Well USA Hockey has released the camp roster for the World Junior Championships tonight and there was no real surprises from the Hockey East players that were named to camp.
As expected Charlie Coyle was named to team He added two points this weekend against Boston College and two camp-mates, Bill Arnold and Johnny Gaudreau. While it wasn’t really surprising to see Gaudreau’s named announced, but I thought he was going to be the one name I mentioned on Thursday that wouldn’t be named. I didn’t expect to see Kevin Hayes name to be left off and Matthew Nieto of Boston University.
Adam Clendening of Boston University is the fourth player from a Boston area school to be named to the camp roster.
Lastly Vermont’s Connor Brickley is also heading to Alberta to camp. I like him on that bottom line.
You can see the entire roster here.
Tuesday’s Game
Providence at Boston College
This should be an intriguing game as Providence is coming off sweeping Merrimack this past this weekend. The Eagles are coming off a split with Boston University. The Eagles haven’t been as consistent as the start of the year. There overall talent should be able to get them out of this funk. It sounds like the Eagles will be going with freshman Brian Billett in net for the foreseeable future. I will take the Eagles in a close game.
Wednesday’s Games
Vermont at Merrimack
Merrimack will get back on track as they host Vermont who is in the basement of the Hockey East standings. This should be a no contest as Merrimack has the advantage in goal, on defense, and have more offensive fire power.
Yale at Massachusetts
This will be the second weekend in a row where Massachusetts will face an IVY League school. They earned a tie with Harvard, but Yale is the class of the ECAC conference. They bring a lot of fire power that I feel Massachusetts will have a hard time to handle. The Bulldogs will go into Amherst and pick up the victory.
Thursday’s Game
Boston University at New Hampshire
Another good weekday game as the Terriers travel up to Durham, New Hampshire to face the Wildcats. Both teams got off to a very slow start, but both have stabilized through November into December. This will be a close game and I am been leaning back and forth on who will win this game. I will go with the Terriers as their big gun sophomores have been tearing it up lately.
Friday’s Game
Boston College at Massachusetts-Lowell
Lowell has been on a roll lately, but I expect them to hit a small road bump against the Eagles. I don’t expect Boston College to blow the River Hawks out by any stretch because the River Hawks have upset Boston University earlier this year. The Eagles win by two.
Saturday’s Games
Massachusetts-Lowell at Northeastern
A battle of two teams that are riding a high and something will have to give. With the River Hawks playing back to back nights will be good for them as they can stay on focus no matter what happens on Friday night. The Huskies will be rested and ready to go. I like the River Hawks in this contest.
Boston University at Maine
The Terriers continue their trip up Interstate-95 with a game against the Black Bears. I expect the Terriers to shut down the Spencer Abbott-Joey Diamond-Brian Flynn line and will be able to use their depth in the victory. Until the Black Bears can beat a quality opponent, I have a hard time picking the.
Merrimack at Colgate
The Warriors travel to New York to face ECAC opponent. It should be a tough test for the Warriors as Colgate is second in the ECAC. I still expect the Merrimack to come away with two points.
Hockey East Teams in the USCHO.com Top 20: 3. Boston College 5. Merrimack 11. Boston University 18. Massachusetts-Lowell 20. Providence Others in consideration Northeastern