Both of us had solid weeks, but Jim stayed a nose ahead (or in the case of us two, a beer belly).
Dave last week: 7-2-2
Jim last week: 7-2-2
Dave’s record-to-date: 44-18-18 (.663)
Jim’s record-to-date: 42-14-15 (.697)
Here are this week’s picks:
Friday, December 10
New Hampshire at Maine
Dave’s pick: On a neutral sheet of ice, I’d go with UNH. The Wildcats have allowed only two goals over their last three games. At Alfond Arena, however, the Black Bears are undefeated. Advantage Maine.
Maine 3 UNH 2 (OT)
Jim’s pick: After seeing UNH with my own eyes on Sunday, I think they can take Maine at home.
UNH 4, Maine 2
Massachusetts-Lowell at Princeton
Dave’s pick: The River Hawks haven’t caught a break so far this year and it doesn’t happen this weekend either. The Tigers are looking pretty good with a share of the ECAC lead (albeit not in percentage).
Princeton 4 Lowell 2
Jim’s pick: I’m with Dave here. Until Lowell shows me differently, hard to pick them.
Princeton 3, Lowell 1
Saturday, December 11
Quinnipiac at Providence
Dave’s pick: One team enters the break with a winning record, the other with a losing one. (Non-math majors: this means they’re both now at .500.) Call me a homer, but I’m going with Hockey East.
PC 3 QU 2
Jim’s pick: Don’t understand Dave’s rationale, but after seeing UMass beat QU, I’m saying Providence can do the same.
PC 5, QU 3
Boston University at Rensselaer
Dave’s pick: RPI is undefeated at home this year and has lost only to top-ranked Yale over the last five games. Even so, I’m going with the Terriers, who despite defeating Northeastern on Wednesday are probably still licking their wounds from the sweep at the hands of Boston College.
BU 3 RPI 2
Jim’s pick: BU isn’t playing their best hockey right now. I’m going with the home team.
RPI 4, BU 3
Massachusetts-Lowell at Princeton
Dave’s pick: I wish it weren’t so, but I see the River Hawks going into the holiday break with a 2-14-2 overall record.
Princeton 4 Lowell 2
Jim’s pick: Agreed.
Princeton 3, Lowell 2
Sunday, December 12
Massachusetts at Maine
Dave’s pick: Unless there’s a letdown after Friday night’s huge rivalry game, the Black Bears will remain undefeated at Alfond.
Maine 4 UMass 1
Jim’s pick: Maine rebounds in this one.
Maine 5, UMass 2
Vermont at Dartmouth
Dave’s pick: Dartmouth has gotten off to a strong start this year. Vermont, anything but.
Dartmouth 4 UVM 1
Jim’s pick: Keeps getting uglier for the Cats.
Dartmouth 3, UVM 1
