In 28 years, no team with a name other than Boston College, Boston University, Maine or New Hampshire ever won the Hockey East regular season title. Saturday night, that changed when Massachusetts-Lowell, a team that began the season 2-6-1 in league play, finished off an incredible late-season run to capture its first Hockey East regular … Read more
Many coaches have said that the Hockey East league title will come down to the final night of the regular season. All of them were correct. By virtue of Providence beating Massachusetts-Lowell, Boston College and Vermont skating to a 4-4 tie, and Maine’s victory over New Hampshire, tomorrow’s game between Lowell and Providence has virtually become … Read more
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
These are the three things I think I learned. 1. Northeastern’s season ends next week. When the Huskies managed only a single point in Orono, their season went from being on life support to a flat line. With a sweep of BU, they can catch Massachusetts for ninth place if the Minutemen also get swept … 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
Two weekends left and there is a three-way tie for the top spot in Hockey East. Should Massachusetts-Lowell and Boston University win make-up games on Tuesday night, there will be a four-way tie for first heading into next weekend. 1. Providence, New Hampshire and Boston College That’s your first-place trio atop Hockey East. Add the … 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
These are the three things I think I learned this week. 1. It’s anyone’s ballgame. Going into Sunday’s games, only four points separated first-place Merrimack from sixth-place Massachusetts-Lowell. At that point, all six teams had played exactly 20 games. (As a tribute to Warrior fans who years ago paid their dues and then some, I’ll … 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
I know that Dave talked a lot about Merrimack’s recent success in last week’s column, but with Sunday’s victory over Massachusetts, this season for the Warriors has taken on an entirely different different meaning. That leads the three things I learned in this (albeit) abbreviated weekend in Hockey East: 1. Merrimack now can focus on … 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
These are the three things I think I learned this week. 1. Merrimack has got to be the most underrated team in the league. I’ll admit it. As impressed as I was with the Warriors when I featured them in the column two weeks ago, I thought their outrageously difficult schedule down the stretch would … 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
The upset of the year, the comeback of the year and a rash of injuries. Those comprise three takeaways from this weekend in Hockey East: 1. Maine’s sweep of Boston College is far-and-away the upset of the year Yes, some people may have had high hopes for Maine entering this season. I was among that … 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
These are the three things I think I learned this week. 1. Being a Top 10 team means nothing. The upsets flew fast and furious over the weekend and none of Hockey East’s Top 10 teams were immune. Games that on paper appeared to be money in the bank instead became major withdrawals. On Friday … Read more
Congratulations to Boston College associate coach Mike Cavanaugh and legendary Boston Herald sportswriter John “Jocko” Connolly for the awards recently bestowed on them by the American Hockey Coaches Association. Jim and I hold Mike and Jocko in the highest regard. Their knowledge and passion for the sport are matched only by what great guys they … Read more
Though I had a pretty good week, Dave held right with me. Jim last week: 8-1-1 Dave last week: 8-1-1 Jim’s record-to-date: 73-47-12 Dave’s record-to-date: 80-40-12 Here are this week’s picks: Friday, Jan. 18 Massachusetts at Boston College Jim’s pick: With the way these two teams are headed, I can’t pick against BC. BC 4, … Read more
Remember those Hockey East standings that a few weeks back made it seem like there was a one, maybe two/three horse race, for the Hockey East title. Yeah, that’s all changed. That leads my three things I learned this week: 1. The Hockey East accordion: let’s squeeze it together The results this past weekend were … Read more
By now, everyone knows that Boston College coach Jerry York set the record for all-time winningest coach with his 925th victory against Alabama-Huntsville on December 29. But what if the Eagles had lost that night? (Yes, I know that BC is 13-3-2 and the Chargers are 3-17-1 so the premise seems far-fetched, but work with … Read more