third, including a game-tying goal with an extra-attacker in the final minute, and then won the game in overtime.

Improbable? Yes. Dangerous? Certainly. If Lowell thinks it can fall behind and win games on a consistent basis, you can plan on watching a lot of frsutrating losses.

3. A decimated BC defense among a rash on injuries in the league

Boston College entered the weekend knowing Patch Alber may be out for the year. Late in the week, it was learned Mike Matheson would follow suit. So on Saturday, when the Eagles took the ice without that pair of blueliners AND fellow defenseman Colin Sullivan, one knew that this Eagles team was quickly becoming far too thin.

Steven Whitney jumped back to fill the void on Saturday night, further messing with the successful offensive line combos that had, until this weekend, been clicking on all (okay most) cylinders. Not an excuse but all had to be part of what contributed to a less-than-stellar performance against Maine.

BC was hardly alone in suffering the injury bug. Lowell is now without freshman goaltender Connor Hellebucyk, his injury not yet disclosed. Providence lost talented forward Nick Saracino. Boston University lost possibly its hottest player, Evan Rodrigues (though the original fear of a broken hand was found to be negative after x-rays on Saturday morning).

Those are just some of the many injuries plaguing league teams this time of year. The ability to overcome these bumps, breaks and bruises is generally what makes a championship team.

Okay, I admit it. Last week was an unmitigated disaster.  But come on, who out there was picking Massachusetts, Northeastern, and Providence to all knock off Hockey East’s Top 10 teams?

You over there, with your hand up.  Liar, liar, pants on fire!

Fortunately, Jim’s picks matched my own for ineptitude so we stayed even.  And we were both 8-1-1 the week before.

Onward to a new week.  The countdown begins to when my lead over Jim reaches doubt digits.

Here are this week’s picks:

Friday, Jan. 25

Boston University at Providence
Dave’s pick:  With three losses in the last four games, I’m not sure if BU qualifies as a sleeping giant that has been awoken or just a sleeping maybe-giant.  Either way, the Friars are playing far better than the Terriers and hold serve at home.
PC 3, BU 2
Jim’s pick: There is something that makes me feel that BU will be ready to go after two straight home losses.
BU 3, PC 2

Maine at Boston College
Dave’s pick: If Maine’s anemic offense doesn’t cure BC’s defensive mediocrity, the Eagles are in big trouble.
BC 5, Maine 1
Jim’s pick: I think it will be a little closer than Dave does, but I see this as a BC sweep.
BC 4, Maine 2

Massachusetts-Lowell at Northeastern
Dave’s pick: Despite recent wins over Harvard and BU, I can’t go with the Huskies over the rampaging River Hawks.
UML 4, NU 3
Jim’s pick: Lowell is white hot right now and I don’t think NU is the team to cool it off.
UML 5, NU 2

Massachusetts at Vermont
Dave’s pick: The Minutemen looked really good knocking off BC last Friday.  Put that together with their upset over Dartmouth coming out of the break and it’s tough to pick Vermont even at home.  The Catamounts, who fell to Penn State while UMass was defeating the number two team in the country, will lose their fifth straight.
UMass 3, UVM 2
Jim’s pick: Vermont needs to start playing better hockey if they’re going to win. This will be an emotionally-charged series with John Micheletto returning to Burlington. And I think that matters to the home team, at least on night one.
UVM 3, UMass 2

New Hampshire at Merrimack
Dave’s pick: Merrimack begins its Murderer’s Row of a schedule.  As much as I like how well the Warriors have played, I just can’t go against the Wildcats.
UNH 3, MC 2
Jim’s pick: Same here. I see UNH winning, but this is the make-it-or-break-it time for Merrimack.
UNH 4, MC 3

Saturday, Jan. 26

Maine at Boston College
Dave’s pick: The Eagles maintain their margin at the top of the standings; the Black Bears sadly maintain their margin at the bottom.
BC 5, Maine 1
Jim’s pick: BC completes the sweeps.
BC 5, Maine 2

Northeastern at Massachusetts-Lowell
Dave’s pick: The River Hawks roll to their 11th straight.
UML 4, NU 1
Jim’s pick: Eleven in a row is pretty hard to do, but I think Lowell has what it takes.
UML 3, NU 2

Massachusetts at Vermont
Dave’s pick: On paper, this probably should be a split, but I’m going with the Minutemen sweeping with Big Mo on their side.
UMass 3, UVM 2
Jim’s pick: I’ll pick the split here, taking UMass in game two.
UMass 4, UVM 2

Providence at Boston University 
Dave’s pick: BU’s home and away records over the past few years have been almost indistinguishable, so this isn’t so much a vote for home ice as it is for the Friars’ lackluster performance on the road.  That, plus it’s hard to see the Terriers losing a fourth straight and fifth out of six.
BU 3, PC 2 (OT)
Jim’s pick: I know NESN would like to see an overtime game here. Home ice hasn’t been kind to BU, so like Dave, I see this as a pretty tight game.
BC 6, PC 5

Merrimack at New Hampshire
Dave’s pick: The Wildcats finish off a sweep, knocking Merrimack down to sixth place, where I suspect they’ll finish the year.
UNH 4, MC 2
Jim’s pick: Get out the brooms, Wildcat fans!
UNH 3, MC 2