NCHC picks: Feb. 20

Well, Matthew got a couple of games back on me last week. I went 4-3-1 and Matthew went 6-1-1. On the year, I am 102-41-10 and Matthew is 96-47-10.

Friday-Saturday, Feb. 20-21

No. 9 Denver vs. Colorado College (home-and-home)
Candace: Normally, I’d think CC would have this in the bag, but it’s been a pretty unusual season for the Tigers, and Denver gets coach Jim Montgomery back. Denver 2-1, 4-1
Matthew: CC is due for a win and I think they’ll get one this weekend, but only one. Home teams win. Colorado College 2-1, Denver 4-1

No. 7 Minnesota-Duluth at No. 6 Miami
Candace: This one is really hard to pick the split order in. I think the road trip means Miami wins the first. Miami 3-2, Minnesota-Duluth 3-2
Matthew: A battle of two teams that have been hot lately. Hard to call anything other than a split here, but who will win which night? Miami 3-2, Minnesota-Duluth 2-1

No. 5 Omaha at St. Cloud State
Candace: It’s possible this might be a split, but it’s pretty hard to pick the order, so … Omaha 4-2, 3-2
Matthew: UNO has split its last two series and needs to turn that around this weekend in St. Cloud. I think the Mavericks will do it. Omaha 3-1, 3-2

No. 1 North Dakota at Western Michigan
Candace: North Dakota takes another step toward the Penrose Cup. North Dakota 2-1, 4-1
Matthew: Teams can’t afford to sleep on this Western team, but I think UND will do what it takes to stay at least tied at the top of the league. North Dakota 3-2, 3-1