Thanks to UMass’ win on Saturday at Arizona State, I’ve grabbed a one-game lead in the season-long picks race. Let’s hope to expand on that this week.
Jim last week: 9-5-2
Dave last week: 8-6-2
Friday, October 13
Connecticut at AIC
Jim’s pick: AIC has tended to “play up” when facing Hockey East teams in the past, which gives a cause for concern. But UConn has enough firepower to prevail.
UConn 4, AIC 2
Dave’s pick: AIC has opened the season 0-2-1 in its three games against Atlantic Hockey foes. It’s looking like the Yellow Jackets will spend another year in the lower half of that league. That’s no recipe for beating UConn.
UConn 4, AIC 1
Wisconsin at Boston College
Jim’s pick: I think this is a pretty even matchup. And given the fact that BC went toe-to-toe with a good Quinnipiac team last weekend, I think they can pull out a win on home ice.
BC 3, UW 2
Dave’s pick: Agreed. Home ice prevails.
BC 3, UW 2
Minnesota State at Boston University
Jim’s pick: The preseason favorite in the WCHA vs. the preseason favorite in Hockey East. This is a good time to show which league is better.
BU 4, MSU 1
Dave’s pick: The WCHA vs. Hockey East debates used to be hotly contested. Not anymore.
BU 4, MSU 2
Massachusetts at Union
Jim’s pick: Union is 0-3 thus far, but has also played three ranked opponents. Look for the Dutchmen to get in the win column.
UC 5, UMass 2
Dave’s pick: Jim took the words out of my mouth. It’ll be a stunner if Union isn’t once again near the top of the ECAC and UMass on the flip side in Hockey East.
UC 4, UMass 1
Omaha at UMass Lowell
Jim’s pick: The River Hawks gave every reason to pick against them last weekend. But I still believe they are better than their 0-2 record suggests.
UML 3, Omaha 2
Dave’s pick: Anyone out there expect the River Hawks to be oh-fer at this point? Liar! I’m still a believer.
UML 4, Omaha 2
Colgate at New Hampshire
Jim’s pick: Converse to Lowell, UNH gave us every reason to pick them again this weekend, so that’s exactly what I’m going to do.
UNH 4, CU 2
Dave’s pick: Colgate took three of four points from Merrimack last week, so I think this will be a close one, but playing at the Whitt helps the cause.
UNH 3, CU 2
Saturday, October 14
Minnesota State at Boston University
Jim’s pick: BU gets the sweep to go to 4-0, but it won’t be easy.
BU 4, MSU 3
Dave’s pick: The Terriers go to 4-0 while the Mavericks fall to 0-3.
BU 3, MSU 2
Wisconsin at Merrimack
Jim’s pick: This will be a big game for Merrimack, hosting one of the traditional national powers. It’s homecoming weekend and Lawler will be packed. Here’s my upset special this week.
MC 3, UW 2
Dave’s pick: I’d love to see the upset, but the Warriors could only manage a single point against Colgate last weekend.
UW 3, MC 2
Vermont at Quinnipiac
Jim’s pick: On paper, Vermont should have a pretty good shot here. But I’m a little down on the Catamounts after splitting with CC last weekend.
QU 4, UVM 2
Dave’s pick: Agreed. Splitting with a team that went 8-24-4 last year gives me no confidence the Catamounts can topple a team as strong as Quinnipiac.
QU 5, UVM 2
Northeastern vs. RIT (at Blue Cross Arena, Rochester)
Jim’s pick: This is the game RIT and its fans get amped for every year and it has produced a few upsets along the way. That said, I think this NU offense is too strong to be shut down right now.
NU 5, RIT 2
Dave’s pick: The Huskies will be a fun team to watch this year.
NU 5, RIT 3
Connecticut at Sacred Heart
Jim’s pick: An old MAAC/Atlantic Hockey rivalry, I don’t expect this one to be too close. Sacred Heart simply didn’t show much against Northeastern.
UConn 4, SHU 1
Dave’s pick: Agreed. Giving up 14 goals on a weekend doesn’t inspire confidence.
UConn 5, SHU 1
AIC at Massachusetts
Jim’s pick: The battle of the two Springfield-area schools, this should be a game UMass can win. Question is will they?
UMass 3, AIC 2
Dave’s pick: UMass surprised me last week when it salvaged a split at Arizona State. Though I’m not confident in the Minutemen’s chances this year, this should be a game they put into the win column.
UMass 4, AIC 2
Omaha at UMass Lowell
Jim’s pick: Something tells me this is going to be a split, but I’m not confident enough to bet on that.
UML 5, Omaha 4
Dave’s pick: It’s a back-on-track weekend for the River Hawks.
UML 4, Omaha 2
Colgate at New Hampshire
Jim’s pick: Could New Hampshire actually start this season 4-0? Hard to believe, but I’m picking it.
UNH 3, Colgate 1
Dave’s pick: On the road would be a different story, but I, too, am picking a Wildcats sweep.
UNH 3, Colgate 2
Saturday, October 15
Boston College at Providence
Jim’s pick: It’s difficult to tell where these two teams are at in many facets. But I’m inclined to go with the team I perceived as better prior to the season.
PC 4, BC 2
Dave’s pick: These two teams are so closely matched, I see home ice as the deciding factor.
PC 3, BC 2 (OT)
Vermont at Union
Jim’s pick: A long weekend of bus travel could take its toll on the Catamounts.
UC 4, UVM 3
Dave’s pick: I’m not picking Union based on bus travel; I just think it’s the superior team.
UC 4, UVM 2
