Hockey East picks – Dec. 11-12

Even when I have a strong week, Jimmy matches me. And when I don’t…

Dave last week: 8-4-2
Jim last week: 8-4-2
Dave’s record-to-date: 82-35-21
Jim’s record-to-date: 87-30-21

Here are this week’s picks:

Friday, Dec. 11

Merrimack at Connecticut 
Dave’s pick: A week ago, I’d have gone with the Warriors, but it’s hard to ignore UConn’s sweep of Massachusetts-Lowell last weekend. Merrimack has also cooled off from its torrid start, losing its last three by a cumulative 10-1 score and going only 0-3-2 in its last five.
UConn 2, MC 1
Jim’s pick: I like the way UConn played last weekend but think there could be a let down after the back-to-back upsets. I am going with Merrimack.
MC 3, UConn 2

Union at Massachusetts
Dave’s pick: For a while there, the Minutemen were one of the top surprises in the league, if not the country. But they’ve plummeted back to Earth with an 0-5-3 mark since their sweep of UConn a month ago. I’m not sure I’m a believer in Union, especially on the road, but I’m casting my lot with the Dutchmen.
Union 4, UMass 3
Jim’s pick: Dave said it well. Hard to pick UMass here.
Union 4, UMass 2

Boston University at Yale
Dave’s pick: The Terriers have been all over the map while Yale is, somewhat similarly, a game over .500. If this were in BU’s barn, where the Terriers are 7-2-1, I’d go with them. But I think that 1-3-1 road record is about to get worse.
Yale 3, BU 2
Jim’s pick: I am giving Dave opportunities to get back in this race by not picking the same. But I think BU can win this one.
BU 4, Yale 3

St. Lawrence at Vermont
Dave’s pick: The Catamounts did come out of their tailspin last week, splitting with BU, but I’ll take the Larries, even on the road.
SLU 3, UVM 2
Jim’s pick: Vermont will struggle without goaltender Mike Santaguida. That is the difference.
SLU 4, UVM 3

Dartmouth at New Hampshire 
Dave’s pick: It would be nice to see the Wildcats go into the Holiday break with a four-game unbeaten streak, and that’s exactly what I think will happen.
UNH 4, Dartmouth 3
Jim’s pick: The in-state battle goes to the home club.
UNH 4, Dartmouth 2

Saturday, Dec. 12

Boston University at Quinnipiac 
Dave’s pick: At 15-0-2, Quinnipiac is much too tough an opponent, at home no less, for the up-and-down Terriers. Back-to-back losses to the ECAC dampen the Yuletide joy for the Terriers.
QU 4, BU 1
Jim’s pick: I think the game will be closer. Maybe even a BU upset but I can’t pick that.
QU 3, BU 2

Vermont at St. Lawrence
Dave’s pick: I’m picking a lot of ECAC wins over Hockey East, but that’s how it seems to be shaping up. The Catamounts get swept.
SLU 4, UVM 2
Jim’s pick: Agreed. This could be a tough stretch for Vermont.
SLU 5, UVM 3