I could have resorted to the four-corners offense last week — you youngsters out there will need to look that one up on Wikipedia — but I didn’t. I went against Jim’s picks in three of the five games and almost went three-for-three. But as Meatloaf once sang — more Wikipedia research there for you, kids — two out of three ain’t bad.
Perhaps the aura of Friday the 13th will turn the tide for Jim, but I think not.
Dave last week: 3-1-1
Jim last week: 2-2-1
Dave’s record-to-date: 71-43-12
Jim’s record-to-date: 66-48-12
Here are this week’s picks:
Friday, January 13
Boston College at Massachusetts
Dave’s pick: I’m going against the stats on this one. UMass is undefeated at home (6-0-3) and winless on the road (0-7-2), but I see BC changing all that.
BC 3, UMass 2
Jim’s pick: I will go with the stats and say that home ice matters
UMass 3, BC 2
Maine at Merrimack
Dave’s pick: Maine’s stellar offense vs. Merrimack’s exceptional defense. The Black Bears make it five in a row and nine of ten on the strength of two power-play goals.
Maine 4, MC 3
Jim’s pick: Another opportunity to pick against Dave, I like Merrimack at home as well.
MC 4, Maine 2
Massachusetts-Lowell at Vermont
Dave’s pick: The league’s biggest surprise against its biggest disappointment. As Gomer Pyle once said (more Wikipedia, kids), “Surprise! Surprise! Surprise!”
UML 4, UVM 2
Jim’s pick: Vermont may be at home but this shouldn’t be close.
UML 5, UVM 2
Boston University at Northeastern
Dave’s pick: I know the Huskies have won eight straight and this one is in their barn, but I’m still going with the Terriers. They were going so strong before the losses of Corey Trevino and Charlie Coyle, and I think they’ve still got most of their mojo.
BU 3, NU 2 (OT)
Jim’s pick: I once again go with the home team. Matthews will be rocking for this one.
NU 4, BU 3
Saturday, January 14
Northeastern vs Boston College
Dave’s pick: The Husky fans are really going to boo me on this one as I pick their boys to drop a second game on the weekend. Sorry, but that’s how I see it even though BC’s inconsistency has been troubling. Give the Eagles the edge for having played at Fenway before.
BC 4, NU 3
Jim’s pick: I am only picking against NU once, but their fans will hate me as well.
BC 5, NU 3
Maine at Merrimack
Dave’s pick: This series really looks like a split, but I’m going with a hunch here that Maine pulls off the sweep.
Maine 3, MC 2 (OT)
Jim’s pick: I will give the rematch to Maine.
Maine 2, MC 1
Boston University at Harvard
Dave’s pick: If I’m going to pick the Terriers over a team that has won eight straight, then it’s a no-brainer to go with them against the ever-so-average Crimson. Harvard is .500 in the ECAC, .500 in non-league play, .500 at home and .500 on the road. Average, a word anathema to that school, but apt.
BU 4, HU 2
Jim’s pick: This is not as easy as Dave makes it sound, but I still think BU wins here.
BU 3, HU 2
Dartmouth vs New Hampshire
Dave’s pick: Like Tammy Wynette standing by her man (more of the Wiki-fest), I’m standing by the Wildcats.
UNH 3, DU 2
Jim’s pick: UNH’s regular season record at Manchester is awful. That weighs on my mind.
DU 4, UNH 1
Sunday, January 15
Providence at Vermont
Dave’s pick: The Friars won the first two games in this series by a collective 10-3 margin, but I’m going with a major reversal and an upset here. The Catamounts get their second league win.
UVM 2 PC 1
Jim’s pick: This is a must win for PC to get back on track.
PC 3, UVM 1
