Somehow Dave and I continue to put up the same record, week after week. That leaves us tied yet again.
Jim last week: 10-6-0
Jim to date: 82-54-12
Dave last week: 10-6-0
Dave to date: 82-54-12
Friday, January 5
Merrimack at Connecticut
Jim’s pick: These are two teams each looking to get things going in the second half. UConn, though, worried me with their inability to score since returning from break.
MC 2, UConn 1
Dave’s pick: Getting shut out in both games since the break is a major concern for UConn, but I think the Huskies will score just enough to win this one.
UConn 2, MC 1
Vermont at UMass Lowell
Jim’s pick: I feel like the River Hawks are the better team here, just wish they could show more consistency. Still, I’ll pick them.
UML 4, UVM 2
Dave’s pick: I’ll take the River Hawks inconsistency over Vermont’s consistently poor performances (2-10-3) since the season’s opening weeks.
UML 4, UVM 1
Massachusetts at Yale
Jim’s pick: I would feel better picking the Minutemen if they had Cale Makar in their lineup. But I’m still going to go with UMass given some of their non-league success thus far.
UMass 3, Yale 2
Dave’s pick: I doubted UMass for too long. I’ve hopped on the bandwagon.
UMass 3, Yale 2
Northeastern at Bentley
Jim’s pick: In days when Northeastern struggled with AHC opponents, Bentley was the Huskies’ kryptonite. I think those days are in the past.
NU 5, Bentley 2
Dave’s pick: I picked Northeastern in these games even during the Kryptonite Era, and I’ll pick the Huskies again.
NU 5, Bentley 1
Ice Vegas Invitational (Las Vegas, Nev.)
Boston College vs. Michigan Tech
Jim’s pick: You have to believe that if BC is going to travel across the country, they will bring their ‘A’ game. It’s doubtful either player from he World Junior team will be back (certainly not Joseph Woll), but I’m all-in on BC in this event.
BC 4, MTU 2
Dave’s pick: The Eagles are the best team in this tournament, and I think they’ll prove it.
BC 4, MTU 3
Saturday, January 6
Maine at Boston University
Jim’s pick: I love the way Maine is playing of late, and I think there’s a chance both teams will have access to the full complement of players after the World Juniors. But something tells me to still have faith in BU.
BU 3, Maine 2
Dave’s pick: Maybe the dominant BU team we thought we’d see this year never shows up, and Maine is 6-0-1 in its last seven, but I, too, am going to cling to what remains in my original faith in BU.
BU 3, Maine 2
Merrimack at Providence
Jim’s pick: Yes, Merrimack beat Denver, but I don’t know if that factors into my decision when they face Providence in a league game.
PC 4, MC 2
Dave’s pick: Kudos to the Warriors for that stunning upset of Denver, but I’m having trouble seeing them repeat that performance against the Friars.
PC 4, MC 1
Massachusetts at UMass Lowell
Jim’s pick: My gut says to pick the upset here and go with UMass. But this is one of those games I feel the River Hawks will get up for.
UML 4, UMass 3
Dave’s pick: At the beginning of the season, this was a no-brainer for the River Hawks. Now, it’s a tough call that comes down to home ice.
UML 3, UMass 2
Bentley at Northeastern
Jim’s pick: Going back home, Northeastern should be able to complete the sweep.
NU 4, Bentley 1
Dave’s pick: Agreed. It’s all Huskies.
NU 5, Bentley 1
Brown at New Hampshire
Jim’s pick: New Hampshire really needs a win to get back on track. And a Brown team that has mustered just 31 goals thus far might be what the doctor ordered.
UNH 3, Brown 1
Dave’s pick: It’s possible I might be picking the Wildcats in this match-up even if it were on the road, but home ice makes them a more comfortable choice.
UNH 3, Brown 2
Ice Vegas Invitational (Las Vegas, Nev.)
Boston College vs. Arizona State/Northern Michigan
Jim’s pick: Like I said, I’m betting BC all the way in this tournament.
BC 5, ASU 2; BC 4, NMU 2
Dave’s pick: Agreed. All in on the Eagles.
BC 5 ASU 1; BC 4, NMU 3
Monday, January 8
Maine at Brown
Jim’s pick: An odd Monday night game on the road shouldn’t deter Maine.
Maine 4, Brown 1
Dave’s pick: Is Maine really 5-1-0 on the road going into this weekend? My, how times have changed!
Maine 4, Brown 2
