The Hockey East mantra of top-to-bottom strength applied last year in spades. Northeastern, which finished one point out of the playoffs also finished four points out of home ice. At the top was Boston College, winning its second national title in three years, extending Hockey East’s streak to three straight championships. It would be hard … Read more
Maine hoped to capitalize on nearly eleven minutes of extra-man play – and the Eagles’ temporarily stick-less goaltender – in Sunday’s matinee against No. 10 Boston College. The Black Bears, however, never had a chance. Maine’s power play struggled mightily against the Eagles’ intractable penalty kill, failing to score in five man-advantage opportunities and bringing … Read more
Very interesting weekend around Hockey East as a handful of teams made definitive statements with their play on the ice. Boston College probably made the biggest one, sweeping Maine in a two-game series at home, 4-0 and 4-1. The Eagles dominated in Friday’s opener but then found a way to win in Sunday’s rematch, a … Read more
Dave made a great comeback last week while my mind obviously was still drowning in Jameson and Guinness. Dave last week: 6-1-3 Jim last week: 4-3-3 Dave’s record-to-date: 22-13-13 (.594) Jim’s record-to-date: 18-11-11 (.582) Here are this week’s picks: Friday, November 19 Maine at Boston College Dave’s pick: I suspected at the beginning of the year … Read more
When Merrimack’s Mike Collins scored at 1:15 of the first period in Saturday night’s game against Boston University, the Warriors did something that no team had done in nearly three weeks – score a power play goal against BU. BU had killed 32 consecutive penalties entering Saturday’s game, including 10 against the Warriors on Friday … Read more
It was a weekend that spoke to the league’s parity as all active teams except Northeastern came away with at least a single point. Although I hesitate to categorize any college kids as “losers” — a hesitation I’d drop if these were professional teams — the winners and losers categories provide a logical breakdown of the … Read more
Only a single pick from last week — New Hampshire over Massachusetts-Lowell – prevented Dave from going oh-fer the week. Mulligans, anyone? Dave last week: 1-5-2 Jim last week: enjoying himself in Ireland while Dave got trounced (Jim’s Note: Timing is everything!) Dave’s record-to-date: 16-12-10 (.552) Jim’s record-to-date: 14-8-8 (.600) Here are this week’s picks: Friday, … Read more
Merrimack may have lost this past weekend to the resurgent Providence College Friars, but that doesn’t diminish either the Warriors’ strong start or its chances to keep that going all the way through March. They opened the season taking three of four points from Atlantic Hockey teams and before you shrug your shoulders and say, … Read more
It certainly was an interesting weekend to look back on in Hockey East. A busy league slate was highlighted by a clash of what most believe will be two of the league’s powerhouses come March – Maine and Boston University. The single game on Saturday night was a barnburner for 60 minutes and beyond and … Read more
Dave had a sightly better weekend than Jim, retaking the lead. Neither one expected Northeastern to get swept at the hands of Atlantic Hockey nor Merrimack to split with Boston College. Dave last week: 6-3-1 Jim last week: 5-4-1 Dave’s record-to-date: 15-7-8 Jim’s record-to-date: 14-8-8 Here are this week’s picks: Friday, November 5 Merrimack at Providence … Read more
There were no treats for the River Hawks when they came knocking at the Terriers’ door this past Halloween weekend. All Massachusetts-Lowell received was a pair of losses at the hands of its Hockey East rival and the dubious honor of the lowest conference win percentage (.200). Boston University, now ranked No. 3 in the … Read more
If you want to use a Halloween theme for this past weekend in Hockey East, there were plenty of tricks and treats. Arguably, the best treats went to Providence and Merrimack. Boston University may have continued its strong start with two wins, the first Terrier blowout (5-1 over Massachusetts-Lowell) and yet another one-goal win in the rematch. … Read more
Hockey East Picks – October 29-30 Jim pulled back to even with Dave last weekend. Dave last week: 4-3-2 Jim last week: 5-2-2 Dave’s record-to-date: 9-4-7 Jim’s record-to-date: 9-4-7 Here are this week’s picks: Friday, October 29 Boston University at Massachusetts-Lowell Dave’s pick: The Terriers remain undefeated with another nailbiter. BU 3, Lowell 2 (OT) Jim’s pick: … Read more
Before the season started, Boston University looked on paper like the prototypical young team that would take a lump or two in the early going but be a far better team in the second half. So much for that idea. The Terriers are undefeated (4-0-1), atop Hockey East, and ranked sixth in the country. “We’re … Read more
It was an interesting weekend in Hockey East with national number one Boston College falling to rival Notre Dame, Northeastern and Lowell earning their first wins and Boston University picking up two more ‘W’s in league playing with victories over Massachusetts and Providence. But among that, what grabbed my attention and likely that of many … Read more
Hockey East Picks – October 22-23 Last weekend’s plethora of ties made the early-season picks records a bit skewed: Dave’s record-to-date: 5-1-5 (.682) Jim’s record-to-date: 4-2-5 (.591) Here are this week’s picks: Friday, October 22 New Hampshire at Northeastern Jim’s pick: Troubles continue for the Huskies UNH 4, NU 2 Dave’s pick: I like the Huskies … Read more
Discipline and having your players stay out of the penalty box can always be a challenge for college coaches. Particularly early in the season when referees and players are getting used to one another – and what is and isn’t a penalty – you often see penalty totals that are, shall we say, a bit … Read more
If ties truly are like kissing your sister, Hockey East is one very disturbed family. Other than at the very top (Boston College), middle (Merrimack) and bottom (Providence College), every league team engaged in sister-kissing last weekend with Lowell double-dipping. (Thank me for avoiding the temptation to torture the metaphor further in the case of … Read more
This Week’s Picks Hey folks. Beginning this week, both Dave and I will be making our weekly picks in the Hockey East blog. Every week, we will both make the selections for the upcoming games, meaning I can kick Dave’s butt fair and square this season. Friday, Oct. 15 Rensselaer at Northeastern Dave’s Pick: The … Read more
Northeastern got off to a rocky start this weekend, dropping its first two games, both of them within Hockey East. The Huskies lost to Providence, 3-2, and Boston College, 2-0. At the same time, however, they got a good look at the freshmen who project to be instrumental in the team’s success this year. Seven … Read more