I had a pretty good week, but so did Jim. My razor-thin margin remains.
Dave last week: 6-1-2
Jim last week: 6-1-2
Dave’s record-to-date: 83-38-11
Jim’s record-to-date: 82-39-11
Here are this week’s picks:
Friday, Dec. 12
Maine at New Hampshire
Dave’s pick: Maine’s home/road splits are hard to ignore, and I also think the Wildcats are much better than their record.
UNH 4, UM 2
Jim’s pick: I agree with Dave here. Though I like the way Maine is playing right now, its record away from Alfond is impossible to ignore.
UNH 3, UM 2
St. Lawrence at Vermont
Dave’s pick: St. Lawrence is a good team, but Vermont is even better.
UVM 4, SLU 2
Jim’s pick: At home, Vermont is a pretty easy pick.
UVM 5, SLU 2
Saturday, Dec. 13
Michigan at Boston College
Dave’s pick: BC is only one game over .500; Michigan, two. Home ice makes the difference.
BC 3, UM 2
Jim’s pick: I have seen both of these teams play in person and I think that Michigan was a much better team. Does that play out on road ice?
UM 4, BC 3
New Hampshire at Maine
Dave’s pick: It’s all about the venue in this matchup. Maine has been under .500 at home, but UNH has only a single road win.
UM 4, UNH 3
Jim’s pick: The fact this game is in Portland and not Orono is part of my decision to pick against Maine.
UNH 4, UM 3
Boston University at Rensselaer
Dave’s pick: Even on the road, this one isn’t close. BU is too strong.
BU 5, RPI 2
Jim’s pick: BU should be the better team.
BU 4, RPI 2
Vermont at St. Lawrence
Dave’s pick: I was close to picking a split here, but the Catamounts have made me a believer.
UVM 3, SLU 2 (OT)
Jim’s pick: This will be a great game on the road for Vermont.
UVM 4, SLU 2
Tuesday, Dec. 16
Northeastern at Massachusetts
Dave’s pick: In recent weeks, the Huskies have defeated Merrimack, Minnesota and Providence, with the latter win on the road. It may have taken them until Nov. 15 to get their first W, but this game gives them five in their last seven.
NU 4, UMass 3
Jim’s pick: This might be the most difficult game to pick. Yes, Northeastern is playing much better hockey but UMass has been strong of late as well. Home ice gets my pick.
UMass 3, NU 1
