Men’s Hockey East Weekly Preview
By: Marisa Ingemi
Last Week in Review
There hasn’t been any Hockey East action since last weekend. What we did see last weekend was Boston University picking up two wins, Boston College putting up a seven spot on Providence before tying them the next night, and UMass Lowell shutting down New Hampshire.
What to Watch
Boston University vs Boston College: The first Battle of Comm Ave of the year. Both teams have been playing well, and the Eagles were able to beat and then tie Providence last week. The Terriers have won three in a row, including a win at Harvard. If Thatcher Demko is healthy for the Eagles, that changes things for BC.
Maine vs Connecticut: Maine is a good home team. The Huskies are a weird team to predict after they did sweep UMass Lowell last month, but they have more recently lost three in a row. The Black Bears have a chance to get back on track against a Huskies team that has been somewhat lost.
Merrimack vs Notre Dame: Notre Dame hasn’t lost a contest since Novemeber and the Warriors have been sliding since about then. Merrimack has struggled to score of late, and has been suffering some bad losses.
New Hampshire vs Northeastern: Out of no where, Northeastern has been playing kind of well. However, New Hampshire has also been a good team since December. The Wild Cats were shutout last week, but it was to the stellar defense of Lowell. Northeastern swept St Lawrence on the road, a team that has been ranked for much of this year.
UMass Lowell vs UMass: The Riverhawks are slumping, but are a much better team. UMass has been playing poorly for some time now, and this is a chance for Lowell to get back on track.
Providence vs Vermont: Providence is slumping and Vermont has won four straight contests. The Friars are 1-3-1 in their past five games, including a blowout loss to Boston College a week ago. The Catamounts are surging, and might be able to pick up a nice conference win this weekend.
Predictions
Boston University vs Boston College: The Eagles and Terriers are both playing really well and it might be home ice that makes the biggest difference here. BU is on a roll, but it’s hard to predict a sweep when Boston College is one of the best teams in the nation.
Prediction: Split
Maine vs Connecticut: With two home games, its tough to look at this series and not take the Black Bears. However, they have been slumping themselves with four losses in their last five games. But UConn is struggling just a little bit more, and that gives the ‘Bears an opportunity to get back on track.
Prediction: Maine Sweep
Merrimack vs Notre Dame: Merrimack is just not playing good hockey. Notre Dame is on a tear and has a chance to move up in the conference with a couple of victories, which they should notch here.
Prediction: Notre Dame Sweep
New Hampshire vs Northeastern: UNH has lost two straight after playing extremely well for a time. The Huskies have emerged as more than an easy win on the schedule. This is a home and home series, and these teams should split.
Prediction: Split
UMass Lowell vs UMass: UMass has been really struggling, and the Riverhawks should smell blood in the water and take advantage of that. At 1-9-3 since early November, the Minutemen might be done and a stellar defense in Lowell should shut them down.
Prediction: UMass Lowell Sweep
Providence vs Vermont: Its a home and home series with a slumping team and a hot team. Providence has been an elite team all season, but now getting into conference play, the Friars do not look nearly as good.
Prediction: Split