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
I categorically deny that two weeks ago I allowed Jim to pick up three games on me in a shamelessly sadistic move, knowing full well that I’d gain four this past week. I would never, ever do that to my good buddy. Heh, heh, heh. I will say, however, that I’m enjoying my seven game lead. … Read more
These are the three things I think I learned this past week. 1. The league is getting squeezed The top and the bottom of Hockey East are getting closer to each other. Boston College at the top (1A to New Hampshire’s 1B) continued its modest slumber last weekend, settling for a 3-3 tie with Yale. … Read more
Neither Dave nor I did very well last week with so many unexpected outcomes in holiday tournaments. Fortunately, Dave was three games worse than I was, helping me cut his lead in picks in half. Jim last week: 8-6-1 Dave last week: 5-9-1 Jim’s record-to-date: 61-39-10 Dave’s record-to-date: 64-36-10 Friday, Jan. 4 Yale at Boston College Jim’s pick: As much as … Read more
Two slumping Hockey East teams earned tournament titles (and a third will play for a title tonight), which leads me to ask: can winning your holiday tournament serve as a springboard to the second half? 1. Maine, Vermont win titles, hope to earn confidence Holiday tournaments are strange creatures. Your team generally is coming off … Read more
Well, it’s just about the New Year, which personally I hope translates to much improved success in picking these games. To this point, I’m six games behind my elderly elder. Seeing as there is no column this week, we decided to take a bit of an expanded look at each of the upcoming weekend’s holiday … Read more
Question: How do you write a “three things I learned” Monday wrapup when Hockey East teams only played a single game over the weekend? Answer: Stretch the boundaries a bit. So here goes. These are the three things I think I learned. Three. Hockey East sits pretty atop the national rankings. You’ve probably already noticed … Read more
Kermit the Frog sang years ago that it’s not easy being green. Well, it’s also not easy being the number one team in the USCHO.com poll. New Hampshire became another Hockey East team to learn that this weekend, and that leads the three things I learned this week. 1. The King is dead, long live … Read more
Jimmy and I only disagreed on a single game last week. Which means we both got shellacked on Friday and had to make do with modest Saturday comebacks. Even though he picked up a game on me, I’m still ahead by five so I’ll be heading into the holidays with a nice cushion barring a cataclysmic collapse. … Read more
These are the three things I think I learned this week. Three: Home ice isn’t always all it’s cracked up to be. I’d commented earlier this season that home ice appeared to be more dominant than usual this year. Well, this weekend may have singlehandedly changed all that. One might have thought that the Boston … Read more
When Boston College coach Jerry York recorded his 500th win back in 1996, USCHO was in its first year of existence. There was no room for us in many press boxes and some coaches were befuddled by exactly what USCHO was all about. “What’s this Internet website thing?” one coach asked me, his face clouded … Read more