I categorically deny that two weeks ago I allowed Jim to pick up three games on me in a shamelessly sadistic move, knowing full well that I’d gain four this past week. I would never, ever do that to my good buddy.
Heh, heh, heh.
I will say, however, that I’m enjoying my seven game lead. Seven is, after all, my favorite number. It’s the number my son Ryan wore on his hockey jersey for almost his entire career. And my daughter Nicole is a 7-7-7 (July 7, 2007) bride.
Yeah, I’m loving the number seven right now.
Heh, heh, heh.
Dave last week: 8-3-1
Jim last week: 4-7-1
Dave’s record-to-date: 72-39-11
Jim’s record-to-date: 65-46-11
Here are this week’s picks:
Friday, Jan. 11
Maine at Northeastern
Dave’s pick: I’m not totally sold on the Black Bears just yet, but I have as many concerns about the Huskies.
Maine 2, NU 1
Jim’s pick: I’m with Dave here. Even at home, I’m concerned about Northeastern.
Maine 3, NU 1
Providence at Massachusetts
Dave’s pick: At a neutral site, I’d be picking the Friars, but they’ve struggled on the road.
UMass 3, PC 2
Jim’s pick: Even with road struggles, I think Providence is the better team and is will play with urgency after being swept last weekend.
PC 4, UMass 2
New Hampshire at Boston College
Dave’s pick: With the news that BC coach Jerry York will miss both games this weekend following surgery for a detached retina, I almost switched my pick of an overtime BC win into the UNH column. (I even typed it in.) But I’m going to stick with the Eagles to remain undefeated at home. That said, I wouldn’t be shocked at all to see a Wildcat sweep.
BC 3, UNH 2 (OT)
Jim’s pick: I have to agree here as well. I’m pretty bullish on UNH, but I think the Eagles at home are a pretty incredible team.
BC 4, UNH 3
Massachusetts-Lowell at Vermont
Dave’s pick: Hop on the River Hawks bandwagon while there’s still room.
UML 4, UVM 2
Jim’s pick: I’m on the bandwagon, Dave. Just hope it doesn’t hit a bump because it’s a long ride back from Vermont.
UML 3, UVM 2
Boston University at Merrimack
Dave’s pick: I hated to see the Terriers fall to Harvard on Wednesday, but I’m sticking with them in this contest.
BU 4, MC 3 (OT)
Jim’s pick: Did Wednesday damage BU’s confidence at all? Whether it did or not, I’m sticking with BU.
BU 4, MC 2
Saturday, Jan. 12
Boston College at New Hampshire
Dave’s pick: A month ago, this looked like a game that could go into overtime. Not now.
UNH 4, BC 2
Jim’s pick: Agreed. UNH just might sweep this series and I’m definitely going with the Wildcats at home.
UNH 5, BC 3
Maine at Merrimack
Dave’s pick: Maine may have improved of late, but not enough to knock off the Warriors at home.
MC 4, Maine 2
Jim’s pick: This is my coin-flip game of the weekend.
MC 3, Maine 2 (OT)
Massachusetts at Providence
Dave’s pick: The Friars salvage a split back at home to maintain their tenuous hold on fourth place.
PC 4, UMass 2
Jim’s pick: I think Providence finishes the sweep here and starts to get a stranglehold on fourth place.
PC 4, UMass 2
Massachusetts-Lowell at Vermont
Dave’s pick: Seven straight for the River Hawks. They’re going to be rocketing up in the standings.
UML 3, UVM 2
Jim’s pick: I want to call this a split because Vermont is a better team than many of us think. But I also see the River Hawks on a roll here.
UML 2, UVM 1
Thursday, Jan. 17
Providence at Massachusetts-Lowell
Dave’s pick: With their third win in seven days, the River Hawks will almost double their previous point total within Hockey East.
UML 4, PC 3
Jim’s pick: I’m actually going to pick against Lowell here remembering that it was Providence that stiffled the River Hawks in last year’s playoffs.
PC 3, UML 1
