Jim Connelly

Jim Connelly is the USCHO Executive Editor. He has been with USCHO since 1999 and previously covered Atlantic Hockey and Hockey East. He also serves as a color analyst for Hockey East on NESN.

Irish eyes smile, River Hawks keep defense alive and one team (make that TWO teams) need to keep practicing

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After Notre Dame beat Boston College on the final day of the regular season, there was a reason to believe that the Irish could beat the Eagles in a best-of-three series. Still, it was difficult to pick Notre Dame. That leads the three things I learned this week: 1) Notre Dame proves postseason proficiency I … Read more

Irish eyes smile, River Hawks keep defense alive and one team (make that TWO teams) need to keep practicing

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After Notre Dame beat Boston College on the final day of the regular season, there was a reason to believe that the Irish could beat the Eagles in a best-of-three series. Still, it was difficult to pick Notre Dame. That leads the three things I learned this week: 1) Notre Dame proves postseason proficiency I … Read more

Hockey East picks: March 14-16

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Time to pick the quarterfinals. I may have been perfect in the opening round, but it’s difficult to pick a best-of-three. So often, if a team wins game one, they sweep. But this year’s Hockey East field is about a tightly stacked as possible. Thus, sweeps will be difficult. That said, even if I pick … Read more

A lack of surprises, Irish hope and rematches

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The biggest surprise in the opening weekend of the Hockey East playoffs was that there were not any surprises at all. That leads the list of things I learned this weekend in Hockey East: 1. Favorite survive single elimination Plenty was made about the first-round single elimination series in Hockey East, mostly that some very … Read more

Hockey East picks – March 7-8

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Just when I began getting cocky, karma put me back in my place last week. Jim last week: 4-4-1 Jim to-date: 147-66-28 (.668) Dave to-date: 123-65-24 (.637) Friday, March 7 #10 Massachusetts at #7 Vermont Jim’s pick: I think that Vermont has enough of the depth at each position to win this game and advance. … Read more

Notre Dame, Providence surging into playoffs; Maine, Northeastern not so much

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Notre Dame upsets No. 1 Boston College while Providence wins two at Maine. These two teams are playing their best hockey heading into the playoffs. That leads the three things I learned this week: 1. Irish upset Eagles to take six-game unbeaten streak into playoffs Notre Dame pulled off an impressive upset of the top-seeded … Read more

Hockey East picks – Feb. 28-Mar. 1

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Somehow Dave’s non-participation in picks has brought out the best in me. A near-perfect week last weekend. Jim last week: 8-0-2 Jim to date: 143-62-27 (.674) Date to date: 123-65-24 (.637) Friday, February 28 Northeastern at Boston University Jim’s pick: The Huskies come into Parker Rink and spoil Jack Parker Night. NU 4, BU 2 … Read more

Tightning races, Vermont earns overdue wins and a tie that feels like a win

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The fact that Boston College clinched the regular season title a night after Valentine’s Day hardly means that there won’t be excitement in Hockey East in the final weekend of the regular season. That is one of three things I learned this weekend in Hockey East: 1. League races from two through eight incredibly tight … Read more

Hockey East picks – Feb. 21-22

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With Dave on injured reserve, I went ahead and had my best week of the year to take a big lead in percentage points. Jim last week: 8-1-1 Jim to date: 135-62-25 (.664) Date to date: 123-65-24 (.637) Friday, Feb. 21 Massachusetts-Lowell at Boston College Jim’s pick: This is by far the most difficult series … Read more