Dave rallied last weekend to post an impressive 13-3-1 mark and make up the two-game deficit. Three weeks in, all tied.
Jim last week: 11-5-1
Jim to-date: 32-13-3
Dave last week: 13-3-1
Dave to-date: 32-13-3
Friday, October 31
Massachusetts at Maine
Jim’s pick: Though I like the way UMass is playing of late, Maine showed last weekend that home cooking helps.
Maine 3, UMass 2
Dave’s pick: Agreed. This would be a tough call at the Mullins Center.
Maine 4, UMass 2
Vermont at Notre Dame
Jim’s pick: One of the marquis series of the season, I feel this one will be a split and I’ll give it to the hosts out of the gate.
UND 3, UVM 1
Dave’s pick: The Catamounts have been proving me wrong so far this season even when on the road, but I’m still going with the Irish.
UND 3, UVM 2
Boston University at Providence
Jim’s pick: Another top notch series, this one a home-and-home. And while Providence may have been the preseason favorite, BU is playing more like the crème de la crème.
BU 4, PC 3
Dave’s pick: The Friars have disappointed so far while the Terriers have impressed, but I think these two potential powerhouses will hold serve in this home-and-home.
PC 3, BU 2
Massachusetts-Lowell at New Hampshire
Jim’s pick: Lowell’s Murderer’s Row of opponents to begin the season continues. And while the River Hawks have been impressive handling this tough schedule to begin, I’m going with the Wildcats, equally as impressive to start, at home.
UNH 3, UML 2
Dave’s pick: If the River Hawks had looked better against Michigan last week, I’d be more tempted to give them a sweep. Instead, this looks like a home team split.
UNH 3, UML 2
Boston College at Denver
Jim’s pick: Another intriguing weekend series in Hockey East. The Eagles seem to be playing well but I am concerned about depth on defense for BC and playing at altitude. Thus, I’m going with Denver in the opener.
DU 4, BC 2
Dave’s pick: Last year, Denver wasn’t much better at home than on the road, so I’m thinking altitude won’t be as big a factor as one would instinctively think.
BC 3, DU 2 (OT)
Connecticut vs. Merrimack (Liberty Invitational Tournament, at Newark, N.J.)
Jim’s pick: This non-conference game between two Hockey East opponents will be played at the Prudential Center in New Jersey as part of the Liberty Invitational Tournament. These teams squared off in a tight tilt already with Merrimack squeaking out a win. Thus, I’m going to go with the Huskies on neutral ice.
UConn 2, MC 1 (OT)
Dave’s pick: The Warriors outplayed UConn by a good margin in that first game even though they needed an extra skater goal to force overtime where they won it, so I’m picking them in this one even away from Lawler Arena.
MC 2, UConn 1
Saturday, November 1
Providence at Boston University
Jim’s pick: Though the BU winning streak has to end at some point and a top-notch opponent like Providence is the sensible favorite to end it, I’m sticking with the Terriers on home ice.
BU 3, PC 2
Dave’s pick: The Terriers will salvage the split of the home-and-home series after dropping Friday night’s contest at Schneider Arena.
BU 4, PC 2
Massachusetts at Maine
Jim’s pick: Maybe I’m showing too much confidence in Maine one week after I showed zero. But I like the Black Bears to sweep.
Maine 4, UMass 2
Dave’s pick: I’m going with a Black Bears sweep as well. I think they’re the better team with the venue being icing on the cake.
Maine 4, UMass 2
Vermont at Notre Dame
Jim’s pick: Look for the Catamounts to bounce back and earn the split.
UVM 3, UND 2
Dave’s pick: Put me in the category of guys who just don’t learn, but I’m going against Vermont again. Notre Dame sweeps.
UND 3, UVM 2
New Hampshire at Massachusetts-Lowell
Jim’s pick: Home ice is nice for the River Hawks
UML 4, UNH 1
Dave’s pick: Agreed. The River Hawks get the split.
UML 4, UNH 3
Boston College at Denver
Jim’s pick: Acclimated to the environment, BC salvages the weekend split.
BC 4, DU 1
Dave’s pick: The Eagles complete an impressive road sweep.
BC 4, DU 2
Northeastern at Quinnipiac
Jim’s pick: A battle of two teams not living up to expectations thus far goes to the home team. And the start of the year gets longer for Huskies fans.
QU 3, NU 2
Dave’s pick: It’s hard to believe the Huskies have been outscored 15-4 while losing their first four games.
QU 4, NU 2
Sunday, November 2
Northeastern at Quinnipiac
Jim’s pick: Is it finally time for Northeastern to get into the win column? I think so.
NU 4, QU 2
Dave’s pick: Based on the evidence to date, there’s no reason to pick the Huskies.
QU 4, NU 2
Merrimack/UConn vs. Princeton/Yale (Liberty Invitational Tournament, Newark, N.J.)
Jim’s pick: I don’t know what to expect out of Princeton with a first-year coach. But I’m pretty confident in Yale. Picking all outcomes.
MC 3, PU 1; UConn 3, PU 2; Yale 4, MC 2; Yale 4, UConn 1
Dave’s pick: Princeton was 6-26-0 last year, so, like Jim, I’m picking against the Tigers. Yale is the class of this tourney.
MC 2, PU 1; UConn 3, PU 2; Yale 3, MC 1; Yale 4, UConn 2
Wednesday, November 5
Jim’s pick: The teacher vs. the student. No more classic clash in athletics. Can the student (UConn coach Mike Cavanaugh) beat his former boss of two decades (BC head coach Jerry York)? It would make a great storyline, but I can’t pick it.
BC 5, UConn 2
Dave’s pick: It’s a great storyline but not a believable plot.
BC 4, UConn 1
