Thanks to Northastern’s win over Harvard in the Beanpot consolation game and a late Merrimack goal last Saturday night to earn a tie with Connecticut, I picked up a key game late in the season on Dave. It’s almost getting to the point that he’s going to have to begin to get desperate, pinching the defense allowing me to take advantage of that 2-on-0 the other way.
Jim last week: 9-1-2
Jim to date: 148-55-33 (.697)
Dave last week: 8-2-2
Dave to date: 144-59-33 (.680)
Friday and Saturday, February 12-13
Because every team is playing a two-game series against the same opponent, we will list picks for that series together, the first pick being Friday’s game and the second being Saturday.
Merrimack vs. Boston College (Fri. at BC; Sat. at MC)
Jim’s picks: Even though BC has historically had some tough games at Lawler Rink, I think this should be one of the easier sweeps to pick this weekend.
BC 5, MC 2; BC 3; MC 1
Dave’s picks: I have to agree. I’d be picking the Eagles against almost anyone right now. They are, after all, undefeated in 2016.
BC 4, MC 1; BC 3; MC 2
UMass-Lowell vs. Boston University (Fri. at BU; Sat. at UML)
Jim’s pick: I am tempted to pick a Boston University sweep here, but every time I think that UMass-Lowell is slipping, they prove me wrong.
BU 4, UML 2; UML 3, BU 1
Dave’s picks: I might be naturally inclined to agree with Jim on this one, but BU has beaten every team they’ve played not named Boston College dating all the way back to Dec. 12, when the Terriers gave top-ranked Quinnipiac its only loss of the season.
BU 3, UML 1; BU 3, UML 2
Maine at Notre Dame
Jim’s pick: With the Irish going on the road and sweeping Vermont, a team that is slightly better than Maine, it’s hard to pick against the Irish at home.
ND 4, Maine 2; ND 3, Maine 1
Dave’s picks: Other than a loss to BC (everyone’s kryptonite) , the Irish have been undefeated since the day after Thanksgiving. I can’t see that changing.
ND 4, Maine 1; ND 3, Maine 1
Connecticut vs. Providence (Fri. at PC; Sat. at UC)
Jim’s pick: This is one where I am tempted to pick a split, but I really think Providence is playing good enough hockey right now to win both at home and on the road.
PC 5, UC 2; PC 3, UC 2
Dave’s picks: I’m running out of games to differ with Jim on, but I can’t go against Providence, not even on the road. The Friars are 9-3-2 away from home, and UConn is 4-7-1 when hosting. So, I, too, have to pick a Friars sweep.
PC 4, UC 2; PC 3, UC 1
Northeastern vs. Massachusetts (Fri. at UMass; Sat at NU
Jim’s pick: Is it possible I pick yet another sweep? I think so. Northeastern has turned a corner here and are consistently proving it. UMass on the other hand has not.
NU 3, UM 1; NU 4, UM 1
Dave’s picks: Needing overtime to defeat AIC confirms for me that UMass won’t win another game the rest of the year. Northeastern, on the other hand, has lost only once (against BU in the Beanpot semifinals) since Dec. 6, a night the Huskies faced Team Kryptonite. I don’t think this will even be close.
NU 4, UM 1; NU 5, UM 1
Vermont at New Hampshire
Jim’s pick: This is the one series I just can’t see either team splitting. New Hampshire is a good team and Vermont has enough to earn at least on victory. Now the key is to not screw up the order of the split.
UNH 3, UVM 2; UVM 3, UNH 2
Dave’s picks: If I weren’t four games behind Jim, I’d go for a UNH sweep. But even if I’m right, that would only pick up one game. So I’ll roll the dice here and go for split the opposite way.
UVM 3, UNH 2; UNH 3, UVM 2
Tuesday, February 16
UMass-Lowell at AIC
Jim’s pick: Being that this game is on the road, it probably won’t be an easy one for the River Hawks. But they should still win.
UML 4, AIC 2
Dave’s picks: A tough time against a team that is 5-21-2? If the River Hawks struggle in this one, I’ll have to knock down their title chances at least a notch.
UML 5, AIC 1
