Jim and I are now in a dead heat, not much different than Hockey East.
Dave last week: 5-3-2
Jim last week: 4-4-2
Dave’s record-to-date: 102-67-16
Jim’s record-to-date: 102-67-16
Here are this week’s picks:
Friday, February 24
Boston College at Providence
Dave’s pick: I may not pick against BC the rest of the year. Eight straight and counting.
BC 4, PC 2
Jim’s pick: Full agreement here. I’m not sure I see a game that I think BC should lose.
BC 3, PC 2
Maine at Northeastern
Dave’s pick: A tough call here. The Black Bears desperately need a win to secure home ice; the Huskies desperately need a win to make the playoffs. There isn’t an outcome that would surprise me.
Maine 3, NU 2 (OT)
Jim’s pick: This, to me, is where Maine turns magical. It seems to be a year of destiny for the Black Bears and this is the weekend that really could kick things off.
Maine 5, NU 3
Massachusetts-Lowell at Merrimack
Dave’s pick: The single toughest pick of the weekend. I’m going with Lowell to extend Merrimack’s winless streak to five games.
UML 3, MC 2 (OT)
Jim’s pick: As much as I want to pick differently than the Ol’ Man, I simply can’t here.
UML 3, MC 1
New Hampshire at Massachusetts
Dave’s pick: In a home-and-home series, I’d opt for the home team each night. But both games this weekend are at the Mullins Center. I’m sorely tempted to pick a UNH sweep, but the Wildcats are 3-8-3 on the road and the Minutemen are 8-3-3 at home. Not to mention that UMass has toppled Maine and BU the last two weekends.
UMass 4, UNH 3
Jim’s pick: Now here is my first point of differentiation. I like a split here but think UNH wins the first.
UNH 4, UMass 2
Boston University at Vermont
Dave’s pick: Unless the shocking events on the police blotter have the Terriers’ heads spinning, this one’s easy.
BU 5, UVM 2
Jim’s pick: I don’t think this is anywhere as easy as Dave says, but still think BU comes out on top.
BU 3, UVM 2
Saturday, February 25
Providence at Boston College
Dave’s pick: The Eagles sweep, putting themselves within two home wins against Vermont of a league title.
BC 5, PC 2
Jim’s pick: Agreed. Another sweep for the Eagles.
BU 4, PC 1
Boston University at Vermont
Dave’s pick: The Terriers ride their special teams to the sweep.
BU 4, UVM 2
Jim’s pick: This one will be closer than you think.
BU 4, UVM 3 (OT)
Merrimack at Massachusetts-Lowell
Dave’s pick: Despite the River Hawks’ loss at Tsongas last weekend to BU, they still have the best home record in the league.
UML 4, MC 3
Jim’s pick: Lowell’s sweep keeps the final weekend very interesting.
UML 3, MC 1
Maine at Northeastern
Dave’s pick: I don’t feel comfortable with this pick, but I’m going with another sweep, this one for the Black Bears.
Maine 4, NU 3
Jim’s pick: Dave and I have the same discomfort level here.
Maine 3, NU 2 (OT)
New Hampshire at Massachusetts
Dave’s pick: I hate picking splits in series when both games are at the same venue, but I’m going to on this one, knowing full well that when the split goes the opposite way, my 0h-fer will hand the season pick’s title to Jimmy. I just see UNH rising to the occasion.
UNH 3, UMass 2 (OT)
Jim’s pick: And I will take that title, if things work out my way.
UMass 4, UNH 2
