Game picks by USCHO writers
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
Note from Tyler: Congratulations to Joe Paisley, who is once again working full-time at the Colorado Springs Gazette. I was glad to work with a professional writer like Joe this season and it’s even better to see a fellow writer working in a full-time capacity on his regular beat once again. Matthew Semisch, a sixth-year … Read more
Last week: 5-3-4 Overall: 79-75-27 Eight teams are bunched within three points of each other, so this weekend could either untangle the mess that currently is the ECAC standings, or bunch together either further. The Northeast is set to be hit with a potentially devastating snow storm this weekend. Two games Saturday (Yale at Brown, … Read more
I knew last time out was a fluke. I’m sure you did, too. Last week: 2-6-2 (.300) Season to date: 97-69-25 (.573) I should have flipped a coin. This week There are five CCHA series this week with Lake Superior State taking a bye week. Every series is Friday-Saturday — unless that winter storm throws … Read more
Did someone actually say “bet the ranch” when predicting yet another Boston University Beanpot win over Northeastern? Well, that was hyperbole, you see. Officially, USCHO deplores all forms of gambling. (Except, of course, when Jim and I play poker. That isn’t gambling. That’s separating fools from their money.) As for how the two of us … Read more
No. 7 North Dakota at No. 14 Nebraska-Omaha Joe: A lot has been made of the outdoor game but this series will be decided by North Dakota offense, which must attack the net against UNO’s defense, which is seventh overall in the WCHA. UND will, but expect UNO senior John Faulkner to steal one win. … Read more
Last Week: 9-3-1 On the Season: 113-52-24 (.661) A snow storm is predicted to hit the Northeast this weekend, affecting travel from Boston to Buffalo. There’s a good chance some of these games will be postponed, especially since the majority are home-and-home series, meaning the teams will be traveling between the games. Check back for … Read more
Last Week: 5-4-2 On the Season: 104-49-22 (.656) This Week’s Picks: Friday, Feb. 1 and Saturday, Feb. 2 Bentley at Niagara – This is the final weekend of East-West pod play in the AHA, which means Bentley is the last team to see the Purple Eagles this season. After this, Niagara plays its second … Read more
Last Friday night was … well, it was magical. For me. For my picks. Last week: 10-2-0 (.833) Season to date: 95-63-23 (.588) No chance of a picks week that good again. Ever. This week There are five CCHA series this weekend. Northern Michigan is idle. All series are Friday-Saturday and all times are local. … 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
No. 10 Denver at Minnesota-Duluth Joe: The Pioneers’ first visit to the “new” Amsoil Arena will be a tough one against a still-inconsistent UMD squad that has improved over the course of the season. I expect Denver to bounce back following a bye week with a superior defensive effort to earn a road split. Tyler: … Read more
Last week: 6-4 Overall: 74-72-23 It’s the weekend before Beanpot Monday, but the biggest game in the ECAC is happening Saturday night in New Haven when Quinnipiac and Yale meet at Ingalls Rink. Brian Sullivan and I will both be there, so follow along on Twitter: @Nate_Owen41 and @SullivanHockey. Once again, all games are 7 … Read more
Last Week: 11-2 On the Season: 99-45-21 (.663) This Week’s Picks: Friday, Jan. 25 and Saturday, Jan. 26 Robert Morris at Air Force – The Falcons won the first meeting between the two teams, 4-1 back on Oct. 27. Air Force has won six of the last eight meetings between these former CHA opponents, including four … Read more
My second-half swoon is temporarily on hold. Last week: 8-5-0 (.615) Season to date: 85-61-23 (.571) Any week above .500 is a very good week for me, indeed. This week Everybody plays this week. There are five conference series and one Big Ten Hockey preview in East Lansing. All series are Friday-Saturday. Times are local. … Read more
Alaska-Anchorage at No. 20 Wisconsin Joe: The league’s No. 2 defense should be enough for the Badgers to get three points against the struggling Seawolves, who average only 1.91 goals (last in the WCHA), but usually manage one good game a weekend. Tyler: The Badgers defense held the Seawolves to 12 shots in a game … Read more
Okay, I admit it. Last week was an unmitigated disaster. But come on, who out there was picking Massachusetts, Northeastern, and Providence to all knock off Hockey East’s Top 10 teams? You over there, with your hand up. Liar, liar, pants on fire! Fortunately, Jim’s picks matched my own for ineptitude so we stayed even. … Read more
Last week: 6-4-1 Overall: 68-68-23 First place Quinnipiac is off again this weekend, while travel partner Princeton concludes its exam break Sunday with a non-conference matchup against Sacred Heart. All start times are 7 p.m. unless noted. Friday, Jan. 25 Brown at Colgate He’s not going to approach the numbers the Austin Smith posted last … Read more
Here’s the picks for a pair of rare Tuesday games. Both start at 7 p.m. Connecticut at Quinnipiac The Bobcats were off this past weekend, but still rose to No. 2 in the latest USCHO.com poll, the highest ever for the program. Despite being in the same state, these teams haven’t played since Nov. 1 … Read more