I probably learned more than three things about Hockey East this weekend. At least I think so. But that’s our Monday morning format, which also leaves me something for the mid-week column. So here are the three most significant things I think I learned. Three: Boston College dodged a celebration bullet. Imagine the scene on … Read more
Well, this has been one very ugly start for me and I find myself in a hole to the old man (aka Dave) early. Hopefully I can stop the bleeding here in week 3. Jim last week: 5-3-1 Dave last week: 7-1-1 Jim’s record-to-date: 5-6-1 Dave’s record-to-date: 8-3-1 This week’s picks: Friday, Oct. 19 Boston College … Read more
The Hockey East slate of game has barely begun and already I sit here with my jaw dropped. The team that made the jaw hit the floor, of course, is Northeastern. The Huskies pulled a minor upset midweek, knocking off newly-ranked Merrimack. But Saturday was the game-changer. NU’s upset of No. 1 Boston College leads … Read more
I suppose I should be hanging my head in shame at starting the year 1-2. I should be asking who would have expected Merrimack to knock off fifth-ranked Union? And who would have expected Maine to fall to Quinnipiac? The sad rationalizations should be flying. Instead, I’m giddy with delight. Why? Because I may be … Read more
I’ll be reading from Cracking the Ice and signing copies at the Andover Bookstore, 89R Main Street, Andover, MA. Thursday night at 7. If you’re in the area, stop by.
It seems almost unthinkable that the college hockey season is already upon us. This weekend (and week to come), there are three games involving Hockey East teams. So let’s kick off our season of predictions. Saturday, Oct. 6 Quinnipiac at Maine Jim’s pick: The Black Bears lost a lot but do return Dan Sullivan in … Read more
I know I’m preaching to the choir here since almost all of you have been reading Jim Connelly’s work for years now, but… I still feel great over Jim receiving the Joe Concannon Hockey East Media Award last week. He loves the sport and works tirelessly to bring you insights in everything ranging from this blog, … Read more
For the 11th straight year, the college hockey community will turn in its sticks in exchange for whiffle ball bats to support the Travis Roy Foundation. The 11th annual Travis Roy Foundation WIFFLE Ball Tournament returns to Little Fenway and Little Wrigley in Essex, Vt., on Friday-Sunday, August 10-12, 2012. The theme, ‘Eleven Seconds to Eleven … Read more
Thanks to all you Hockey East readers out there for following your team in this blog. It’s been a fascinating and fun year, capped off by the league winning its fourth national championship in five years. I’d also like to remind you that I’ll be signing copies of Cracking the Ice at the Barnes & Noble … Read more
Yes, Boston College won yet another Hockey East title (third straight!) and Boston University and Maine will be in the tournament. But it is Massachusetts-Lowell that really feels like it is ready for its second life. That leads the three things we learned this weekend. 1. A second life sometimes feels better than the first The … Read more
Cornell’s win this afternoon has eliminated Merrimack from NCAA tournament consideration. The Warriors needed Cornell, Harvard, and Air Force to all lose. They were a great story, rising to number one in the country back when they were the only undefeated team 10 games into the season, but it’s all over now. This duplicates what’s been … Read more
I maintained my one-game lead last week, which means Dave will need a minor miracle if he wants to win. Man, the driver’s seat feels nice. Jim last week: 7-4-0 Dave last week: 7-4-0 Jim’s record-to-date: 123-75-17 Dave’s record-to-date: 122-76-17 Hockey East Semifinals No. 7 Providence vs. No. 1 Boston College (Fri, 5 p.m., TD Garden) Jim’s … Read more
One round of the Hockey East tournament is in the books. And while three series needed three games to decide the outcome, only one provided an upset (that would be Providence becoming the first-ever No. 7 seed to advance). That said, plenty to learn from this first round of Hockey East tournament play. 1. Goaltenders … Read more
Dave has his rally cap on. Let’s see if he has enough to complete the comeback! Jim last week: 7-2-0 Dave last week: 8-1-0 Jim’s record-to-date: 116-71-17 Dave’s record-to-date: 115-72-17 This week, we’ll pick all three games as if they are played. If a game three isn’t played, that pick doesn’t count. (All series Friday, … Read more
Eight teams remain as we bid a fond adieu to Vermont and Northeastern. And as we take our first look forward into the Hockey East playoffs, there are some teams that enter on highs, some on lows and some somewhere in between. Here is a look at each. On highs: Heaven isn’t high enough Really, … Read more
Just a few weeks left and I have leveraged a perfectly-picked split between UMass and UNH to take a two-game lead in the standings. I’m guessing Dave is about to pull the goalie in desperation, so I hope the lead is five by next weekend. Jim last week: 7-2-1 Dave last week: 5-4-1 Jim’s record-to-date: 109-69-17 … Read more
Plenty of things to take away from this past weekend, the penultimate for Hockey East. The one that strikes me the most was BU’s resilience amid the team’s greatest controversy in memory. That tops my list of three things learned this week. 1. Nothing off the ice seems to deter this BU team on the … Read more
Jim and I are now in a dead heat, not much different than Hockey East. Dave last week: 5-3-2 Jim last week: 4-4-2 Dave’s record-to-date: 102-67-16 Jim’s record-to-date: 102-67-16 Here are this week’s picks: Friday, February 24 Boston College at Providence Dave’s pick: I may not pick against BC the rest of the year. Eight straight and … Read more
These are the three things I think I learned this week. 1. It’s looking like a three-way race at the top. A week ago, five teams were clustered together, all within two points of first-place Massachusetts-Lowell. Now those five co-favorites are down to three as Boston College, Lowell, and Boston University have put some separation … Read more
Call me the comeback kid, the UMass-Lowell of picks, whatever. There are three weeks left in the regular season and, for the first time all year, I’m back in first place! Dave last week: 3-6-1 Jim last week: 7-2-1 Dave’s record-to-date: 97-64-14 Jim’s record-to-date: 98-63-14 Friday, February 16 Merrimack at Boston College Jim’s pick: So many difficult games … Read more