Last week, I gained another game on the old man. And seeing as this is his last week picking before season ending surgery, I’m curious to see whether or not Dave will go completely the opposite of me in hopes I tank so he can improve his winning percentage.
(Dave’s special note: I’m loathe to intrude on Jim’s introduction, but since this is my swan song for a while, I have to say thanks to all the friends and fans who’ve sent me their support. You all are the best. Thank you!)
Dave last week: 5-2-1
Jim last week: 6-1-1
Dave’s record-to-date: 119-65-23
Jim’s record-to-date: 124-60-23
Here are this week’s picks:
Friday, Feb. 7
Merrimack at Boston College
Jim’s pick: Let’s start with the fact that Merrimack is on the road. Add in the fact that the opponent is BC. This is a slam dunk.
BC 5, MC 2
Dave’s pick: I’m down by five and have to pull my goalie, but not against a team that hasn’t lost since November.
BC 5, MC 2
Massachusetts-Lowell at Boston University
Jim’s pick: BU put forth an impressive effort in the Beanpot. But having watched the way Lowell manhandled them territorially three weeks ago, this one is all River Hawks.
UML 4, BU 1
Dave’s pick: Again, I have to agree, although I think it’ll be closer than Jim thinks. BU will play well, but not well enough to win.
UML 3, BU 2
Maine at Notre Dame
Jim’s pick: Given the way Maine has played away from home, I can’t pick the Black Bears at all this weekend.
ND 3, Maine 2
Dave’s pick: Here’s a pull-the-goalie pick. I suspect Maine will pick up its first road win this weekend, and was hoping Jim picked a split so I could go in the opposite direction. But he didn’t cooperate, so I’m forced to pick the Black Bears to seize their first two road wins of the year.
Maine 3, ND 2
Massachusetts at Northeastern
Jim’s pick: Maybe NU gets caught looking ahead to the Beanpot final. But I doubt it.
NU 4, UMass 2
Dave’s pick: The more I watch the Huskies, the more impressed I become. They’ll come to play and will win.
NU 4, UMass 1
Vermont at New Hampshire
Jim’s pick: This is the series of the weekend. And with New Hampshire being hot, it’s hard to pick against them at home.
UNH 3, UVM 2
Dave’s pick: Pull-the-goalie pick number two. I’d naturally be going with a UNH sweep, having learned my lesson from last weekend. But it’s time to gamble, and this isn’t a bad one. I’ve underestimated the Catamounts all season long, and they’ve pulled off road splits the last two weekends against Northeastern and BU. I’ll need them to make it three weeks in a row and a split the right way.
UVM 3, UNH 2
Saturday, Feb. 8
Maine at Notre Dame
Jim’s pick: Again, going with the Irish based solely on Maine’s road futility.
ND 4, Maine 2
Dave’s pick: How can a team be almost undefeated at home and winless on the road? Time to gamble again on the Black Bears.
Maine 3, ND 2
Massachusetts-Lowell at Massachusetts
Jim’s pick: Lowell wins to claim the Alumni Cup.
UML 4, UMass 2
Dave’s pick: Agreed. The River Hawks complete the sweep and move into sole possession of second place, which is where they belong.
UML 4, UMass 2
Vermont at New Hampshire
Jim’s pick: Any faithful reader knows I hate picking splits. But I really feel UVM will have another happy bus ride home.
UVM 3, UNH 2
Dave’s pick: I’m happily going with UNH here, hoping that my version of the split is the right one.
UNH 4, UVM 2
Monday, Feb. 10
62nd Beanpot (at TD Garden)
Boston University vs. Harvard (Consolation game)
Jim’s pick: It’s been a tough season for BU, but I don’t see another last place Beanpot finish in the cards.
BU 4, Harvard 3
Dave’s pick: The Crimson seniors could finish their collegiate careers with four Beanpot consolation wins, which may be as hollow of an accomplishment as there is in college hockey. But I don’t think so.
BU 4, Harvard 1
Boston College vs. Northeastern (Championship game)
Jim’s pick: If I had to make this pick 10 times, I’d pick BC 9. This is the one where I pick NU.
NU 4, BC 3 (OT)
Dave’s pick: I’d need a gun, literal or figurative, pointed at my head to pick against BC right now. This is easiest of the five picks I’ve differed with Jim on. Northeastern has impressed and it’ll be a great story if the Huskies win, but I just can’t see it.
BC 3, NU 2
Tuesday, Feb. 11
Connecticut at Providence
Jim’s pick: This should be an easy one for the Friars, but no game vs. AHA teams has been easy for Hockey East this season.
PC 3, UConn 2
Dave’s pick: It’s hard to understand Hockey East’s struggles with Atlantic Hockey (relative to those of other conferences), but I’d be stunned if they extended to a Friars loss.
PC 4, UConn 1
