NCHC picks: Oct. 30

Matthew gained a game back on me, because I picked Western Michigan to sweep, but I still have a two-game lead. I went 8-4-2 last week, not bad, while Matthew went 9-3-2. On the year, I am 25-14-5, while Matthew is 23-16-5. We’ve got some big conference series this weekend, so let’s see what we can do.

Friday, Oct. 30

No. 5 Denver at No. 4 Boston College
Candace: I’m tempted to pick Denver, but I think the layoff from last weekend combined with the long flight might hurt the Pioneers. Boston College 3-2
Matthew: This is the start of a big weekend for the Pioneers, but I don’t see it going how they want it to. Boston College 3-2

Friday-Saturday, Oct. 30-31

No. 1 North Dakota at Colorado College
Candace: I saw CC play Boston College last week; North Dakota is better than BC, and should get a sweep. North Dakota 4-1, 4-2
Matthew: CC is going to get into the win column before long, but I don’t see it happening this weekend. North Dakota 3-1, 4-2

No. 15 Miami at No. 14 St. Cloud State
Candace: This will likely be a split. I’m guessing St. Cloud wins the first night and bounces back from getting swept last weekend. St. Cloud 3-2, Miami 3-2
Matthew: This will probably be a split, but I’ll go out on a limb and take a sweep because it’s so tough to tell who wins which night in a series that looks close on paper. St. Cloud State 4-3, 3-2

No. 2 Omaha at Western Michigan
Candace: I’m tempted to pick an Omaha sweep. Western has been good at home though. Western Michigan 3-2, Omaha 4-2
Matthew: I think Western bounces back from a rough weekend at Clarkson but won’t sweep a UNO team that has started this season on fire. Western Michigan 3-1, Omaha 4-1

No. 7 Massachusetts-Lowell at No. 6 Minnesota-Duluth
Candace: Probably the toughest series to pick all weekend. Lowell has had trouble scoring so far. I’m pretty sure Duluth wins game one, and with the long road trip, I’ll go out on a limb and pick Duluth to sweep. Minnesota-Duluth 3-2, 3-1
Matthew: I want to go with the homer pick, but this has split written all over it. UML 3-2, UMD 2-0

Saturday, Oct. 31
No. 5 Denver at No. 8 Boston University
Candace: BU has been very inconsistent, so I think Denver takes this. Denver 3-2
Matthew: I can’t see DU coming away from this weekend empty-handed. I like the Pioneers to steal one at Agganis. Denver 4-2