Age (wisdom) vs. youth (overconfidence) in WCHA picking challenge

Austin Cumblad covers the Gophers hockey team for the Minnesota Daily. He's graduating this semester, so he is almost ready to join the real world.

I worked for the Daily, oh, let's just say in another era. Before cell phones, I-pods, laptop computers. You get the picture.

So I have the edge in experience on Austin this week as we go mano a mano in picking WCHA games. He has a quick, sharp mind and a fresh perspective. Should be no contest, right?

Gophers at Michigan Tech

Roman: Gophers have gotten healthy. Nick Bjugstad and Nick Larson being back should help the penalty kill. Goalie Kent Patterson still hasn't lost a game this season. And Minnesota probably played its best series this season on the road, sweeping Colorado College. U needs wins to stay in top half of WCHA standings. ... Gophers sweep

Austin: Tech has scored half its goals in the first period. Gophers will need to avoid a UNO/St. Cloud State/Wisconsin style Friday night (falling being 4-0, 5-0 or 6-0). How might they stop it? Take advantage of Tech's penchant for penalties -- they're in the box 18 minutes per game. Gophers healthy but I expect a bit of rust. Also curious to see how Lucia splits goaltending duries between Patterson and Kangas. My mind says sweep but my gut says split. Going with my gut. ... Split

North Dakota at Nebraska-Omaha

Austin: I remember it clearly, Roman. We were sitting in the press box at Moosh watching UNO bully the Gophers in a two-game sweep [early this season]. "How good are the Mavericks?" we both asked. Well, they're still unbeaten in the WCHA and ranked fourth in the country. We have our answer. UND was impressive against the Badgers last weekend; 16 shots allowed per game? Seriously? That's some defense. But, I'm going with the unbeaten team until it backfires, so I'll say ... UNO sweeps

UMD at Wisconsin

Roman: The line of Jack and Mike Connolly (no relation) and Justin Fontaine give the 'Dogs their bite. UMD (9-1-2) moved up to No. 1 in the national polls this week and is off to its best start in school's 67-year history. ... Jack C. needs four more points to join 100-point club; Fontaine has 122, MC 100 career points. MC is on a 10-game scoring streak. ... UMD has not swept Badgers at Kohl Center in 23 series; last time was Feb. 8-9, 1985. ... Split

Austin: Ah yes, the Connollys and some guy named Fontaine (What's that? He has 122 career points? OK, point taken). A truly terrifying bunch and a big part of the reason the Bulldogs are tops in the country. That said, UMD's only true test this season has been at UND, where they split. And the Badgers are likely perturbed the Sioux swept them last weekend. I don't see UMD coming out of this one unscathed. ... Split

St. Cloud State at Alaska Anchorage

Austin: What part of the year is it that Alaska is dark for like, 22 hours per day? Since I don't know, I'm going to say it's when St. Cloud comes to town. The Huskies have dominated the Seawolves recently, 7-1-2 in last 10 meetings. That dominance continues this weekend. ... SCSU sweeps

Bemidji St. at Denver

Roman: Pioneers are averaging 3.38 goals per game. Drew Shore (8-5-13) is Pios' top scorer. DU is 5-0-0 all-time against Beavers. ... Bemidji State (2-5-1) has only played conference games. Beavers have been outshot in six of eight games. Fridays are especially are rough for BSU, which is 0-4-0 in the first game of series. Bemidji State would get a point or two if this series was in the new arena up north, but it's not so ... Denver sweeps