Game picks by USCHO writers
For a while there, my plummeting position in the picks race was starting to resemble the September, 2011 Red Sox. I became so despondent, I had to console myself with a bucket of fried chicken. Fortunately, the proper order to the universe has been restored, which means my lead widened by another two games last … Read more
The last regular-season weekend of the CCHA was exciting. It was also difficult — and I’m not talking about my picks. Last week: 8-3-1 (.708) Season to date: 118-86-29 (.569) I don’t know how that happened. This week We begin the CCHA playoffs this weekend with three best-of-three series at single sites. Times are local. … Read more
Last week: 9-2-1 Final regular season record: 100-95-31 Three of the four teams that had a bye last year are in action during this weekend’s first round – all on the road. Cornell, Colgate, and Harvard all have a bit longer trip if they want to make it back to Atlantic City in two weeks. … Read more
No. 8 St. Cloud State at No. 14 Wisconsin: Matthew: Thanks to the Wisconsin high school state basketball championships going on at UW’s Kohl Center, this series will take place at Madison, Wis.’s much older Veterans Memorial Coliseum. Many Badgers fans aren’t over the moon about it – the two games aren’t part of the … Read more
Last week: 6-5-1 Overall: 91-93-30 I hit a bit of a slump down the stretch, so I’ll need a hot finish to push me over .500 for the year. Regardless, there’s a lot of the line in the ECAC’s final weekend of the regular season. Check Brian Sullivan’s post from earlier this week for … Read more
Last Week: 7-6-1 On the Season: 129-68-27 (.636) This Week’s Picks: Friday, March 1 and Saturday, March 2 Niagara at Air Force – The Purple Eagles can almost guarantee themselves an at-large bid in the NCAA tournament with a sweep. At most, Niagara can lose two more games after this weekend, and that probably … Read more
No. 16 Wisconsin at No. 13 Nebraska-Omaha: Tyler: In a battle of two teams that need two wins, I’m giving UNO a slight edge but I’m not going with a sweep. If the Badgers settle into their structured defensive style and take away UNO’s speed, they’ll have chance to come away with a win, but … Read more
Dave may have felt he was done in by the Curse of Nicole. Personally, I was done in by the Curse of Making Bad Picks. The white flag is in my hand right now, just about ready to be waved. Jim last week: 5-5-1 Jim to date: 94-71-20 Dave last week: 7-3-1 Dave to date: … Read more
I think that this is the first time in my tenure as CCHA columnist for USCHO.com that I’m glad that all 11 teams make the playoffs. I’ve never been an advocate of letting everyone into the playoffs. I like the idea of someone not having played well enough to earn a chance to make it … Read more
Note: Penn State and Wisconsin are set to take part in a rare Sunday-Monday series in Madison, Wis.. The two-game set was pushed back due to the Wisconsin high school wrestling championships taking place at UW’s Kohl Center over the past few days. Penn State at No. 18 Wisconsin: Matthew: I can’t get over a … Read more
Last week: 3-7-1 Overall: 85-88-29 Quinnipiac’s unbeaten streak finally ended last weekend. Now the Bobcats will be looking for their second win this month against local rival Yale. That game, which will be televised nationally on NBC Sports Network, is the highlight of the weekend, along with senior nights for Princeton, Clarkson, St. Lawrence, Cornell, … Read more
Last Week: 7-5-1 On the Season: 122-62-26 (.643) This Week’s Picks: Friday, Feb. 22 and Saturday, Feb. 23 Holy Cross vs. AIC – The Yellow Jackets are one of the hottest teams in the league while the Crusaders had a huge stumble on Tuesday, a 7-3 loss to previously winless Sacred Heart. I’m reversing … Read more
As we head into the penultimate weekend of CCHA regular-season play — ever — here’s how I’ve done so far. Last week: 3-6-1 (.350) Season to date: 106-79-26 (.564) I suppose I should content myself with the possibility of an overall regular-season picks record above .500. This week With two weekends left, every game in … Read more
Last week, I was struck by the Curse of Nicole. Let me explain. Nicole, my daughter, was offended that I picked Boston College to defeat Northeastern in the Beanpot championship game. (She and her husband Greg are Northeastern graduates.) When she found out that Jim had picked the Huskies, she told me that he was … Read more
No. 6 North Dakota at No. 10 Denver: Matthew: In only picking up one point from a possible four last time out against intrastate rival Colorado College, DU missed an opportunity to keep its name on the still fairly large list of WCHA teams that still have a realistic chance of winning the league’s regular … Read more
Last Week: 2-5-1 (first time since the opening weekend of the season that The Picks were under .500) On the Season: 115-57-25 (.647) This Week’s Picks: Thursday, Feb. 15 and Saturday, Feb. 16 Canisius at Air Force – This series should feature some good goaltending, Tony Capobianco and Jason Torf are third and fourth, … Read more
Last week: 3-6-1 Overall: 82-81-28 For all the talk of the balance in the ECAC, its possible the regular season title will be wrapped up Monday with two weekends left in the season. Quinnipiac hosts St. Lawrence and Clarkson needing two points to clinch its first-ever Cleary Cup. But there is still plenty else to … Read more
No. 2 Minnesota at No. 18 Wisconsin Friday; in Chicago Sunday Matthew: A very tough recent slate of games has seen Minnesota fall into a pattern of not picking up maximum points from each series over recent weeks, and I see that happening again this time around. I doubt a noticeable home-ice advantage will be … Read more
I picked up a game on the old man last week, but at this point that’s not going to help much. Let’s see if Dave plays prevent defense this week as I’m the one picking first. Jim last week: 3-2-1 Dave last week: 2-3-1 Jim’s record to date: 84-64-17 Dave’s record to date: 90-58-17 Friday, … Read more
Please forgive my omission of a pick for the Tuesday Northern Michigan-Michigan Tech game. Some Februaries are more challenging than others. Last week: 6-4-0 (.600) Season to date: 103-73-25 (.575) Certainly better than last week — and it would have been much better, had Ohio State and Alaska split in the way that I had … Read more