Dave and I only picked one game different – the Vermont/Clarkson game – and I got it correct, further opening up my lead.
Jim last week: 9-4-3
Jim to-date: 90-43-15
Dave last week: 8-5-3
Dave to-date: 85-48-15
Friday, January 3
Maine at Quinnipiac
Jim’s pick: Here are two teams both playing excellent hockey right now. I’m am going with Quinnipiac simply because of home ice. Maine hasn’t won on the road and the Bobcats are solid are home.
QU 3, Maine 2
Dave’s pick: Agreed. Maine played well on neutral ice in Florida last week, but still must prove itself on the road.
QU 4, Maine 2
Clarkson at Massachusetts-Lowell
Jim’s pick: It wasn’t an easy win for Lowell but last Sunday at the Catamount Cup was a win over the Golden Knights. I feel like the River Hawks should win again.
UML 3, CU 1
Dave’s pick: Even though the Knights are 6-2-0 on the road, I’m not believing they’re as good as their record. At home, the River Hawks should prevail.
UML 4, CU 2
Nebraska-Omaha at New Hampshire
Jim’s pick: This is one I’m struggling with as UNH hasn’t been consistent and UNO has played above expectations all season. Even at home, I think I’m going with the Mavericks.
UNO 4, UNH 3
Dave’s pick: UNH has been tough to predict all year and is still a game under .500 at home, but I can’t see the Mavericks emerging with a win here.
UNH 4, UNO 3
Dartmouth at Vermont
Jim’s pick: This is the end of a long homestand for Vermont in which the Cats have been near perfect.
UVM 4, DC 2
Dave’s pick: The Catamounts shouldn’t allow a 2-11-1 team to come into their barn and come out with a win.
UVM 5, DC 1
Saturday, January 4
Frozen Fenway (at Fenway Park, Boston)
Providence vs. Merrimack
Jim’s pick: These teams have had some great games against one another in recent years and this is on a big stage at Fenway. Doubtful that Jon Gillies will be back from World Juniors but still think Providence can prevail.
PC 3, MC 2
Dave’s pick: Without Gillies, the Friars are vulnerable, but Merrimack doesn’t have the firepower to take advantage.
PC 2, MC 1
Notre Dame vs. Boston College
Jim’s pick: Again, whether or not players will return from World Juniors in time for this game could be a major factor. Notre Dame really relies on Hinostroza, maybe more than BC its three players. So this prediction is a bit of a coin flip.
BC 4, Notre Dame 3
Dave’s pick: The Irish only had three wins and a tie in their last nine going into the break, so I’m seeing an easier win for the Eagles than Jim does.
BC 4, Notre Dame 2
Boston University at Harvard
Jim’s pick: In this potential Beanpot preview, I like the Terriers.
BU 5, Harvard 3
Dave’s pick: I’m picking the lesser of two evils here since I don’t like the way either team has played. But even though the Terriers are on the road, I think they’re the better team. Barely.
BU 4, Harvard 3 (OT)
Massachusetts at Northeastern
Jim’s pick: Despite UMass playing some decent games of late and Northeastern struggling, I’m going with the Huskies at home.
NU 4, UMass 2
Dave’s pick: It seems as though the Northeastern bandwagon got a flat as soon as I jumped on board, and I’m not feeling good about picking a team that gave up 13 goals last weekend. But I’m going with the Huskies’ firepower that scored eight times to forge a comeback tie with Dartmouth.
NU 4, UMass 3
Clarkson at Massachusetts-Lowell
Jim’s pick: It’s difficult to beat a team three times in a week, but I think Lowell is capable.
UML 4, CU 2
Dave’s pick: I’m not that big on the difficulty of beating a team three times in a week; I am big on the River Hawks being the superior team despite Clarkson’s 12-5-1 record.
UML 4, CU 2
Nebraska-Omaha at New Hampshire
Jim’s pick: Picking splits haven’t been a good thing for me this season, yet, I’m going to do it again.
UNH 3, UNO 1
Dave’s pick: I’m going with the Wildcats to sweep and kick off a strong second-half run.
UNH 3, UNO 2
Yale at Vermont
Jim’s pick: The defending national champs won’t allow Vermont to end its homestand on a positive note.
Yale 4, UVM 2
Dave’s pick: The Bulldogs haven’t been playing like national champs, so I’m going with the Catamounts in an upset.
UVM 3, Yale 2 (OT)
Tuesday, January 7
Northeastern at Providence
Jim’s pick: Gillies should definitely be back to Providence which makes the Friars my pick at home.
PC 3, NU 1
Dave’s pick: Agreed. The Friars once again become one of the top teams in the league, if not the nation. Gillies is that good.
PC 4, NU 2
Vermont at St. Lawrence
Jim’s pick: Even away from home, I’m picking the Cats in this one.
UVM 3, SLU 2
Dave’s pick: St. Lawrence lost four straight going into the break, including a 5-1 tilt at Vermont, so I’m going for the Catamounts without hesitation.
UVM 4, SLU 2
Wednesday, January 8
Dartmouth at Boston University
Jim’s pick: Dartmouth has seen a lot of Hockey East lately and this one won’t end much better.
BU 4, DU 2
Dave’s pick: Dartmouth proves to be what the doctor ordered for a Terriers team that ranked as one of the bigger first-half disappointments in Eastern hockey.
BU 4, DU 1
