Another year beckons and hope springs eternal.
Let’s get right to the games.
Dave’s record-to-date: 0-0-0
Jim’s record-to-date: 0-0-0
Here are this week’s picks:
Friday, Oct. 10
Boston University at Massachusetts
Dave’s pick: In one game, the Terriers equal their total number of road wins from all of last year.
BU 4, UMass 1
Jim’s pick: A lot of people are anxious to see just how good this BU team can be. Well, a lot of people not wearing UMass sweaters.
BU 4, UMass 2
Boston College at Massachusetts-Lowell
Dave’s pick: BC’s questions up front will best Lowell’s questions in goal.
BC 4, UML 2
Jim’s pick: Difficult game to pick because the game is being played at Lowell and the place will be rocking.
BC 3, UML 2
Merrimack at Holy Cross
Dave’s pick: The Warriors should be better this year, and this becomes the first evidence.
MC 3, HC 2
Jim’s pick: With this game being played at Holy Cross, I’m going to pick the moderate upset here.
HC 3, MC 2
Providence at Ohio State
Dave’s pick: The Friars show why they’re expected to be the class of Hockey East.
PC 4, OSU 2
Jim’s pick: A tough road test for a highly-touted Providence team. They should still pass, though.
PC 3, OSU 1
Connecticut at Penn State
Dave’s pick: How big of a step forward has Penn State taken? And what about UConn? This outlook remains murky.
UConn 3, PSU 2
Jim’s pick: Like Dave eludes to, it’s hard to know what either team will bring to the table. Thus, I’m going with home ice.
PSU 4, UConn 3
Icebreaker
Rensselaer at Notre Dame
Dave’s pick: The Irish suffered key losses at every position but still should be one of Hockey East’s and the country’s top teams.
UND 4, RPI 2
Jim’s pick: Agree. Notre Dame should have enough to win against RPI.
UND 4, RPI 2
Kendall Hockey Classic
Maine at Alaska Anchorage
Dave’s pick: I’m going with the home team here. I like the Black Bears, but last year they won only once on the road.
UAA 3, Maine 2
Jim’s pick: And it certainly doesn’t help that the Black Bears are making what is likely the longest road trip in college hockey (okay, maybe Fairbanks is longer).
UAA 4, Maine 2
Saturday, Oct. 11
Vermont at Northeastern
Dave’s pick: The Huskies weren’t much better at home last year than on the road, and the Catamounts were similarly balanced, so it isn’t home ice that I’m picking. It’s the Huskies.
NU 3, UVM 2
Jim’s pick: This game is a coin flip to me. Both teams have the talent. Comes down to which one shows up.
UVM 3, NU 2
Connecticut at Penn State
Dave’s pick: Penn State salvages the split.
PSU 3, UConn 2
Jim’s pick: It’s a sweep for the Nittany Lions at home.
PSU 4, UConn 2
Holy Cross at Merrimack
Dave’s pick: The Warriors claim the back end of the home-and-home to earn a sweep.
MC 4, HC 2
Jim’s pick: Home ice will turn the tables for Merrimack.
MC 5, HC 3
Providence at Ohio State
Dave’s pick: The Friars pull off a difficult road sweep.
PC 3, OSU 2 (OT)
Jim’s pick: A good start to an exciting season for the Friars.
PC 2, OSU 1
New Hampshire at Union
Dave’s pick: This could be a tough year for the Wildcats, but there will be no shame in losing to the defending national champions.
Union 4, UNH 1
Jim’s pick: If this game were in Durham, I’d go with UNH. But it will be a tough road game in a very excited Messa Rink.
Union 3, UNH 2
Kendall Hockey Classic
Maine vs Alaska
Dave’s pick: Will Maine’s struggles on the road extend to this year and a long trip to Alaska with no points to show for it? I’m going with a breakthrough and a split.
Maine 3, Alaska 2
Jim’s pick: Sorry Black Bear fans. Maine is going to have to win a few road games before I am confident to pick them away from Alfond.
Alaska 3, Maine 1
Sunday, Oct. 12
Icebreaker
Minnesota/Minnesota Duluth at Notre Dame
Dave’s pick: The Irish will beat Duluth, but if the opponent is the Gophers, that’s a different story.
UND 3, UMD 2/ UM 3, UND 2
Jim’s pick: Agree. This is Minnesota’s tournament to win, even though it’s being played in South Bend.
UND 4, UMD 2/UM 3, UND 1
