Well, this has been one very ugly start for me and I find myself in a hole to the old man (aka Dave) early. Hopefully I can stop the bleeding here in week 3.
Jim last week: 5-3-1
Dave last week: 7-1-1
Jim’s record-to-date: 5-6-1
Dave’s record-to-date: 8-3-1
This week’s picks:
Friday, Oct. 19
Boston College at Massachusetts
Jim’s pick: BC should be hungry after losing its opener a week ago.
BC 4, UMass 2
Dave’s pick: Agreed. I can’t see the Eagles opening with two losses.
BC 4, UMass 1
Massachusetts-Lowell at Denver
Jim’s pick: I have high expectations for Lowell but they may have been tempered by last weekend’s tie vs. Vermont. Still, I think that might make the River Hawks hungry.
UML 3, DU 2
Dave’s pick: This is one very tough early-season trip and it might well make the River Hawks better, but I’m afraid they could return home empty-handed.
DU 3, UML 2
St. Lawrence at Maine
Jim’s pick: Maine hasn’t impressed much thus far but if they get the goals, they should be able to sweep the Saints.
Maine 3, SLU 2
Dave’s pick: Even though St. Lawrence is coming off a nice split at Western Michigan, I’m still going with the Black Bears.
Maine 2, SLU 1
Providence at Miami
Jim’s pick: The Friars should be a good team this season but may have some cobwebs out of the gate against a Miami team that already has two wins.
Miami 3, PC 1
Dave’s pick: I like the Friars’ long-term outlook, but this is another really tough road trip.
Miami 4, PC 1
Merrimack at Alaska (Goal Rush Tournament)
Jim’s pick: The Warriors were impressive against Union and got bitten by a slow start at Northeastern. I think they rebound this weekend.
MC 4, Alaska 2
Dave’s pick: The Warriors leave their hosts still looking for their win.
MC 3, Alaska 1
Saturday, Oct. 20
Northeastern at Boston College
Jim’s pick: Yes, the Huskies have impressed, but I think two wins in eight days against BC might be more than NU is capable of.
BC 5, NU 3
Dave’s pick: Agreed. There will be no sullying of BC’s banner-raising festivities.
BC 4, NU 2
Boston University at New Hampshire
Jim’s pick: These are two teams that looked great in the first weekend. So I’m going with home ice to decide this one.
UNH 3, BU 2
Dave’s pick: My thinking exactly. If the venue were reversed, I’d be opting for the Terriers.
UNH 3, BU 2
Massachusetts-Lowell at Colorado College
Jim’s pick: Maybe I’m too optimistic on the River Hawks, but I’m picking them for two tough road wins.
UML 2, CC 1
Dave’s pick: If the River Hawks are going to take one of these on the road, this is the better opportunity, but I see a darker result for the Hawks than Jim.
CC 2, UML 1 (OT)
St. Lawrence at Maine
Jim’s pick: Maine completes the sweep at home.
Maine 5, SLU 2
Dave’s pick: I’m also going with a sweep, but I’ll be stunned if the Black Bears do it via scoing five goals.
Maine 3, SLU 2
Providence at Miami
Jim’s pick: I know I’ll get bitten by picking a split here, but I think the Friars come home with at least one victory.
PC 3, Miami 1
Dave’s pick: I’d love to see the Friars get a split, but I can’t see it against a strong Miami team in its own barn.
Miami 3, PC 2
Merrimack vs. Alaska-Anchorage
Jim’s pick: Merrimack wins the tournament with a sweep of the Alaskas.
MC 5, UAA 2
Dave’s pick: I’m also going with the Warriors. This is the one road trip taken by Hockey East teams that pays immediate dividends in the won-loss record.
MC 4, UAA 2
