Hockey East picks – November 18-24

An equally mediocre week for Dave and me led to the old man maintaining a two-game lead.

Jim last week: 5-4-1
Dave last week: 5-4-1
Jim’s record-to-date: 35-21-7
Dave’s record-to-date: 37-19-7

Here are this week’s picks:

Friday, November 18

Vermont at Boston University
Jim’s pick: Despite Vermont typically playing well at BU, the Terriers are playing well enough right now I have to pick them,
BU 4, UVM 2
Dave’s pick: Jim is more optimistic about the Catamounts than I am. Their results are 1-5-1 without a single one-goal loss. The goal differential in the losses: 24-6. Nuff said.
BU 5, UVM 1

Providence at Northeastern
Jim’s pick: Interesting to see how the Friars do on the road, but they are the hotter hand and will get my pick.
PC 5, NU 3
Dave’s pick: The Huskies’ early-season win over UNH is looking awfully fluky now. At 1-7-2, it’s hard to go with them even at home.
PC 4, NU 1

Maine at Massachusetts
Jim’s pick: Not typical that UMass would ever be my pick over Maine, but at home and taking into account the Black Bears struggles, I’m going Minutemen
UMass 3, Maine 2
Dave’s pick: Agreed. Perhaps the Black Bears rise up after getting swept at home, but I’m believing in the resurgent Minutemen until proven otherwise.
UMass 4, Maine 2

Massachusetts-Lowell at New Hampshire
Jim’s pick: My gut says Lowell, my brain says UNH. For some reason, I’m following my brain.
UNH 4, UML 3
Dave’s pick: I was thinking Jim would go with his gut over his brain. After all, his gut is much larger.  I’m also going with UNH at home in the week’s most fascinating match-up.
UNH 4, UML 3

Boston College at Notre Dame
Jim’s pick: The battle of the Catholics goes to a fired up home team.
ND 3, BC 2
Dave’s pick: I may be a Hockey East homer, but Notre Dame can’t call Hockey East home. Not yet.
BC 3, ND 2

Saturday, November 19

New Hampshire at Boston University
Jim’s pick: Wound up with egg on my face picking UNH in this exact matchup on opening night. Lesson learned?
UNH 5, BU 3
Dave’s pick: Jim may not have learned his lesson, but I have. Not that I doubt UNH, but I like the way BU has played of late.
BU4, UNH 2

Vermont at Northeastern
Jim’s pick: Both teams are desperate for a win. I’m betting on home ice here
NU 3, UVM 1
Dave’s pick: I’ll agree with Jim on the desperation, but I don’t think it’s just home ice. I think the Huskies are simply playing the better hockey of the two.
NU 4, UVM 2

Massachusetts at Massachusetts-Lowell 
Jim’s pick: Battle of sister schools goes to the smaller.
UML 5, UMass 2 
Dave’s pick: Both teams entered the weekend with three-game winning streaks, but I like the River Hawks’ overall performances better.
UML 4, UMass 2

Tuesday, November 22

Massachusetts at Vermont
Jim’s pick: Right opponent for a win for UVM? Not sure, but worth the pick at home.
UVM 4, UMass 2
Dave’s pick: Home or away, I’ve got to see more from UVM before I start picking the Cats.
UMass 4, UVM 2

New Hampshire at Harvard 
Jim’s pick: Wildcats consistency can be questioned, but against Harvard? C’mon.
UNH 5, HU 2
Dave’s pick: The Wildcats haven’t lost since opening the season 0-4.  A no-brainer.
UNH 5, HU 1

Wednesday, November 23

Alabama-Huntsville at Merrimack  
Jim’s pick: This one shouldn’t be close.
MC 5, UAH 1
Dave’s pick: The Chargers’ plight in their final season isn’t as hopeless as the Indianapolis Colts’, but the results aren’t much different.
MC 6, UAH 1