Game picks by USCHO writers
Bemidji State vs. No. 2 New Hampshire Joe: Bemidji State was too sloppy with the puck, negating a strong first period and squandering a 2-0 lead in a 4-3 loss to UMass in the tournament opener. The Beavers cannot afford that against a top-tier team. Wildcats win in schools’ first-ever meeting. Tyler: It’s hard to … Read more
Bemidji State vs. Massachusetts, Ledyard Bank Classic, Sunday Joe: Bemidji State, 2-1-1 in its last four games, takes on UMass (5-9-2) which is 1-4 in its last five games and has only four players in double figures in points, led by junior Braden Gracel with 13 (seven goals). The other semifinal pits host No. 2 … Read more
How did I miss the Niagara-Bowling Green game tonight? Too much eggnog, I reckon. The game has begun and the Falcons are up 1-0 already. I’d pick them to win regardless, but I’m willing to put this one in the “L” column for my personal picks for the lateness of its arrival. And apologies to … Read more
Air Force, No. 1 Boston College at No. 4 Minnesota, Mariucci Classic, Saturday and Sunday Joe: No. 1 and Hockey East-leading Boston College (11-2-1) will get head coach Jerry York his all-time wins mark against Alabama-Huntsville (3-14-1) on Dec. 29, taking pressure off the Eagles to focus on the real task at hand; beating the … Read more
Last time: 2-1 On the season: 61-32-119(.629) It’s tournament time! For many teams, it’s the last chance to play out of conference this season. Fans and players love tournaments because there’s a little extra something to play for. That said, with Festivus still on my mind, here are my list of grievances: The number of … Read more
While in Florida visiting family for the holiday and failing to thwart my mother’s attempts to ruin my diet, I had an interesting conversation with one of my parents’ Christmas dinner guests. “So, Paula, I hear you’re in Flint now,” said the guest, a lovely lady approximately the age of my mother, Dolly Weston. That … Read more
Well, it’s just about the New Year, which personally I hope translates to much improved success in picking these games. To this point, I’m six games behind my elderly elder. Seeing as there is no column this week, we decided to take a bit of an expanded look at each of the upcoming weekend’s holiday … Read more
Overall: 42-41-19 Winter break is coming for an end for most teams, and several ECAC team are participating in the numerous holiday tournaments across the country. (Check out the complete tournament breakdown here). There are a lot of games between now and Monday, so I’ll roll out the picks in waves. All times are 7 … Read more
Welcome back to the WCHA Blog after a week off. This week’s games are spaced out from Thursday to Monday with some teams facing opponents to be determined in their second games of the weekend, so we’ll release the picks in waves. Look for the next set of picks Saturday. RPI at No. 16 St. … Read more
Last week: 4-4-4 Overall: 42-39-19 I really should have titled this post “North Country picks,” as St. Lawrence and Clarkson are the only ECAC teams in action this weekend. Enjoy the holidays and be sure to check back next week for a first-half wrap-up Saturday, Dec. 15 Mercyhurst at Clarkson., 7 p.m. Clarkson has put … Read more
Last week: 7-2-3 On the season: 59-31-19 (.628) This Week’s Picks: Saturday, Dec. 15: Mercyhurst at Clarkson – Clarkson is coming off a big sweep of archrival St. Lawrence while the Lakers split with American International last weekend. I’m going with the home team. Clarkson wins. Robert Morris at Penn State – The teams will meet … Read more
Last week? Not so good as the week before … Last week: 4-4-2 (.500) Season to date: 63-35-18 (.621) I am grateful to be above .500 overall nearing the midway point of the season. This week It’s rare in mid-December for nearly everyone to play, but that’s how it is this weekend in the CCHA … Read more
Minnesota State at Nebraska-Omaha Joe: Minnesota State is on a roll, but commenters have a very legitimate concern when they point out the six wins in a row are against bottom-tier teams. That means MSU is good (beating the teams they should) but not that good (only 1-5 against top-tier teams Denver, Minnesota and St. … Read more
Alabama-Huntsville at Wisconsin Joe: The Badgers will get their first win in the Kohl Center though both games should be close. Sweep. Tyler: I think the only way Wisconsin loses a game this weekend is if its goaltending doesn’t replicate the great performances it’s had all season and if the offense continues to be a … Read more
Last week: 4-4-1 On the season: 52-29-16 (.619) This Week’s Picks: Friday, Dec. 7 and Saturday, Dec. 8: Air Force at Bentley – The Battle of the Falcons is a tough one to pick. I’m going with a split. Bentley has done better the second night of a series so far, so that’s the order I’ll … Read more
Well, they say this is the season of miracles. Last week: 8-2-1 (.773) Season to date: 59-31-16 (.630) I counted Tuesday’s pick of the MTU-NMU game. This week There are four CCHA series and one nonconference set. All series are Friday-Saturday and single site except for the Robert Morris-Ohio State series, which is home-and-home. All … Read more
Jimmy and I only disagreed on a single game last week. Which means we both got shellacked on Friday and had to make do with modest Saturday comebacks. Even though he picked up a game on me, I’m still ahead by five so I’ll be heading into the holidays with a nice cushion barring a cataclysmic collapse. … Read more
Here are our predictions for this weekend: No. 6 Denver at No. 9 North Dakota Joe: The key for UND will be reviving its 37th-ranked power play (15.1 percent) against a solid DU penalty kill (86.4 percent overall). They will at home against a DU squad motivated to pick up some of the points lost … Read more
Last week: 6-4-2 Overall: 38-35-15 We’re at the unofficial halfway point of the college hockey season, with most teams winding down the pre-holiday break portion of their schedules this weekend. All games are at 7 p.m. unless noted. Friday, Dec. 7 Colgate at Massachusetts I realize all-time records mean little, especially considering there’s a lot … Read more
There’s a game tonight between Michigan Tech and Northern Michigan. It’s a Tuesday. As the kids say, WTF — which stands, of course, for “What Tremendous Fun!” Michigan Tech at Northern Michigan. At home last weekend, the Huskies lost to and tied Minnesota-Duluth, 7-3 and 4-4. Late in the third period and down 4-2, MTU … Read more