Easily the best week of the season for both me and Dave, and I even gained a game in the process to tie things up.
Jim last week: 9-1-1
Jim to date: 68-40-10
Dave last week: 8-2-1
Dave to date: 68-40-10
Friday, December 8
Boston University at UMass Lowell
Jim’s pick: These are the teams that many thought would be battling for first. Right now, each are trying to get things rolling. I’ll go with the River Hawks on home ice.
UML 4, BU 3
Dave’s pick: Will one of these disappointing clubs finally catch fire just as the first half comes to an end? My money is on a split, though both teams have been so unpredictable, it wouldn’t be a shock to see the road team win both nights.
UML 3, BU 2
Army West Point at Merrimack
Jim’s pick: This is a tough one. Merrimack hasn’t been lighting the world on fire and Army is better than many expected. I’ll take the Hockey East homer route here.
MC 3, Army 2
Dave’s pick: I’ve got to agree, though the match-up did make me think.
MC 3, Army 2
RIT at Providence
Jim’s pick: Maybe I should think that RIT is more of a threat, but this team shouldn’t be too difficult for Providence.
PC 5, RIT 2
Dave’s pick: Jim and I are on exactly the same wavelength so far.
PC 5, RIT 1
Maine at Quinnipiac
Jim’s pick: There is something to me that tells me Quinnipiac is ready to break through. Is Maine the right opponent?
QU 4, Maine 2
Dave’s pick: We can’t use the “will Maine ever win a road game” line anymore since the Black Bears hold a 1-1 away record. But beat Quinnipiac on the road? I can’t see it.
QU 3, Maine 1
Colgate at Connecticut
Jim’s pick: UConn impressed me with the drubbing of UMass on Tuesday. But I think Colgate is a little tougher opponent that UMass.
CU 3, UConn 1
Dave’s pick: Yet again, Jim and I agree. The 8-5-4 Raiders are just too tough, even with UConn hosting.
CU 3, UConn 2
Saturday, December 9
Northeastern at Boston College
Jim’s pick: Based on BC’s win at Northeastern a few weeks back, I’ll go with the Eagles in this battle of nationally-ranked teams.
BC 4, NU 2
Dave’s pick: The Eagles (8-1-1 over the last ten) have been far more consistent of late.
BC 3, NU 1
UMass Lowell at Boston University
Jim’s pick: BU has performed well in this series when at home. And there’s not real reason to believe they can’t win at home again.
BU 4, UML 3 (OT)
Dave’s pick: This series has split written all over it, even though a sweep by either club would not be a surprise.
BU 3, UML 2
RIT at Providence
Jim’s pick: The Friars complete the sweep to get back on track after a hiccup against New Hampshire.
PC 4, RIT 2
Dave’s pick: Good grief. Yet another agreement, though I don’t think this one is close.
PC 5, RIT 1
Maine at Quinnipiac
Jim’s pick: I know I keep picking against Maine, but I think this is a pretty difficult road weekend.
QU 4, Maine 3
Dave’s pick: I picked Maine last week, but can’t see the Black Bears emerging victorious in this series.
QU 4, Maine 2
Army West Point at New Hampshire
Jim’s pick: New Hampshire has been a power out of conference this season. It will continue vs. Army.
UNH 3, Army 1
Dave’s pick: Will Jim and I agree on every pick? Homer Hendrickson goes with the Hockey East team.
UNH 4, Army 1
Brown at Vermont
Jim’s pick: This is a battle of two struggling teams, so I’ll give Vermont the nod on home ice.
UVM 4, Brown 3
Dave’s pick: Finally(!), we disagree. I’m not crazy about picking a 5-7 team on the road, but the Catamounts are 1-5-1 over the last seven.
Brown 3, UVM 2 (OT)
Sunday, December 10
New Hampshire at Merrimack
Jim’s pick: Even on the road and playing on back-to-back nights, I like the Wildcats.
UNH 4, MC 2
Dave’s pick: The Wildcats are only .500 in Hockey East play, so now’s the time for them to make a move in the standings.
UNH 4, MC 2
Massachusetts at Union
Jim’s pick: Is this the game where I pick the upset? The reality is Union is playing well enough to make picking an upset difficult.
UC 3, UMass 2
Dave’s pick: The Minutemen have won three of the last four, including a sweep of Quinnipiac, and Union’s 9-7-1 record is only trivially better than UMass’s 8-7-0. But the Dutchmen just feel like the team to beat, especially at home.
UC 4, UMass 2
