Finding himself behind by two games, Jim had to gamble on underdogs and fell two more behind. I now lead by four games with three remaining. I like my chances. Dave last week: 8-0-0 Jim last week: 6-2-0 Dave’s record-to-date: 144-83-26 Jim’s record-to-date: 140-87-26 Here are this week’s picks: Friday, Mar. 16 #1 Boston College vs. #4 Boston University … Read more
These are the three things I think I learned this week. 1. The favorites all swept. The favorites didn’t just win, they swept. Top-seeded Boston College defeated tenth-seeded Merrimack, 1-0 and 4-3 (OT). No. 2 Northeastern took care of business against No. 8 Massachusetts, 3-2 and 7-2. No. 3 Providence edged Maine, 4-3 and 3-2. … Read more
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
New Hampshire fought down to the final minute in back-to-back losses to Maine in Hockey East first-round play. But their loss to rival Maine ended the illustrious career of bench boss Dick Umile. 1. The legendary career of Umile ends, but memories never will Minutes after Maine advanced past New Hampshire with a 3-1 win … 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 took until the end of the final game on Saturday for the pairings in the Hockey East first round to align, but once they did, there was a commonailty in all three series: rivals. 1. Battle of the Merrimack Valley UMass Lowell beat Merrimack, 5-0, on Saturday to earn split of the weekend series. … 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
These are the three things I think I learned this week. 1. Boston College remains in the driver’s seat. Factoring in Thursday’s win over Massachusetts, the Eagles posted two impressive road wins (5-2 over UMass and 5-0 over Maine) to stay two points ahead of Providence (plus a game in hand) and three ahead of … 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
New Hampshire paid tribute to its long-time head coach Dick Umile throughout the entire weekend.
After a week when Jim and I disagreed on almost everything, we agreed on every pick last week. Unfortunately. Dave last week: 6-4-2 Jim last week: 6-4-2 Dave’s record-to-date: 111-74-23 Jim’s record-to-date: 114-71-23 Here are this week’s picks: Friday, Feb. 9 UMass Lowell at Boston College Dave’s pick: I’m not sure I want to pick either team. BC has … Read more
Don’t look now but Vermont, left for dead a few weeks back, are suddenly hot and fighting for first-round home ice. That leads this week’s three things: 1. Unbeaten in five, Vermont is red hot Raise your hand if you saw a five-game unbeaten streak coming for Vermont. Put that hand down! No one called … Read more
Dave and I differed on a significant number of picks last week. That hasn’t happened often. Still, there wasn’t a lot of difference in the records (though I happily picked up a game). Jim last week: 7-4-1 Jim to date: 108-67-21 Dave last week: 6-5-1 Dave to date: 105-70-21 Friday, February 2 New Hampshire at … Read more
Maine and Connecticut each pulled off sweeps this weekend, allowing each to move up the standings with just four weekend left in the regular season. 1. Maine in top 4 race; UConn solidifies position in middle of standings Maine went on the road to win two at Massachusetts. Upon swept its two-game series with New Hampshire. … Read more
Dave and I had an equally mediocre week, which means I maintain a two-game lead in the overall standings. Jim last week: 5-4-2 Dave last week: 5-4-2 Jim to date: 101-63-20 Dave to date: 99-56-20 Friday, January 26 Vermont at Merrimack Jim’s pick: Given that UVM played well last weekend, I’m hoping they can hit … Read more
I had some serious concern that Boston University would even be in position to get a first-round bye heading into this weekend. That’s changed quickly and leads the three things I learned this weekend. 1. Sweep of Merrimack comes at perfect time for BU When combined with some idle teams and some timely ties and … Read more
Jim picked up a game for the second week in a row. Time for a U-turn. Dave last week: 8-3-2 Jim last week: 9-2-2 Dave’s record-to-date: 94-61-18 Jim’s record-to-date: 96-59-18 Here are this week’s picks: Friday, Jan. 19 Boston University at Merrimack Dave’s pick: I feel like the parent of a petulant two-year-old, saying for the umpteenth time, “This … Read more
These are the three things I think I learned. 1. Northeastern moves into prime position The Huskies took on one of the hottest teams in college hockey–Maine, who had gone 7-0-2 in its last nine–and swept! Putting nine goals past Jeremy Swayman is a feat, but the Huskies sure can score. With the two league … Read more
It’s been a while since either Dave or I have picked up a game on one another. I finally picked up a single game on Dave, but feel I shouldn’t gloat as both of us had disgustingly bad records last week. Jim last week: 5-3-4 Jim to date: 87-57-16 Dave last week: 4-4-4 Dave to … Read more
A 3-0 win for Maine over Boston University on Saturday night was more than just two points in the Hockey East standings for the two goaltenders involved. That lead this week’s three things: 1. Swayman wins bronze then makes history at BU Maine’s Jeremy Swayman and BU’s Jake Oettinger each had a bronze medal place … Read more