Game picks by USCHO writers
Boy, the 2020-21 season keeps having curveballs sent its way with last-minute changes, series cancellations, and quick reschedulings. However, no one can accuse it of being anything other than amazing that it has gone as smoothly as it has. Six teams see action this weekend, with four playing for points. Should make for more exciting … Read more
Last weekend, my only flaw was reversing the nights of the Denver and Omaha wins. Overall, I was 6-2, while Matthew was 5-3. On the year, I am 28-18-6, while Matthew is 25-21-6. There are some canceled games due to COVID-19 this weekend, but we still have two series on the docket. Friday-Saturday, Jan. 29-30 … Read more
Ties through 65 minutes were the way of Hockey East last weekend as four of the eight games went down as ties with the extra league point decided in a shootout. Five games, in fact, went to overtime, which continues to highlight just how close things are in Hockey East. Jim last week: 4-0-4 Marisa … Read more
At A Glance: Last week’s record: 3-1 Overall Record: 46-23-1 This Week’s Picks*: *All games are subject to change. Thursday, January 28 Mercyhurst at Rochester Institute of Technology Dan: I expect RIT to come out with a house of fire after missing the last three to four weeks or so. That type of energy should … Read more
Another week winding down and another weekend of hockey on the horizon. Sadly, the situation going on at the University of Michigan reminds us that the latter is still not a guarantee. The Wolverines were scheduled to have this weekend off, and Arizona State is spending some well-deserved time at home, so we have three … Read more
Hockey East announced a new scheduling format this week to avoid cancellations, announcing which games will be played at the start of the week. Northeastern misses another week and teams scramble to change opponents, or, as we call it in the 2020-21 season, a normal week. So, throw out your old schedules and embrace the … Read more
Well, a power outage in Upper Michigan does not slow down the WCHA schedule. Three series to watch this weekend and at least two of them carry interesting storylines with the third being a bit of a toss-up depending on how youth competes against experience. Bowling Green at Bemidji State Jack: A nonconference series … Read more
Matthew tied me last week on the first night of play, but I picked up a game overall on the week. We were both dismal last week though, as I went 2-4 and Matthew was 1-5. On the year, I am I am 22-16-6, while Matthew is 20-16-6. This is the first full weekend of … Read more
At A Glance: Last week’s record: 3-1 Overall Record: 43-22-1 This Week’s Picks*: *All games are subject to change. Thursday, January 21 and Friday, January 22 Army West Point at Holy Cross Dan: Holy Cross returned to the ice last Sunday after missing nearly a full month. The Crusaders lost to AIC, 1-0, but the … Read more
Last week: 1-3 Overall: 11-16-4 It’s another full schedule in ECAC Hockey this weekend, as first-place Quinnipiac will look to extend its shutout streak to four games when it visits Clarkson, while Colgate heads to St. Lawrence looking to snap a four-game winless streak. Here’s a look at those two series. Colgate vs. St. … Read more
After Notre Dame tightened up the B1G standings with a sweep of Minnesota last week, it’s starting to feel like the conference could open up a little — especially since the Golden Gophers play a nonconference set against Arizona State this week. It’s a full slate of action for the league, but first let’s see … Read more
More conference action this weekend as Minnesota State takes its hot start on the road back to the U.P. of Michigan to face the Lake Superior State Lakers, who are also still playing well. In the other series, we see the Northern Michigan Wildcats hit the road to face the Bowling Green Falcons, which could … Read more
Last week, I went one-up on Matthew in our season picks race, thanks to North Dakota. I was 3-2-1, while Matthew was 2-3-1. On the year, I am 20-12-6, while Matthew is 19-11-6. Friday-Saturday, Jan. 15-16 St. Cloud State at Western Michigan Candace: I still don’t have a good handle on the Broncos, but it … Read more
Last week: 1-4-1 Overall: 10-13-4 The first North Country series of the year highlights the ECAC schedule this weekend, while Quinnipiac and Colgate met for the first time this year as well. Here’s a look at both of those series. St. Lawrence vs. Clarkson Friday 5 p.m. at Clarkson Sunday 4 p.m. at St. Lawrence … Read more
Bold of us to assume the games get in as scheduled this time around, but let’s give it a go. Boston University already had two series canceled; first with UMass Lowell, then with UMass, and UMass’ Wednesday game with Providence was also nixed. It’s a mess, but our picks have been solid. Jim last week: … Read more
There is six inches of fresh snow here in Minnesota and it’s still falling, which is a great excuse to stay inside this weekend and enjoy the full slate of college hockey that’s on the schedule. And the NHL is back! Exciting times indeed. First let’s check on how Paula and I did last week. … Read more
At A Glance: Last week’s record: 6-3 Overall Record: 40-21-1 This Week’s Picks*: *All games are subject to change. Wednesday, January 13 LIU at American International Dan: LIU hasn’t played since its January 2 game at AIC, a game won by the Yellow Jackets, 2-1. AIC, meanwhile, is the team looking to play any team, … Read more
In this space last week, I knocked on wood saying that barring COVID setbacks, last week would produce the busiest week for Hockey East since the restart. All of those games went off without a hitch. But that seems like a distant memory as both UConn and UMass Lowell have COVID tests in recent days … Read more
This week in the Big Ten, there are a couple of good, old-fashioned, long-standing rivalries to help distract us from the news of the world. In fact, all seven B1G teams plus guest Arizona State play this weekend. First, let’s take a look at how Drew Claussen and I are doing with picks — and … Read more
We hit the second weekend of WCHA action with the Bowling Green Falcons looking awfully good so far. They are continuing to impress with a high-flying offense led by their top line. Also in action this weekend are the Lake Superior State Lakers who have, by all accounts, gotten off to a very strong start, … Read more