In the handful of contests last week, I doubled my lead over Jim. (Somehow, that sounds a lot more impressive than saying my lead went from one to two games.)<\/p>\n
I could complain that I would have widened that lead even more if I’d picked the New Hampshire – Maine split the other way, but I’ll take the extra margin and do my best to shut up.<\/p>\n
\n
Dave last week:<\/strong> 4-2-0
\nJim last week:<\/strong> 3-3-0
\nDave’s record-to-date:<\/strong> 87-40-11
\nJim’s record-to-date:<\/strong> 85-42-11<\/p>\n<\/div>\nHere are this week’s picks:<\/p>\n
Frozen Holiday Classic (Bridgeport, CT)<\/strong><\/p>\nSaturday\/Sunday, Dec. 27\/28<\/strong><\/p>\nMassachusetts-Lowell vs Sacred Heart<\/strong> <\/strong>
\nDave’s pick: Sacred Heart stunned the River Hawks a year ago on banner-raising night, but that ain’t happening again.
\nUML 5, SH 1<\/strong>
\nJim’s pick: I think this game has the chance to be closer, but still think Lowell will come out ahead.
\nUML 4, SH 2<\/strong><\/p>\nUnion vs Connecticut<\/strong><\/strong>
\nDave’s pick: Union hasn’t been dominating the ECAC, but it’ll be good enough to advance to the finals.
\nUnion 4, UConn 1<\/strong>
\nJim’s pick: Again, I think Dave’s margin here is a little off but I can’t disagree with the result.
\nUnion 3, UConn 2<\/strong><\/p>\nChampionship\/Third-Place Games<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong>
\nDave’s pick: I’m taking Lowell over all comers, and UConn over Sacred Heart.
\nUML 3, Union 2; UML 4, UConn 1; Union 3, SH 1; UConn 2, SH 1<\/strong>
\nJim’s pick: If Lowell and Union go head-to-head in the title game, that is the marquis matchup. But the first games back from break are always unpredictable.
\nUML 4, Union 3; UML 4, UConn 2; Union 4, SH 1; UConn 3, SH 1<\/strong><\/p>\nFlorida College Classic (Estero, FL)<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\nSunday\/Monday, Dec. 28\/29<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\nMiami vs Notre Dame<\/strong><\/strong>
\nDave’s pick: I’ve been a little too optimistic about the Irish this year, so this time I’m going with Miami.
\nMiami 3, UND 2<\/strong>
\nJim’s pick: Tough game to pick, but I might as well be a little different than Dave.
\nUND 4, Miami 3<\/strong><\/p>\nChampionship\/Third-Place Game<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong> <\/strong>
\nDave’s pick: A match-up with 3-17-0 Lake State will be a cakewalk for Notre Dame, nostalgia notwithstanding; Cornell will be a lot more interesting. It’s a win either way.
\nUND 5, LSSU 1; UND 3, Cornell 2<\/strong>
\nJim’s pick: I agree with Dave on Lake State – no problem for their ex-coach’s squad. But Cornell is another story.
\nUND 4, LSSU 1; Cornell 4, UND 3<\/strong><\/p>\nCatamount Cup (Vermont<\/strong>)<\/strong><\/p>\nSunday, Dec. 28<\/strong><\/p>\nProvidence vs Massachusetts<\/strong> <\/strong>
\nDave’s pick: These two teams are going in opposite directions. No contest.
\nPC 4, UMass 1<\/strong>
\nJim’s pick: Providence had things rolling into break. Did the days off hurt?
\nPC 3, UMass 2<\/strong><\/p>\nAir Force at Vermont<\/strong><\/strong>
\nDave’s pick: This one would be lopsided at any venue. Even more so in the Catamounts’ barn.
\nUVM 5, AF 1<\/strong>
\nJim’s pick: I don’t think Dave gives Air Force enough credit. But I don’t give them enough credit to squeak out a win.
\nUVM 4, AF 2<\/strong><\/p>\nMonday, Dec. 29<\/strong><\/p>\nAir Force vs Massachusetts<\/strong><\/strong>
\nDave’s pick: The second-round matchups are predetermined; I’m going with the Minutemen in a close one.
\nUMass 3, AF 2<\/strong>
\nJim’s pick: I have never liked pre-determined field tournaments, but this one does mean UVM and UMass don’t have to meet again (met twice at end of November). I actually think Air Force can pull out a win in this one.
\nAF 4, UMass 3<\/strong><\/p>\nProvidence at Vermont<\/strong><\/strong>
\nDave’s pick: I was going to pick the Friars until I saw that the Catamounts are undefeated at home. I’m still mightily tempted, but I think home ice wins out. Barely.
\nUVM 2, PC 1 (OT)<\/strong>
\nJim’s pick: Have to agree here. UVM at the Gut is an impressive team. Though this is an impressive matchup.
\nUVM 3, PC 2<\/strong><\/p>\nTuesday\/Wednesday, Dec. 30\/31<\/strong><\/p>\nNew Hampshire at Omaha<\/strong> <\/strong>
\nDave’s pick: The Wildcats are struggling and Nebraska-Omaha is 10-4-2. Unfortunately, I don’t think UNH comes out with more than a point.
\nUNO 4, UNH 3; UNO 3, UNH 2<\/strong>
\nJim’s pick: Especially on the road, I have to agree with Dave. I will pick a sweep for the Mavericks, but should UNH come away with three or four points, this could be the turnaround this club needs.
\nUNO 3, UNH 1; UNO 4, UNH 2<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"In the handful of contests last week, I doubled my lead over Jim. (Somehow, that sounds a lot more impressive than saying my lead went from one to two games.) I could complain that I would have widened that lead even more if I’d picked the New Hampshire – Maine split the other way, but I’ll […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10,"featured_media":140328,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[1425,934],"tags":[1236,1490],"coauthors":[],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n
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