Although I had a mediocre week, it still smells like roses because I pulled a game ahead of Jimmy. Time for the Four Corners offense.
Dave last week: 9-5-2
Jim last week: 8-6-2
Dave’s record-to-date: 41-18-5
Jim’s record-to-date: 40-19-5
Here are this week’s picks:
Friday, Nov. 7
Merrimack at Providence
Dave’s pick: I’m going with the 2-3-1 team over the one with a 5-1-1 record and not just because the Friars are at home. As I wrote about in this week’s column, Providence is not a 2-3-1 team.
PC 4, MC 1
Jim’s pick: I agree here. Merrimack has played well but hasn’t been overly tested. Plus Providence playing at home and with confidence coming off a win, I’m going Friars.
PC 3, MC 1
Maine at Vermont
Dave’s pick: – Although I like what the Black Bears have done recently, I can’t pick them on the road until they actually start winning there. I’m finicky like that..
UVM 4, UM 2
Jim’s pick: I agree with Dave about the road. But I also think Vermont is the better team.
UVM 5, UM 2
Northeastern at Massachusetts-Lowell
Dave’s pick: – The Huskies have about as much of a chance on the road against Lowell as a turkey drumstick has against me at Thanksgiving dinner.
UML 4, NU 1
Jim’s pick: I worry about this one as Northeastern has given Lowell fits in recent years. Still, just matching records against one another, it’s impossible to pick against Lowell here.
UML 3, NU 2
Boston University at Boston College
Dave’s pick: – Home ice proves decisive. I had been thinking that home ice would prevail in this battle of titans. Then I saw that BC lost to UConn. No offense to Hockey East’s newest member, but I’m flipping back to BU, a team that was undefeated until a 2-1 loss to Providence last Saturday..
BU 3, BC 2 (OT)
Jim’s pick: I love BU in this game. But I also love BC’s ability to come back after a loss (in this case two losses). And I will say that home ice is the difference maker here.
BC 4, BU 3
American International at Massachusetts
Dave’s pick: The Minutemen are coming off two one-goal losses at Maine (one in overtime), but this one won’t be that close.
UMass 4, AIC 1
Jim’s pick: I think AIC is a better team than Dave realizes. But I’m still not in a position to pick them.
UMass 3, AIC 2
Michigan State at New Hampshire
Dave’s pick: – The Wildcats have been struggling, but Michigan State has yet to win on the road. Home cookin’ wins out.
UNH 4, MSU 2
Jim’s pick: The UNH offense needs to get going against a Michigan State team that, at times, has been stingy. I think they will
UNH 2, MSU 1
Notre Dame at Minnesota
Dave’s pick: The Gophers ain’t number one for nothing and they’re at home, a notoriously tough place to play.
UM 4, UND 2
Jim’s pick: Notre Dame is playing well enough to pick an upset here. So let’s do it.
UND 3, UM 2
Saturday, Nov. 8
Connecticut at Boston University
Dave’s pick: I need to eat some crow regarding the UConn Huskies. In last week’s picks, I said that while UConn Coach Mike Cavanaugh beating longtime mentor BC coach Jerry York would make a great storyline, it wasn’t a believable plot. Well, the Huskies beat BC, 1-0 on Wednesday night. So much for what I know about plot.
Can they knock off a second straight titan? I’m still picking BU, but I won’t be shocked if UConn pulls off another upset.
BU 3, UConn 2
Jim’s pick: If BU loses on Friday, as I am picking, there is no way they lose at home on Saturday. But I agree with Dave, UConn is a lot better than many of us believed.
BU 4, UConn 2
Providence at Merrimack
Dave’s pick: The Friars need a sweep to start making their move, and I believe they’ll do it.
PC 2, MC 1
Jim’s pick: I think this series is well timed for the Friars.
PC 4, MC 2
Massachusetts-Lowell at Northeastern
Dave’s pick: Not even home ice can get the Huskies off the schneid against the River Hawks.
UML 3, NU 2
Jim’s pick: It’s hard for me to believe the Huskies could end this weekend still o-for. But they’re playing a Lowell team that is playing excellent hockey right now.
UML 4, NU 2
Maine at Vermont
Dave’s pick: The result would be different at Alfond, but the Catamounts sweep.
UVM 3, UM 2
Jim’s pick: Can’t disagree there. This UVM team is talented and plays well at home.
UVM 4, UM 2
Michigan State at New Hampshire
Dave’s pick: – The Wildcats pull off an important sweep to get to .500.
UNH 4, MSU 3
Jim’s pick: This easily could be a split, depending on which UNH team shows up. But I’ll still go with the sweep.
UNH 3, MSU 2
Sunday, Nov. 9
Notre Dame at Minnesota
Dave’s pick: – Maybe the Irish can push this to overtime, but the Gophers will still be too tough.
UM 4, UND 3 (OT)
Jim’s pick: I picked the Notre Dame upset on night one. But can’t pick it again.
UM 3, UND 2
Tuesday, Nov. 11
Harvard at Boston College
Dave’s pick: If BC loses to BU on Friday, then this game could pose the unthinkable threat – a possible four-game losing streak for the Eagles. Whether it comes to that point or not, I see this as a get-back-on-track impressive win..
BC 4, HU 1
Jim’s pick: No reason the Eagles can’t handle the Crimson at home.
BC 5, HU 2
