To end our season picks race, I once again beat Matthew, going 5-3 last week wile Matthew was 4-4 (.500). I finished the regular season 96-57-24, while Matthew went 78-75-24. He’ll be sending me beer money, again! We don’t have a contest for the playoffs, but do keep track of it. Let’s see how we do with the first round.

Friday-Saturday, March 9-10

Colorado College at No. 1 Denver
Candace: Ironically, CC has played Denver better in Magness, where the NHL-sized rink allows CC’s trap to effectively counter Denver’s speed and creativity. I think both games will be close, but see Denver getting the sweep. Denver 2-1, 3-1
Matthew: The way this rivalry has gone recently, CC might do really well just to take this series to three games. I don’t think it happens, though. Denver 4-2, 3-1

Miami at No. 3 Minnesota Duluth
Candace: Duluth has struggled of late, but being at home and resetting should equal a sweep and moving on to Minneapolis. Minnesota Duluth 2-1, 3-1
Matthew: Enrico Blasi talked earlier this week about Miami’s opportunity to start over in the second season, but I don’t see the RedHawks moving on to Minneapolis. Minnesota Duluth 3-1, 3-1

No.20 St. Cloud State at No. 14 North Dakota
Candace: This will be a tough series, and OT might happen in at least one game. I like more of what I saw from North Dakota last week than St. Cloud, so I’ll go with the Hawks to sweep at home. North Dakota 3-2, 3-2
Matthew: Both teams are looking to solidify their cases to get into the NCAA tournament. I’m tempted to take SCSU here, but I think UND wins in three games. North Dakota 4-2, St. Cloud State 3-1, North Dakota 3-2

Omaha at No. 7 Western Michigan
Candace: The Broncos have been strong of late, and Omaha hasn’t played well defensively. I see the Broncos getting the sweep. Western Michigan 3-1, 4-2
Matthew: UNO’s offense and power play efficiency will make the Mavericks a tough out, but I like Western Michigan to move on with a couple of tight wins. Western Michigan 5-4, 4-2

Friday, March 9

No. 10 Gustavus Adolphus at No. 3 Wisconsin-River Falls
Gustavus lost to St. Thomas in the MIAC tournament championship game, but otherwise has not lost since Dec. 10. They’ve more than made up for a rough start to the season. Wis.-River Falls has just two losses all season and got a huge boost from an overtime win over rival Wisconsin-Eau Claire. The Falcons won in their only meeting this season. I have to pick them at home. Wis.-River Falls 4-2

Saturday, March 10

No. 5 Elmira at No. 2 Adrian
Adrian made it through their conference schedule undefeated and beat Elmira earlier this season. I think either team could take this one, but I’ll take Adrian’s streak and home ice to mean they’ll win. Adrian 5-3

No. 4 Norwich at No. 6 Middlebury
I think I have to pick Norwich here. They’ve done well against ranked teams. Norwich 3-1

No. 7 St. Thomas at No. 1 Plattsburgh
Sorry Tommies, but I’m still exercising my “pick Plattsburgh” rule. The Cardinals win. Plattsburgh 5-2

Nicole certainly had her best weekend last weekend, going 11-1 (.916). I was almost as good, going 10-2 (.833). On the year, I am 391-129-63 (.724), while Nicole is 354-166-63 (.661). In the playoffs, I am 34-9 (.790), while Nicole is 35-8 (.813).

It’s down to eight teams, so here we go.

Saturday, March 11

No. 6 St. Lawrence at No. 4 Boston College
Candace: I’m going with the Eagles, but they could be prone to a letdown after two emotional OT wins last weekend. Boston College 3-2
Nicole: I think I have to go with BC, but I wouldn’t be surprised if this is where we see an upset. I’m going low scoring, with BC edging out a win. Boston College 2-1

No. 7 Cornell at No. 2 Clarkson
Candace: This reminds me of last season, when Quinnipiac had to face Clarkson one week after beating them in the ECAC tournament, and promptly lost. This could be an upset, but I favor the Golden Knights. Clarkson 2-1
Nicole: I do think we’ll get one upset this weekend and I think it’s more likely to be Cornell than St. Lawrence. These two have played as close as possible all season and I like how upstart Cornell has been here in the second half. Cornell 4-3

No. 5 Minnesota at No. 3 Minnesota-Duluth
Candace: They played last weekend at the WCHA Final Face-Off, and it went to double OT. I wouldn’t be surprised to see OT again, but a different result. Minnesota 2-1
Nicole: The Bulldogs get to be at home and have admitted they’re out to prove everyone wrong. I think I have to take UMD, but this is as close as matchups are going to get, I think. Minnesota Duluth 3-2

No. 8 Robert Morris at No. 1 Wisconsin
Candace: This is the surest thing in college hockey this week. Wisconsin 4-1
Nicole: Like I said to Arlan in Wednesday Women, the stats are not on Robert Morris’ side. I think this one is all Badgers. Wisconsin 4-1