Game picks by USCHO writers
Well, Dave pulled the rabbit out of his (expletive) last weekend perfectly picking the Vermont-Mass series. Thus, I’m going to have to correctly pick a couple of upsets this week or else the old man will be the champion, despite having trailed the entire season. Jim last week: 3-4-0 Dave last week: 5-2-0 Jim to … Read more
We have entered the quarterfinal round of the playoffs. Quinnipiac was the only lower seed that moved on at the No. 9 seed so it will go No. 1 vs. No. 9, No. 2 vs. No. 7, No. 3 vs. No. 6 and No. 4 vs. No. 5 Last time: 6-4-2 Overall: 66-45-12 No. 9 … Read more
Friday-Sunday, March 9-11 Colorado College at No. 4 Denver Candace: CC has turned Magness Arena back into World Arena North, as it did about a decade ago, but I think Denver is going to tough it out. I’m also wondering how the CC goaltenders’ confidence will be after getting shelled by Western Michigan last Saturday. … Read more
Conference playoff season is upon us, and it might be the most fun part of college hockey in my humble opinion. The best-of-three series, to me, most closely resemble “playoff hockey” — there’s something about playoff series rather than single-elimination tournaments that rewards consistency rather than puck luck. (Of course, those winner-take all elimination games … Read more
Last week: Dan: 4-5-1 Chris: 6-3-1 On the season: Dan: 96-85-25 (.527) Chris: 106-75-25 (.575) This Week’s Picks Friday, March 2 – Sunday, March 4 Atlantic Hockey First Round Best Of Three Series No. 11 Sacred Heart at No. 6 Rochester Institute of Technology Chris: The teams split two weeks ago and I think they’ll … Read more
It’s the final weekend of the NCHC regular season, and only one of the first-round series is actually set. We know Denver and Minnesota Duluth will be home for the first round, but we don’t know who they will play, or who the final home ice team is. Last week, I gained another game on … Read more
Playoff hockey gets underway this weekend in the ECAC, as the fifth through twelfth place teams will meet across four best-of-three series set to begin on Friday night. It’s worth noting that no lower-seeded team has won a first-round playoff series since 2015, when ninth-seeded Rensselaer beat eighth-seeded Clarkson. I’m picking all of the higher-seeded … Read more
It’s playoff hockey time! I’m excited for the new format this year, from the best-of-three series to the campus sites to the single-elimination games that begin next week. Here’s how Drew Claussen and I did with picks during the regular season. Last week Drew: 6-2-0 (.750) Paula: 5-3-1 (.625) This season Drew: 92-51-14 (.631) Paula: … Read more
Amazing. After 22 weeks of the regular season, Dave and I have the exact same record. It’s almost impossible to believe. The postseason will be the deciding factor this year. May the best man win. Jim last week: 5-3-1 Jim to date: 131-81-26 Dave last week: 6-2-1 Dave to date: 131-81-26 Hockey East playoffs – … Read more
It’s the last weekend of the regular season. There’s still a MacNaughton Cup championship to be decided, plus three playoff spots and four teams left to claim them. What’s going to happen? Let’s find out! Lake Superior State at Ferris State The Lakers have gotten themselves back into playoff contention thanks to a four-game win … Read more
I extended my lead on Matthew last week thanks to Denver and Duluth, as I went 6-1-1 (.813) while Matthew went 4-3-1 (.563). On the year, I am now 90-52-20 (.617), while Matthew is 86-56-20 (.592). Two weekends are left, so let’s see how it plays out! Friday-Saturday, Feb. 23-24 No. 12 North Dakota at … Read more
The final weekend of regular-season Big Ten hockey is here! My writing partner Drew Claussen’s pick record and mine has nearly converged as the season has progressed, and I’m happy to say that we’re both on track to finish the season above .500. Last week Drew: 3-2-1 (.583) Paula: 3-2-1 (.583) This season Drew: 86-49-14 … Read more
I remain a game behind Jim despite a stellar week. Dave last week: 7-2-0 Jim last week: 7-2-0 Dave’s record-to-date: 125-79-25 Jim’s record-to-date: 126-78-25 Here are this week’s picks: Friday, Feb. 23 Maine at Boston College Dave’s pick: The Eagles win convincingly to clinch at least a share of the regular season title. BC 4, Maine 1 Jim’s pick: … Read more
Well we’ve reached the final weekend of the regular season and there’s plenty of things that still need to be decided. All games are 7 p.m. puck drops. Last time: 7-3-2 Overall: 60-41-10 Friday, Feb. 23 Harvard at Brown It’s unknown if Ryan Donato will play this weekend after his stellar performance at the Olympics. … Read more
Last week: Dan: 3-6 Chris: 2-7 On the season: Dan: 92-80-24 (.531) Chris: 100-72-24 (.571) This Week’s Picks Thursday, February 22 American International at Holy Cross Chris: The teams played last Saturday in Springfield, with AIC coming out on top, 1-0. This is the Crusaders final game of the season, and therefore their last chance … Read more
Last week: Dan: 5-7 Chris: 3-9 On the season: Dan: 89-74-24 (.540) Chris: 98-65-24 (.588) This Week’s Picks Friday, February 16 and Saturday, February 17 Army West Point at Bentley Chris: Army West Point will look to spoil the opening of Bentley’s new Arena. I’m thinking the Falcons will be extra psyched to open their … Read more
Matthew and I went 3-1 last weekend, so I still have a two-game lead in our picks race, as I am 84-51-19 on the year, while Matthew is 82-53-19. Here’s the weekend that could decide the season though, so let’s see which of us comes out on top. Friday-Saturday, Feb. 16-17 No. 2 Denver vs … Read more
It’s the penultimate weekend of regular-season play — you know I’ve been waiting all season to use that word — and this is how Drew Claussen and I have come through it so far. Last week Drew: 2-3-1 (.416) Paula: 2-3-1 (.416) This season Drew: 83-46-13 (.630) Paula: 86-43-13 (.651) This week Everyone but Wisconsin … Read more
Dave picked up two games last weekend which means this race is as tight as it can get with a few weeks left. Jim last week: 5-5-2 Jim to date: 119-76-25 Dave last week: 7-3-2 Dave to date: 118-77-25 Friday, February 16 New Hampshire at Merrimack Jim’s pick: Not sure either team is playing that … Read more
Here’s a look at the second-to-last weekend of the regular season in ECAC Hockey. All games start at 7 p.m. Last time: 8-5 Overall: 54-32-11 Yale at Colgate Yale’s offense has been clicking lately, as the Bulldogs have scored at least three goals in four straight games, all wins. Colgate has only two wins over … Read more