Welcome back to another season of great hockey.
Other than Boston College, which snuck in a Thursday night game , everyone is 0-0-0. Even Jimmy. For at least this week, he’s dead even with me. We’ll see how long that lasts.
Dave’s record-to-date: 0-0-0
Jim’s record-to-date: 0-0-0
Here are this week’s picks:
Friday, Oct. 11
Massachusetts at Boston University
Dave’s pick: For at least one game, David Quinn tops Jack Parker’s career winning percentage.
BU 4, UMass 2
Jim’s pick: I always feel like UMass is one of those teams that can surprise early on. But I can’t pick against BU at home in this one.
BU 3, UMass 2
Clarkson vs. New Hampshire (Icebreaker)
Dave’s pick: UNH gets off on the right foot to set up a likely title game with host Minnesota.
UNH 4, Clarkson 2
Jim’s pick: Clarkson is a team that Hockey East fans will become familiar with as the Golden Knights will play seven non-league games against Hockey East teams.
UNH 5, Clarkson 2
Alabama Huntsville at Northeastern
Dave’s pick: I expect a tough season for the Huskies, but not so tough that at home they can’t easily handle a team that went 3-21-1 last year.
NU 5, UAH 1
Jim’s pick: I agree NU will win, but I don’t think it will be such a blow away.
NU 3, UAH 1
Minnesota State at Providence
Dave’s pick: Can the Friars take the next step up this season? This will be a tough, early test, fortunately one taken at home.
PC 3, MSU 2
Jim’s pick: Minnesota State was a major part of the undoing for the Friars bid for the NCAA tournament a season ago.
PC 4, MSU 2
Maine at St. Lawrence
Dave’s pick: I’d feel better about Maine’s chances in this one if it were at the Alfond.
SLU 3, Maine 2
Jim’s pick: I can flip a coin here as not sure what to expect from either of these teams.
SLU 4, Maine 2
Sacred Heart at Massachusetts-Lowell
Dave’s pick: This one should be like taking candy from babies. A Frozen Four team last year vs. one that went 2-30-4. If the River Hawks lose this one, Lowell should fire Norm Bazin. (Folks, that’s a joke. Okay, okay. My humor isn’t yet in mid-season form.)
UML 6, SH 1
Jim’s pick: Sacred Heart did struggle a year ago but were a strong team the last month of the season. Even if that carries over, I think Lowell should win this one.
UML 4, SH 2
Western Michigan at Notre Dame
Dave’s pick: The two old CCHA rivals meet again with home ice proving decisive.
ND 3, WMU 2
Jim’s pick: Should be a good contest between these two teams that have been strong in the CCHA in recent years.
ND 2, WMU 1
Vermont at North Dakota
Dave’s pick: Much as I like to pick against the Sioux and rile up the easily-riled-up lunatic fringe component of their fan base (most of whom are great fans), I prefer to win the picks race.
UND 4, UVM 1
Jim’s pick: Vermont has a lot of prove this year but I don’t know that Grand Forks is the best place to prove it.
UND 4, UVM 2
Merrimack at Denver
Dave’s pick: I’m optimistic about the Warriors’ chances and they should get off to a strong start with all their returning players. But taking on Denver in Denver is a daunting task.
DU 3, MC 2
Jim’s pick: I feel like Merrimack can win one of these games. The questions is which one. I’ll go against Dave here and pick the Warriors in the series opener.
MC 4, DU 3
Saturday, Oct. 12
Mercyhurst/Minnesota vs New Hampshire (Icebreaker)
Dave’s pick: I like the Wildcats over Mercyhurst, but not over last year’s WCHA regular season champion on its own ice.
UNH 3, MU 2; UM 4, UNH 2
Jim’s pick: Agree with Dave. If Minnesota makes the final, they win.
UNH 5, MU 2; UM 3, UNH 1
Holy Cross at Boston University
Dave’s pick: The biggest tests for David Quinn and the Terriers lie further ahead.
BU 4, HC 2
Jim’s pick: Holy Cross always plays well in non-league games and will be a decent test for BU. I still think the Terriers prevail.
BU 3, HC 2
Alabama Huntsville at Northeastern
Dave’s pick: The Huskies polish off an easy sweep.
NU 5, UAH 2
Jim’s pick: Again, don’t think it will be easy but do believe this weekend will be a sweep.
NU 4, UAH 3
Minnesota State at Providence
Dave’s pick: The Friars might use home ice to pull off the sweep, but historically Minnesota State plays well on the road. I’m going with a split, and praying I don’t pick it the wrong way.
MSU 2, PC 1
Jim’s pick: Unlike Dave, I think Providence will be focused and earn the sweep.
PC 4, MSU 2
Maine at St. Lawrence
Dave’s pick: Here’s a two-game series that would be a split on neutral ice, but I’m going with the Saints sweeping at home. A rocky start for new Maine coach Red Gendron.
SLU 3, Maine 2
Jim’s pick: I want to pick a split here but worry that the Saints are too good at home.
SLU 3, Maine 2
Massachusetts at Massachusetts-Lowell
Dave’s pick: A tough opening weekend for the Minutemen.
UML 4, UMass 2
Jim’s pick: Lowell takes the first game of the Alumni Cup series this year.
UML 5, UMass 2
Notre Dame at Western Michigan
Dave’s pick: The Broncos salvage a split back at home.
WMU 3, ND 2
Jim’s pick: I think this is actually a series Notre Dame will sweep.
ND 4, WMU 2
Vermont at North Dakota
Dave’s pick: The Catamounts will return home licking their wounds.
ND 4, UVM 1
Jim’s pick: This will be another close game but I like NoDak to sweep.
ND 3, UVM 2
Merrimack at Denver
Dave’s pick: I’d like to predict that the Warriors will eek out at least a point, but Denver’s too tough at home .
DU 4, MC 3
Jim’s pick: Denver bounces back to earn a split.
DU 3, MC 2
Sunday, Oct. 13
Rensselaer at Boston College
Dave’s pick: The Eagles may have lost to Michigan on Thursday, but they’re not going to open 0-2.
BC 4, RPI 2
Jim’s pick: RPI is a good team but this is an important game that the Eagles won’t take lightly.
BC 5, RPI 2
