I had the best week of my year right before break giving me some breathing room over Dave.
Jim last week: 8-1-0
Jim to-date: 81-39-12
Dave last week: 5-4-0
Dave to-date: 77-43-12
Friday, December 27
Three Rivers Classic (Pittsburgh)
Boston College vs. Bowling Green
Jim’s pick: Jerry York may be facing his old squad, but don’t expect BC to have any mercy.
BC 5, BSGU 2
Dave’s pick: Agreed. Even coming out of the holiday break with the rust that involves as well as the players away at the World Juniors, BC should have an easy time of it.
BC 4, BGSU 1
Saturday, December 27
Three Rivers Classic (Pittsburgh)
Boston College vs. Robert Morris/Penn State
Jim’s pick: I see the Eagles taking home the title regardless of opponent, even missing a few players to World Juniors.
BC 3, RMU 2; BC 4, PSU 2
Dave’s pick: I’m with Jimmy. The Eagles are the class of this tournament.
BC 4, RMU 2; BC 4, PSU 2
Florida College Classic (Estero, Fla.)
New Hampshire vs. Cornell
Jim’s pick: This will be quite a test to begin the second half for the Wildcats. I think they will pass.
UNH 4, Cornell 2
Dave’s pick: Even though Cornell comes in at 7-4-2 and UNH at only 9-9-1, I’m also going with the Wildcats.
UNH 3, Cornell 2
Maine vs. Princeton
Jim’s pick: Maine hasn’t played well away from Alfond, but as co-host, this should be Maine’s home-away-from-home
Maine 3, Princeton 2
Dave’s pick: Home or away, Maine is simply the superior team to the 3-12-0 Tigers.
Maine 4, Princeton 1
Catamount Cup (Burlington, Vt.)
Massachusetts-Lowell vs. Canisius
Jim’s pick: Lowell entered break a red-hot team. Will it continue into the second half? I think so.
UML 3, Canisius 1
Dave’s pick: I wouldn’t be surprised at all to see Lowell reprise its role last year as the nation’s top team down the stretch.
UML 4, Canisius 1
Clarkson at Vermont
Jim’s pick: This is a tough game to pick given Clarkson’s first-half success and Vermont’s success at home. I’m going with home ice.
UVM 4, Clarkson 2
Dave’s pick: Catamount fans aren’t going to be happy with this pick, but I just can’t ignore Clarkson’s 12-3-1 record.
Clarkson 4, UVM 2
Sunday, December 29
Florida College Classic (Estero, Fla.)
Consolation/Championship
Jim’s pick: I think this is Maine’s tournament to win and UNH will beat any team except Maine on the second night.
Maine 3, UNH 2 (OT); UNH 4, Princeton 2; Maine 4, Cornell 2
Dave’s pick: I think it’s UNH’s tournament to win and Maine will beat any team except UNH on the second night.
UNH 3, Maine 2; UNH 4, Princeton 2; Maine 3, Cornell 2
Catamount Cup (Burlington, Vt.)
Massachusetts-Lowell vs. Clarkson
Jim’s pick: The River Hawks can’t play host Vermont as this is a set-field tournament. Thus, they might head back to Lowell champions without even knowing it. That’s what I think will happen.
UML 4, Clarkson 2
Dave’s pick: I need to disagree more with Jim to make up ground, but I can’t disagree.
UML 4, Clarkson 2
Vermont vs. Canisius
Jim’s pick: Cats continue to roll at home.
UVM 3, Canisius 1
Dave’s pick: Once again, Jim and I agree.
UVM 4, Canisius 1
UConn Holiday Classic (Storrs, Conn.)
Massachusetts vs. Quinnipiac
Jim’s pick: This is the first time I’m picking against at Hockey East team, but Quinnipiac is simply too good for UMass.
QU 4, UMass 2
Dave’s pick: UMass may have finished the first half strong with three wins in its last four, but Quinnipiac comes in at 13-3-3 with a 7-1-2 record at home.
QU 4, UMass 1
Ledyard Bank Classic (Hanover, N.H.)
Northeastern vs. Air Force
Jim’s pick: Air Force always plays well out of conference, but I think NU can handle the Falcons.
NU 4, AFA 1
Dave’s pick: I was slow to believe of the Huskies this season, but they’ve opened my eyes.
NU 4, AFA 2
Providence at Dartmouth
Jim’s pick: I’m very interested to see how Providence plays without Jon Gillies, who is at World Juniors. It was a downfall last year. I think the team in front is better this season.
PC 3, DC 2
Dave’s pick: Agreed. The Friars aren’t as dependent on Gillies this year and are facing a 2-10-0 team. Even on Dartmouth’s home ice, Providence should prevail.
PC 4, DC 1
Monday, December 30
UConn Holiday Classic
Consolation/Championship
Jim’s pick: I think UMass wins on the second night regardless of opponent.
UMass 4, SHU 1; UMass 3, UConn 2
Dave’s pick: Once again, I have to agree. UConn has been tough on its home ice (5-1-1), but I’m with UMass.
UMass 3, SHU 1; UMass 3, UConn 2
Ledyard Bank Classic
Consolation/Championship
Jim’s pick: Could this be an all-Hockey East final? If so, I think the Friars come out on top. Actually, I think the Friars come out on top no matter what.
PC 4, NU 2; PC 3 DC 2; NU 5, AFA 2
Dave’s pick: Agreed. Providence and Northeastern are head-and-shoulders over Dartmouth and Air Force.
PC 3, NU 2; PC 4 DC 2; NU 4, AFA 2
