Dave and I differed on a significant number of picks last week. That hasn’t happened often. Still, there wasn’t a lot of difference in the records (though I happily picked up a game).
Jim last week: 7-4-1
Jim to date: 108-67-21
Dave last week: 6-5-1
Dave to date: 105-70-21
Friday, February 2
New Hampshire at Northeastern
Jim’s pick: Even though the Huskies were winless against Providence last weekend, New Hampshire isn’t playing well enough to warrant a pick in this game.
NU 4, UNH 2
Dave’s pick: Two overtime games with the Friars is no reason to lose faith in the Huskies.
NU 5, UNH 2
Boston University at Massachusetts
Jim’s pick: This might be a good place to pick an upset, but BU seems to be rolling right now.
BU 5, UMass 3
Dave’s pick: UMass has lost four in a row now, while BU is (finally!) on the right track.
BU 4, UMass 2
Boston College at Connecticut
Jim’s pick: This hasn’t been the easiest matchup for BC since UConn joined the league, but I’m not picking against the Eagles here.
BC 3, UConn 2
Dave’s pick: There’s no peeking ahead to Monday night for the first-place Eagles.
BC 4, UConn 2
Providence at Vermont
Jim’s pick: The Catamounts enter this weekend playing their best hockey, but in reality Providence is the top team in Hockey East right now.
PC 4, UVM 2
Dave’s pick: I’ll give Vermont credit for its three straight wins, but it still isn’t close to being in Providence’s class.
PC 4, UVM 2
Merrimack at Maine
Jim’s pick: Merrimack simply isn’t playing their best hockey right now and a weekend at Maine doesn’t help.
UM 5, MC 2
Dave’s pick: In a bizarre twist from recent years, the Black Bears are 8-3-1 on the road but only .500 at home. Here’s where they show that’s a statistical anomaly.
UM 5, MC 2
Saturday, February 3
Merrimack at Maine
Jim’s pick: It won’t be a cakewalk, but the Black Bears earn another sweep.
UM 3, MC 2
Dave’s pick: I respect the Warriors, but think it could be two blowouts this weekend.
UM 5, MC 2
Massachusetts at New Hampshire
Jim’s pick: Even back at home, I can’t pick UNH. They’re just not playing great hockey right now.
UMass 3, UNH 2
Dave’s pick: The Wildcats are winless in their last 11. UMass is just the better team.
UMass 4, UNH 2
Providence at Vermont
Jim’s pick: I think the Cats make this a game, but Providence still finished the sweep.
PC 3, UVM 2
Dave’s pick: I’ll be surprised if it’s a one-goal game. The Friars are simply the far superior club.
PC 4, UVM 1
Monday, February 5
66th Beanpot Tournament (at Boston)
Boston College vs. Northeastern
Jim’s pick: This might be the better game of the two and I think that Northeastern will prevail.
NU 4, BC 3
Dave’s pick: I was disappointed to see Jim’s pick, because I, too, am going with the Huskies. They’ve got the ideal combination of defense and offense,
NU 3, BC 2 (OT)
Boston University vs. Harvard
Jim’s pick: BU is playing well enough they should be able to knock of the defending champs.
BU 5, HU 3
Dave’s pick: How odd it is to read that phrase, defending champs, connecting Harvard and the Beanpot. With BU coming on strong, I think Harvard’s reign is a short one.
BU 4, HU 2
Tuesday, February 6
Merrimack at Massachusetts
Jim’s pick: This is such a key game in the bottom positional race. I think UMass can prevail.
UMass 3, MC 2
Dave’s pick: I like the Minutemen, too, and home ice sure doesn’t hurt.
UMass 4, MC 2
American International at UMass Lowell
Jim’s pick: The River Haws have struggled in games against teams they should beat. But I’m not picking against them at home.
UML 4, AIC 3
Dave’s pick: After Jim and I disagreed on so many games last week, we agree on all of them this week. Although this really shouldn’t be a one-goal game at home against a sub-.500 Atlantic Hockey foe.
UML 5, AIC 2
