NCHC picks: Feb. 27

Matthew is fading in the rearview mirror, as I correctly picked Denver to sweep Colorado College. I went a measly 4-4 (.500), but Matthew went 3-5 (.375), so on the year, I am 106-45-10 (.720) and Matthew is 99-52-10 (.677), a healthy seven-game lead with two weeks left.

Let’s get to this week’s action.

Friday-Saturday, Feb. 27-28

Western Michigan at Colorado College
Candace: Somehow, I think CC finds a way to lose when it should win. Besides, I think the Broncos are playing for position. Western Michigan 3-2, 3-2
Matthew: Is this the weekend that CC gets back into the win column and starts its stretch run in earnest? It wouldn’t surprise me. Colorado College 3-2, Western Michigan 3-2

No. 5 Miami at No. 7 Denver
Candace: Yes, this is a split. Miami has to hope it can stay within striking distance of North Dakota. Denver 3-1, Miami 4-3
Matthew: This series has “split” written all over it, but the difficulty is in predicting who wins which night. Denver 3-1, Miami 3-1

No. 8 Omaha at No. 6 Minnesota-Duluth
Candace: I feel like I should pick an Omaha sweep, just to strike terror into the heart of @RedArmyUNO, but I’m not that cruel. Neither team has been setting the world on fire of late. Minnesota-Duluth 2-1, Omaha 3-2
Matthew: UMD’s results have been pretty up-and-down of late, but Omaha has lost four of its last five and I’m wondering what’s going on with the Mavericks. Minnesota Duluth 3-1, 3-2

St. Cloud State at No. 1 North Dakota
Candace: A few weeks ago, I’d have picked North Dakota to sweep. I’m still tempted to, but I think the Huskies get a split. St. Cloud 2-1, North Dakota 3-0
Matthew: SCSU has won five of its last six games, and UND could be for its first regulation home loss in almost two months. Split. St. Cloud 3-1, North Dakota 2-0