Friday-Saturday, Nov. 17-18

No. 8 Amherst at No. 10 Connecticut College
This is an interesting matchup, as it sees two ranked teams that haven’t played yet. Nothing like a trial by fire, but I guess we’ll learn a lot about the top of the NESCAC based on this series. It’s early, and Connecticut College gets to be at home, so I’ll choose a split here. Amherst 3-1, Connecticut College 3-2

St. Scholastica at No. 4 Adrian
St. Scholastica has allowed just four goals thus far this season and sit atop the NCHA right now. Adrian will be their toughest test, and the Bulldogs have a lot to prove and some ground to make up. I’ll pick the national runner-ups at home, but think St. Scholastica could really push them. Adrian 4-2, 3-2.

No. 7 Gustavus Adolphus vs. Hamline
I expect Gustavus Adolphus to win this home-and-home series, but Hamline definitely isn’t going to be a pushover. Gustavus Adolphus 3-1, 3-2

Neumann at Utica
Neumann has been a surprise in the UCHC, and Utica will be their toughest test so far. If the Knights can earn a split here, they’ve got a bit of an easier schedule until the final weekend. I’m going to call for a split. Utica 2-1, Neumann 3-2

Saturday, Nov. 18

No. 10 Wisconsin-Eau Claire at No. 5 Wisconsin-River Falls
This is the big matchup of the week for me, because no matter what’s happening with either team, we usually get an amazing game from these two. They push each other and tend to split their meetings over the course of the season. I’ll take Wis.-River Falls at home. Wis.-River Falls 4-2.

Picking reverse sweeps from Matthew for CC-Omaha and Denver-St. Cloud worked out well for me, as I again opened a two-game lead on him. Last week, I went 6-1-1  (.8125) while Matthew went 4-3-1 (.562). On the year, I am 40-19-8 (.656) while Matthew is 38-21-8 (.626).

Let’s see if we do any better this week.

Friday-Saturday, Nov. 17-18

No. 3 North Dakota at No. 1 Denver
Candace: This is the marquee series of the weekend. These two always seem to bring a unique intensity when they face each other. A split is the only logical choice. Denver 3-2, North Dakota 3-2
Matthew: I’d be really impressed if Denver was to sweep two top-three opponents in back-to-back weeks, but I’m not counting on it. Denver 3-1, North Dakota 3-1

No. 14 Minnesota Duluth at Miami
Candace: Minnesota Duluth has been struggling, and Miami has looked like it’s on the verge of putting it together. I think this is a split. Minnesota Duluth 3-2, Miami 3-2
Matthew: Duluth is 1-3 in its last four and is on the road this weekend. Miami isn’t as formidable right now as UMD’s past two opponents, but I like Miami to take one here. Minnesota Duluth 3-1, Miami 3-2

Colorado College at No. 2 St. Cloud State
Candace: I’m guessing that St. Cloud will do exactly what Denver did last weekend. The Pios got swept on the road and learned their lesson and then swept a tough opponent at home. Look for St. Cloud to do the same. St. Cloud State 3-2, 3-2
Matthew: I’m really tempted to pick a split here considering CC’s start to the season, but I think St. Cloud will find a way to win both games. St. Cloud State 3-2, 4-2

Omaha at No. 15 Western Michigan
Candace: Just to pick a game differently than Matthew, I’ll go with a split, though picking against the Broncos at home is dicey. Omaha 3-2, Western Michigan 3-2
Matthew: Western’s been very good at home so far. Difficult to pick against them at Lawson. Western Michigan 3-1, 3-1