Jim Connelly

I know that Dave talked a lot about Merrimack’s recent success in last week’s column, but with Sunday’s victory over Massachusetts, this season for the Warriors has taken on an entirely different different meaning. That leads the three things I learned in this (albeit) abbreviated weekend in Hockey East: 1. Merrimack now can focus on … Read more

Many around the TD Garden on Monday night were buzzing about the thought that 60 years of Beanpot history could finally be rewritten. And then Boston College went and ruined it all. After Northeastern’s 3-2 upset of Boston University in the opening game, many wondered if for the first time in the 61-year history of … Read more

Seriously, I’m not sure what is worse at this point: my ability to pick games or the fact that I can’t make any head way on the old man. Miserable week all around last weekend. Jim last week: 3-5-2 Jim’s record-to-date: 78-57-15 Dave last week: 3-5-2 Dave’s record-to-date: 85-50-15 Friday, Feb, 1 Vermont at Boston … Read more

The upset of the year, the comeback of the year and a rash of injuries. Those comprise three takeaways from this weekend in Hockey East: 1. Maine’s sweep of Boston College is far-and-away the upset of the year Yes, some people may have had high hopes for Maine entering this season. I was among that … Read more

Boston University overcame an early 2-0 deficit, scoring the game’s final three goals, to edge Providence 3-2 on Friday at Schneider Arena to take the front half of a home-and-home series. The game’s offensive hero, unfortunately for BU, also turned out to be its biggest casualty. Evan Rodrigues tallied twice, but then left the game … Read more

Though I had a pretty good week, Dave held right with me. Jim last week: 8-1-1 Dave last week: 8-1-1 Jim’s record-to-date: 73-47-12 Dave’s record-to-date: 80-40-12 Here are this week’s picks: Friday, Jan. 18 Massachusetts at Boston College Jim’s pick: With the way these two teams are headed, I can’t pick against BC. BC 4, … Read more

It’s not too often that NHL teams take chances on drafting collegiate goaltenders, so when you have two goalies squaring off whose rights are held by NHL clubs, expectations for a goaltender’s duel are pretty high. On Thursday, fans expecting such a duel got one and then some as Providence rookie Jon Gillies, a draft … Read more

Remember those Hockey East standings that a few weeks back made it seem like there was a one, maybe two/three horse race, for the Hockey East title. Yeah, that’s all changed. That leads my three things I learned this week: 1. The Hockey East accordion: let’s squeeze it together The results this past weekend were … Read more

For much of Saturday’s game between No. 3 Boston College and No. 4 New Hampshire, penalties threatened to derail the visiting Eagles. With five minutes left in regulation, they finally did. Just 13 seconds into their seventh power play of the night – which included a five-minute major and a full two-minute 5-on-3 advantage – … Read more

No. 17 Yale did everything it could to go on the road to earn a victory. The only thing missing from it matchup with No. 2 Boston College was an actual victory. The Bulldogs outshot the Eagles 48-22 and for the most part of the game, manhandled the team that just a few weeks ago … Read more