Shootouts produce trophies for UMass-Lowell, BU

Shootouts are not the norm in college hockey, particularly for schools out east. But this weekend, they twice translated to trophies for Hockey East teams. 1. UMass-Lowell plays comeback kids at inaugural Friendship Four Wild and wooly is the only way to explain UMass-Lowell’s championship at the inaugural Friendship Four tournament in Belfast, Northern Ireland. … Read more

Hockey East musings: top three, UNH, and Maine

These are the three things I think I learned this week. 1. Providence, Boston College, and Massachusetts-Lowell are separating themselves from the rest of the league. These three teams continued their undefeated play within Hockey East. Providence swept Northeastern, Lowell took three of four points from Notre Dame and BC defeated New Hampshire. While several … Read more

National title rematch provides plenty of entertainment but little in the way of results

It was a series you circled when the schedules were announced: Boston University and Providence, a rematch of last year’s national title game. And though fans were probably entertained at each venue, neither night of the home-and-home series produced a winner. That leads the three things I learned this weekend. 1. When it comes to … Read more

Hockey East picks – Nov. 13-17

Jim and I differed on only two games last week, and in both cases he chose the right team, tripling his lead. Since this is Friday the 13th, perhaps all that bad luck will go his way and I’ll get back to even. Dave last week: 9-6-0   Jim last week: 11-4-0 Dave’s record-to-date: 48-25-10 Jim’s record-to-date: 51-22-10 Here … Read more

All or nothing for Hockey East in league play, a mixed bag outside

These are the three things I think I learned from this all-or-nothing weekend. 1. The All: Teams swept all four league series Hockey East is typically so tough top to bottom that it’s extremely difficult to take four points from a league foe. That, however, is exactly what happened this weekend in all four league series. … Read more

UMass sends simple message: Never count them out

We are just three weeks into the hockey season and this year’s version of the Massachusetts Minutemen have twice done something most teams can’t do very often: comeback. That headlines the three things we learned this week in Hockey East. 1. Minutemen should call themselves the Cardiac Kids Two weekends ago, UMass fell behind 3-0 … Read more

Hockey East picks – Oct. 23-29

After a brutal opening week, I picked up two games last Friday, but then gave one back the next night. Like some of the teams in this league, I’ve dug myself a hole. Dave last week: 11-7-1 Jim last week: 10-8-1 Dave’s record-to-date: 15-15-4 Jim’s record-to-date: 17-13-4 Here are this week’s picks: Friday, Oct. 23 Massachusetts-Lowell at Merrimack  Dave’s … Read more

Reflections from the Hockey East Championship Weekend and NCAA selection process

These are the three things I think I learned in this final pre-NCAA tournament week. 1. Boston University finally put together a strong first period at the TD Garden. The Terriers’ first three games at the Garden this year — the Beanpot and Hockey East semifinals — hardly showcased a team on the way to … Read more