Well, after Matthew took a big lead from the games on Friday, I rallied, and thanks to Minnesota-Duluth’s win on Sunday over Notre Dame, Matthew and I both went 9-5 (.555) in our opening week.
Every team but St. Cloud is in action this week. Let’s see how we can do.
Friday-Saturday, Oct. 17-18
No. 3 North Dakota at Colorado College
Candace: I’m tempted to pick CC in one of these games, but I’m not sure if a sweep against Alabama-Huntsville is something that indicated the Tigers have turned a corner, even if North Dakota seems destined to get off to a slow start again. North Dakota 3-1, 3-2
Matthew: UND is notorious for starting seasons slowly, and did again last Friday in losing 5-1 at home against Bemidji State, but I think UND has enough going for it against a CC team that struggled at home last weekend against Alabama-Huntsville. North Dakota 4-2, 3-1
Nebraska-Omaha at Western Michigan
Candace: UNO did a little better than I expected last weekend, and Western Michigan did a little worse, all of which means I have zero idea how this series will play out. I’ll pick a sweep and hope I get one right. Nebraska-Omaha 3-1, 3-2
Matthew: Neither of these teams really blew me away last weekend, and this looks on paper like a pretty even matchup. To me, this series has split all over it. Western Michigan 3-1, Nebraska-Omaha 3-2
Rensselaer at No. 16 Denver
Candace: It’s hard to know if RPI’s win over Notre Dame was one of those instances where the opponent was overrated, or if RPI is better than people think it is. Will Denver be able to score on Jason Kasdorf, who played so well for the Engineers in South Bend? I think just enough. Denver 2-1, 3-2
Matthew: After putting up a better-than-expected showing last weekend at the IceBreaker in South Bend, I’m a little surprised RPI didn’t get more love in our national poll this week. After they visit the Pioneers, though, I think the Engineers will come down to Earth a little bit. Denver 3-2, 3-2
No. 20 Minnesota-Duluth vs. No. 12 Minnesota State (home-and-home)
Candace: Minnesota-Duluth had a great weekend last week, while the Mavericks really only played well in one period against UNO. If both games were in Duluth, I’d go with a Bulldogs sweep, but I think Minnesota State does well on home ice. Minnesota-Duluth 2-1, Minnesota State 3-1
Matthew: I really liked what I saw from UMD last weekend at the IceBreaker, and I think there’s a good chance they could sweep MSU this weekend. I’m not positive that the Bulldogs will do the business in Mankato, though, so I’m going to take the safe option. Minnesota-Duluth 4-2, Minnesota State 3-1
No. 11 Miami vs. Ohio State (home-and-home)
Candace: This series should be one of the best of the weekend, and a split seems likely. I’ll take the home squad in each. Ohio State 2-1, Miami 3-2
Matthew: The Buckeyes fared very well last weekend — albeit at home — against a very good Providence team, and I’m starting to wonder if this will be a tougher test for Miami than I first thought it’d be. Ohio State 3-1, Miami 2-1
