Though I thought I had a decent week, I continued to lose ground to Dave. Something needs to turn around fast (though with Dave picking second again, expect him to utilize the four-corners defense again!)
Jim last week: 9-4-2
Jim to date: 101-50-13
Dave last week: 11-2-2
Dave to date: 105-46-13
Friday, January 9
Boston College at Northeastern
Jim’s pick: I love the way Northeastern is playing right now, particularly at home. But BC has all of its World Junior players back and I think that is the difference maker.
BC 4, NU 3
Dave’s pick: Both teams are 4-0-1 in their last five games, but like Jim, I think BC’s the better club at full strength.
BC 3 NU 2
Maine at Massachusetts (non-conference)
Jim’s pick: Tough pick here. Pick a Maine team that is awful on the road or a UMass team that is struggling. When in doubt, go with home ice.
UMass 3, Maine 2
Dave’s pick: UMass is 1-6-0 at home; Maine is 1-6-0 on the road. I’d pick a 0-0 tie except that these are the two worst defensive teams in the league. I feel like I’m giving Jimmy a free game here, but I’m going with the Black Bears on pure instinct alone.
Maine 4, UMass 3
Dartmouth at New Hampshire
Jim’s pick: If this game were played at Dartmouth or at a neutral site, I’m going with the Green. But I think UNH can get up for this important rivalry game.
UNH 3, Dartmouth 2
Dave’s pick: I’m sure UNH will get up, but I’m not sure that’ll be enough. Is this a lost season for the Wildcats?
Dartmouth 4, UNH 3
Boston University at Wisconsin
Jim’s pick: Yes, Wisconsin has been terrible. Yes, Wisconsin upset Michigan Tech last week. And yes, the Badgers are playing at home. But NO WAY am I picking Wisconsin.
BU 4, Wisco 1
Dave’s pick: Wisconsin is 2-11-1. Can that be? My how the mighty have fallen.
BU 5, Wisco 1
Notre Dame at Western Michigan
Jim’s pick: I want to have confidence in Notre Dame, but it is slowly falling apart.
WMU 4, ND 2
Dave’s pick: I was going to give the Irish one last vote of confidence until I saw that Western Michigan, for all its lackluster record, has defeated four nationally ranked teams. I’ve got to go with the Broncos, at least at home.
WMU 3, ND 2
Providence at Brown
Jim’s pick: The Friars are on a roll and should be hungry for the two-game Mayor’s Cup series vs. Brown.
PC 5, Brown 1
Dave’s pick: The Friars are who we thought they were.
PC 4, Brown 1
Connecticut at Army
Jim’s pick: An old Atlantic Hockey rivalry should go to UConn.
UConn 4, Army 2
Dave’s pick: The Huskies are only 2-5-2 on the road, but I still think they’ll have enough to defeat the Black Knights.
UConn 3, Army 1
Saturday, January 10
Northeastern at Boston College
Jim’s pick: I really believe NU can salvage points from this series. But that is in my heart. My head says a BC sweep.
BC 4, NU 2
Dave’s pick: I see BC getting stronger all the way down the stretch.
BC 4, NU 2
UMass Lowell at Connecticut
Jim’s pick: These two teams met two weekends ago in the finals of the tournament in Bridgeport and it was a great game. Expect nothing less. But also expect the same result.
UML 3, UConn 1
Dave’s pick: The Huskies have knocked off top teams before, but I’m picking the River Hawks to remain undefeated within the league.
UML 4, UConn 1
Western Michigan at Notre Dame
Jim’s pick: I think on home ice, Notre Dame can get this job done.
ND 3, WMU 2
Dave’s pick: I’ve gone from expecting an Irish sweep to a Broncos sweep to… well… since Peyton Manning is struggling, I’ll go with a home-and-home split.
ND 3, WMU 2 (OT)
Maine at Massachusetts (non-conference)
Jim’s pick: I know everything I said about home ice, Maine’s road record, yada yada yada.
Maine 4, UMass 3
Dave’s pick: It’s utterly insane for me to pick a Maine sweep on the road, but when is the last time someone called me sane?
Maine 5, UMass 4 (OT)
Boston University at Wisconsin
Jim’s pick: Two more wins keeps the Terriers in excellent shape.
BU 4, Wisco 3
Dave’s pick: I don’t think it’ll be close. BU goes to 8-1-1 on the road.
BU 4, Wisco 1
Brown at Providence
Jim’s pick: Providence finishes the sweep to take the Mayor’s Cup.
PC 4, Brown 2
Dave’s pick: Agreed. Seven in a row for the Friars.
PC 3, Brown 1
Sunday, January 11
Vermont at Dartmouth
Jim’s pick: Vermont seems to have lost something off its fastball since break. But I still have confidence the Cats can win on the road.
UVM 3, DC 2
Dave’s pick: The Catamounts will need that fastball back when they tackle the Hockey East iron over the second half, but they’ve got enough to beat Dartmouth, even on the road.
UVM 2, DC 1
Tuesday, January 13
Providence at New Hampshire
Jim’s pick: Assuming the ice holds up, expect Providence to extend its winning streak.
PC 3, UNH 1
Dave’s pick: The Friars extend their winning streak to eight games leading into a huge home-and-home with Lowell.
PC 4, UNH 2
