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
Our guests on the Tuesday, January 16, edition of USCHO Live! are two coaches coming off successful weekends, Michigan’s Mel Pearson and Northeastern’s Jim Madigan. Listen: http://www.uscho.com/uscho-live/2018/01/15/michigans-pearson-northeasterns-madigan-guest-on-jan-16-uscho-live/
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
Somehow Dave and I continue to put up the same record, week after week. That leaves us tied yet again. Jim last week: 10-6-0 Jim to date: 82-54-12 Dave last week: 10-6-0 Dave to date: 82-54-12 Friday, January 5 Merrimack at Connecticut Jim’s pick: These are two teams each looking to get things going in … Read more
Team USA, comprised mostly of college players, earned the second seed in Group A and will face Russia in Tuesday’s Worl Juniors quarterfinal. Along the way, a number of American players – and those representing other countries – hailing from Hockey East schools have played extremely well. That leads our takeaways this week. 1. Hockey … Read more
There was just a single game on tap on Hockey East when we last picked and a tie helped neither of us. Jim last week: 0-0-1 Jim to date: 72-48-12 Dave last week: 0-0-1 Dave to date: 72-48-12 Catamount Cup (at Burlington, Vt.) UMass Lowell vs. Harvard Jim’s pick: Neither team lived up to expectations … Read more
The sad news that came from Boston College on the passing of former head coach Len Ceglarski leads this week’s Hockey East blog. 1. Len Ceglarski defined Boston College hockey Sadly, my career in college hockey began too late to know Len Ceglarski. I met him just once when writing a story a few years … Read more
Jim and I were equally wretched last week, and remain tied. Dave last week: 4-8-1 Jim last week: 4-8-1 Dave’s record-to-date: 72-48-11 Jim’s record-to-date: 72-48-11 Here is this week’s pick, the one and only: Saturday, Dec. 16 Northeastern at Merrimack Dave’s pick: Merrimack may have won its last two, but the Huskies have won their last three. More significantly, … Read more
Although there are a few downers that could be discussed (hello, New Hampshire), we’ll send out some holiday cheer by looking only at three surprising teams that had surprisingly good weekends. 1. Maine sweeps Quinnipiac! On the road! Okay, so Quinnipiac isn’t the same team that two years ago went 32-4-7 and played in the … Read more
Easily the best week of the season for both me and Dave, and I even gained a game in the process to tie things up. Jim last week: 9-1-1 Jim to date: 68-40-10 Dave last week: 8-2-1 Dave to date: 68-40-10 Friday, December 8 Boston University at UMass Lowell Jim’s pick: These are the teams … Read more
Northeastern entered this weekend in one of its toughest stretches of this season having lost three of four. But the Huskies turned what at time was a weakness into a strength and got the train back on the tracks. 1) Defense, goaltending strong suit for Northeastern against Merrimack There probably weren’t a lot of people … Read more
Jim and I differed on four games last week, and I was right in three of them. Call the New York Times! I’m finally in the lead. But am I allowed to celebrate such a lousy performance? Dave last week: 6-5-1 Jim last week: 4-7-1 Dave’s record-to-date: 59-39-9 Jim’s record-to-date: 58-40-9 Here are this week’s picks: Friday, Dec. 1 … Read more
These are the three things I think I learned this week. 1. How ’bout them Minutemen? I’m stunned. Yes, I believe Massachusetts coach Greg Carvel has the program moving in the right direction for long-term success. But if you asked me a few weeks ago about the short term outlook for the Minutemen, especially against … Read more
Dave gained a single game last week, which closes the gap as we hit Thanksgiving, or about the 1/3 point in the season. Jim last week: 5-4-1 Jim to date: 54-33-8 Dave last week: 6-3-1 Dave to date: 53-34-8 Friday, November 24 Providence vs. Maine at Friendship Four (Belfast, N.I.) Jim’s pick: I guess it … Read more
If you asked many people after the first few weeks of the college hockey season, they might use the word “crazy” to describe some of the results in Hockey East. But as we reach Thanksgiving and most teams have played at least one-third or more of their season, the teams atop the Hockey East standings … Read more
Another week, another tie for Dave and me. This time our records were half decent, well at least we were above .500. Jim last week: 6-3-1 Jim to date: 49-29-7 Dave last week: 6-3-1 Dave to date: 47-31-7 Friday, November 17 Boston University at Maine Jim’s pick: There is a possibility of a Maine upset … Read more
The Providence men’s hockey program received the tragic news Saturday morning that former teammate Drew Brown had succumb to his fight with cancer. What they did that evening, is nothing short of miraculous. 1. Friars net seven for number 7 Sure, maybe it was just coincidence, but it was impossible not to take notice when … Read more