Hockey East picks – Dec. 7-20

Jimmy and I only disagreed on a single game last week. Which means we both got shellacked on Friday and had to make do with modest Saturday comebacks.

Even though he picked up a game on me, I’m still ahead by five so I’ll be heading into the holidays with a nice cushion barring a cataclysmic collapse.

Knock on wood.

Dave last week: 5-6-1
Jim last week: 6-5-1
Dave’s record-to-date: 54-24-6
Jim’s record-to-date: 49-29-6

Here are this week’s picks:

Friday, Dec. 7

Boston College at Providence
Dave’s pick: Jerry York gets win number 925. No question.
BC 4, PC 1
Jim’s pick: Agree. I think BC will have a focus to get this record behind them now.
BC 4, PC 2

Colgate at Massachusetts
Dave’s pick: Colgate comes into the game 6-3-0 at home, but 0-4-2 on the road. Look for the ohfer streak to continue.
UMass 3, Colgate 2
Jim’s pick: Coin flip on this one. But as Dave points out, the road hasn’t been kind to the ‘Gate.
UMass 4, Colgate 2

Harvard at Merrimack
Dave’s pick: Even though both clubs have produced quite even home-road splits, I’m still figuring that home ice proves decisive. (Translation: don’t confuse me with the facts; my mind is made up.)
MC 3, HU 2
Jim’s pick: I actually am going to go with the upset here. Home ice is important, but so is Harvard’s skill.
HU 3, MC 2

Saturday, Dec.8

Northeastern at Massachusetts-Lowell
Dave’s pick: I thought (correctly) that New Hampshire would stall the River Hawks’ brief momentum surge, but there are no Wildcats or Eagles on the horizon. Lowell doesn’t lose a game for the rest of 2012.
UML 3, NU 1
Jim’s pick: I think NU may give Lowell a game, but the River Hawks should win this one.
UML 5, NU 3

Maine at Boston University
Dave’s pick: I’m not sure whether this entire season will be a long one for the Black Bears, but I’m pretty sure this game will be one.
BU 5, Maine 1
Jim’s pick: Can’t go with Maine here the way they are playing (and more importantly, the way BU is playing.
BU 4, Maine 2

Colgate at Massachusetts
Dave’s pick: The Minutemen sweep to go a game over .500.
UMass 4, Colgate 3
Jim’s pick: Feel like a split, but I’ll be a Hockey East homer.
UMass 2, Colgate 1

Monday, Dec. 10

Massachusetts-Lowell at Harvard
Dave’s pick: The percentages might opt for the Crimson at home, but I see the River Hawks going on a roll.
UML 3, HU 2
Jim’s pick: I’m putting my homerism behind and going for a Crimson sweep over Hockey East.
HU 4, UML 2

Tuesday, Dec. 11

Army at Merrimack
Dave’s pick: The Black Knights always provide spirited opposition, but the Warriors will be too much for them.
MC 4, Army 2
Jim’s pick: Agreed. Merrimack all the way here.
MC 5, Army 1

Massachusetts at Yale
Dave’s pick: The Bulldogs prevent UMass from heading into the break with a four-game winning streak.
Yale 4, UMass 3
Jim’s pick: Yale is the better team, no doubt.
Yale 3, UMass 1

Saturday, Dec. 15

Vermont at St. Lawrence
Dave’s pick: Taking three-of-four points at Maine was an encouraging sign for the Catamounts, but their old North Country rivals will put a stop to that.
SLU 4, UVM 2
Jim’s pick: Tough trip, particularly when the Cats aren’t yet on top of their game.
SLU 4, UVM 2

Thursday, Dec. 20

Vermont at Providence
Dave’s pick: The Catamounts join Maine in the club no team wants to join before the holidays: The 10 Losses Club.
PC 3, UVM 1
Jim’s pick: Hadn’t thought about win total, but still think Providence can pull out a win before the break, particularly at home.
PC 3, UVM 2