Matthew and I picked two series differently, but ended the weekend with the same 7-5-2 ho-hum record. On the year, I am 13-9-3 while Matthew is 11-11-3. We’ve got an old WCHA rivalry highlight the offerings this week, as North Dakota hosts Minnesota.Friday-Saturday, Oct. 21-22Lake Superior at No. 1 DenverCandace: Look for Denver’s potent offense to lead the Pioneers to a sweep as they raise last season’s championship banner. Denver 4-1, 4-1Matthew: Tough to see anything other than a Pioneers sweep here. Denver 4-1, 4-2Miami at MaineCandace: I thought Miami would do better last time out. Both teams were off last weekend. I’m calling for Miami to sweep hoping I get one win right. Miami 3-2, 3-2Matthew: I like Miami to get its first counter win of the season, but I’m not confident enough to call for a sweep. Miami 3-2, Maine 3-2No. 13 Boston College at No. 3 St. Cloud StateCandace: St. Cloud has shown it can score in bunches, which is good, since the Huskies also give up lots of goals. I’m going to go for the league homer sweep pick. St. Cloud State 4-2, 5-4Matthew: This might come back to bite me in our predictions contest, but I like the Huskies to sweep here. St. Cloud State 3-2, 3-1Merrimack at No. 9 Minnesota DuluthCandace: Minnesota Duluth has struggled out of the gate, but I think home ice will help. Minnesota Duluth 3-1, 3-1Matthew: I’ll take the Bulldogs to get back on track here after a difficult series with Bemidji State. Minnesota Duluth 3-2, 3-1No. 8 Minnesota at No. 4 North DakotaCandace: I’m going out on a limb here and picking North Dakota to sweep. North Dakota 3-2, 3-2Matthew: Minnesota has made an early pattern of ending weekends better than the Gophers have started them. Don’t be surprised if that happens again here. North Dakota 4-2, Minnesota 3-2Colorado College at No. 17 New HampshireCandace: The Tigers have started strong, but I think New Hampshire is on a mission in coach Dick Umile’s last season. New Hampshire 3-2, 3-2Matthew: Colorado College has started the season well, but hasn’t yet faced a team as good as UNH. I want to say CC will steal a win here, but I don’t know that it happens. New Hampshire 3-2, 3-1Arizona State at OmahaCandace: Omaha looked good against Lowell, and I think home ice will help the Mavericks to a sweep. Omaha 3-2, 3-1Matthew: ASU played Air Force tight twice last weekend, but Omaha might be a tougher test. Omaha 4-2, 3-1Michigan State vs Western Michigan (home-and-home)Candace: The Broncos haven’t looked great since their opening win, but I’m going with the league homer pick. Western Michigan 3-2, 3-1Matthew: I tend to go with the home teams in these sort of series, but I’m going to take a small leap and go with a Western sweep. Western Michigan 3-2, 3-2
