Game picks by USCHO writers
What a strange season. In one of those if-the-season-were-to-end-today scenarios, seven CCHA teams would likely make the NCAA tournament; all seven of those teams are currently ranked. Lake Superior State just dropped out of the current rankings. To be honest, I don’t know what to think. In past years when the CCHA has appeared strong … Read more
Was there a more pathetic performance last weekend than my picks? I’ll give you Kyle Williams and Billy Cundiff but can you name a third? I didn’t think so. Dave last week: 4-6-0 Jim last week: 5-5-0 Dave’s record-to-date: 79-53-13 Jim’s record-to-date: 76-56-13 Here are this week’s picks: Friday, January 27 Maine at Boston University Dave’s pick: … Read more
Minnesota State (8-17-1, 4-13-1 WCHA) at Bemidji State (11-11-2, 5-9-2 WCHA) Tyler: Minnesota State had one of the worst power plays in the WCHA, but its clicking since Christmas, converting seven times in 26 attmepts. The Beavers are killing at a league-worst 76.4-percent rate over that stretch but this doesn’t make the Mavericks good enough to … Read more
Here we go…the last weekend of January is here. There’s ten games on tap for Friday and Saturday, including a pair of televised matchups tonight. Last week: 3-6 Overall: 37-37 Friday, Jan. 27 Brown at Dartmouth These are two teams that are maddeningly frustrating to figure out. Brown gets shut out by last place RPI … Read more
Last Week: 7-3-3 On the Season: 123-44-21 (.710) This Week’s Picks: Friday, Jan. 27 and Saturday, Jan. 28 Niagara vs. Robert Morris – The former CHA rivals are currently in fifth and third place, respectively, with just two points separating them. The teams, who tied 2-2 earlier this season, play at RMU on Friday and … Read more
It’s impossible that we’re in the third week of January — with only six weekends of regular-season hockey remaining — but here we are. How have I done this season? Sigh. My picks percentage is as brutal as the temperature this morning in Flint. Last week: 5-3-2 Season to date: 82-58-20 (.575) I am grateful … Read more
Nebraska-Omaha (11-9-4, 8-5-3 WCHA) at Minnesota State (7-16-1, 3-12-1 WCHA) Tyler: The goaltending job at UNO should be Ryan Massa’s to lose going into this weekend after his last two performances, holding Quinnipiac to one goal on 25 shots and Minnesota-Duluth to one goal on 44 shots. Minnesota State’s offense is not all that explosive … Read more
Well, we have some good news for many of you: even though this has already been a painfully long season for some, by the end of this weekend, the race for the league title will still be completely wide open. No one is on the brink of any mathematical eliminations (yet). Nate: I’m a little … Read more
Neither Dave nor I had stellar weeks, but at least I picked up a game on the old man (finally!) Jim’s last week: 5-3-1 Dave’s last week: 4-4-1 Jim’s record-to-date: 71-51-13 Dave’s record-to-date: 75-47-13 Friday, January 20 Providence at BU Jim’s pick: Love the way the Terriers are playing right now. Providence, not so much. … Read more
Last Week: 9-2-1 On the Season: 116-41-18 (.714) This Week’s Picks: Friday, Jan. 20 and Saturday, Jan. 21 Air Force at Army – Always a highly anticipated series, these games have been sold out for a week and Friday’s contest will be carried by CBS Sports Network. Air Force is 0-5-1 in its last six … Read more
It’s Friday the 13th. Could there be anything scarier than my picks percentage? Last week: 6-3-4 Season to date: 77-55-18 (.573) One of my better weeks. I’m beginning to think, though, that certain teams should pay me to pick against them. This week It’s a full slate of CCHA hockey, including Sunday’s Frozen Diamond game … Read more
Here’s a look at the upcoming weekend, highlighted by Union and Harvard’s matchup at Fenway Park tonight. Brian and I will both be there, so be sure to follow along: @SullivanHockey and @Nate_Owen41. Last Week: 7-9 Overall: 28-23 Friday, January 13 Brown at St. Lawrence Another one-point weekend isn’t going to do it for Brown. … Read more
I could have resorted to the four-corners offense last week — you youngsters out there will need to look that one up on Wikipedia — but I didn’t. I went against Jim’s picks in three of the five games and almost went three-for-three. But as Meatloaf once sang — more Wikipedia research there for you, kids … Read more
No. 1 Minnesota-Duluth (14-3-3, 10-2-2 WCHA) at Nebraska-Omaha (10-8-4, 7-4-3 WCHA) Tyler: The CenturyLink Center is a big building that’s going to be packed and wild this weekend to greet the nation’s No. 1 team. So was Western Michigan’s barn but the Bulldogs went in and pushed the Mustnags around in UMD sweep last weekend. UNO’s top … Read more
Last Week: 9-2-2 On the Season: 107-39-17 (.709) This Week’s Picks: Friday, Jan. 13 and Saturday, Jan. 14 Army at Niagara – The Purple Eagles return to the friendly confines for the first time since Nov. 15, a span of 11 games. It’s Army’s first trip to Dwyer Arena since 2001. I think the Purple … Read more
No. 5 Notre Dame (12-6-3, 8-3-3-0 CCHA) at No. 3 Minnesota (15-6-1, 11-3-0 WCHA) Saturday only Brian: The Irish have proven to be notoriously slow starters thus far this season having allowed the game’s first goal in 12 of 21 games and fallen behind by two in half of those contests. Opponents have outscored Notre Dame … Read more
Oh, my friends, how poorly I fared for the holiday tournaments. Last week: 6-8-0 Season to date: 71-52-14 (.569) The week There is a lot of action this week, including games that pit ranked teams from a couple of different conferences against ranked CCHA teams. Days and times are noted in each series or game. … Read more
Happy Friday and welcome to this week’s edition of WCHA picks (brief pause to allow the applause to die down). Today we give you five of the weekend’s seven match-ups as we focus on the Friday-Saturday series. But wait, there’s more! As an added bonus, check back tomorrow for a special Saturday picks blog as … Read more
It’s been a while since I caught a good load of flak for my hard work and insight, so I figured it was time to make some new predictions. Have at ye! Friday, January 6 Harvard at Union Brian – Harvard’s tie at NoDak last weekend – along with its play through the holiday break … Read more
Welcome to the New Year! Hopefully I can do something to close the old man’s gap in the picks department. Jim’s last week: 9-6-2 Dave’s last week: 10-5-2 Jim’s record-to-date: 64-46-11 Dave’s record-to-date: 68-42-11 Saturday, January 7 Merrimack at BU Jim’s pick: Even though they’re at home, I don’t have much confidence in BU right … Read more