NCHC picks: Jan. 30

Last weekend, I put three more games between Matthew and I to re-establish a comfortable lead, going 7-1 (.875) while Matthew went 4-4 (.500). On the year, I am 89-37-8 (.694) and Matthew is 83-43-8 (649).

Friday-Saturday, Jan. 30-31

St. Cloud State at Colorado College
Candace: CC keeps showing improvement, while St. Cloud has been hovering. I think I’ll go with a split. Colorado College 3-2, St. Cloud 2-1
Matthew: St. Cloud has yet to turn their season around, so I don’t think CC could’ve picked a better time to host the Huskies. I’m going for a split here. Colorado College 2-1, St. Cloud State 3-1

No. 7 Minnesota-Duluth at No. 11 Denver
Candace: These two teams split in October, and I think history repeats itself. Denver 3-2, Minnesota-Duluth 3-2
Matthew: DU is 10-3-0 at home this season, but I see Duluth getting back on track following a North Star College Cup in which the Bulldogs should’ve done better. Minnesota-Duluth 3-1, 3-1

No. 1 North Dakota at No. 5 Omaha
Candace: I think even the dreaded Twitter handle @RedArmyUNO would be happy if their Mavericks got a split. Omaha 4-2, North Dakota 4-1
Matthew: Easily the biggest series in the country this weekend, and it puts together two teams that have always put on entertaining games against each other. I’m not expecting anything different there this time, and I think they’ll have to both live with a split. Omaha 3-2, North Dakota 3-2

Saturday, Jam. 31

No. 9 Miami at Western Michigan
Candace: Miami has been inconsistent in the second half, and Western Michigan has been hot, but I’ll go with the visitors. Miami 3-2
Matthew: A .500 road team visits a team that’s below .500 this season at home. I’ll take the RedHawks, but this one will be close. Miami 4-3