The playoff picture is now set with Air Force and Connecticut securing the remaining byes in the final weekend of the regular season.
Here are the playoff matchups:
#6W Canisius at #3W Niagara
#5W Mercyhurst at #4W Robert Morris
#6E American International at #3E Army
#5E Sacred Heart at #4E Bentley
Byes went to #1W RIT, #2W Air Force, #1E Holy Cross and #2W Connecticut. Because the teams are re-seeded by overall standings after the initial playoff round, there’s a chance at UConn will be on the road for its quarterfinal playoff series. RIT, Air Force and Holy Cross will be at home for sure.
To recap the weekend:
Air Force needed three points against Robert Morris to claim a bye, and the Falcons did one better, sweeping the Colonials in Colorado Springs. Scott Kozlak had three assists in a 4-2 win on Friday, and the Falcons scored three third-period goals on Saturday to pull away with another 4-2 win. Derrick Burnett had a goal and two assists.
UConn wrapped up the other bye with a pair of one-goal wins over AIC. The Huskies took Friday’s contest 2-1 and needed a four-goal comeback to erase an early 3-0 deficit in a 4-3 win on Saturday. Matt Grogan got the win in relief for UConn.
Niagara continued its dominance of RIT, taking three points. The Purple Eagles ended the Tigers’ 18 game home unbeated streak in AHA play on Friday with a 5-2 win. It was the first time RIT had lost a conference game at home since Jan. 30, 2010. The teams tied 3-3 the next night at Niagara. Paul Zanette had four goals on the weekend.
Holy Cross solidified its hold on third place overall and first in the East pod by taking three points from Bentley. The Crusaders got the game winner from Jay Silvia midway through the third period on Friday for a 4-3 win, and then held off a Bentley comeback on Saturday to settle for a 3-3 tie.
Mercyhurst and Canisius split their series, each winning on home ice. The Golden Griffins got a pair of goals from Cory Conacher in a 3-2 win on Friday, but the Lakers opened a 3-1 lead and crusied to a 5-2 victory on Saturday.
Sacred Heart avoided the AHA basement with a split against Army. The Black Knights dominated on Friday, putting 54 shots on net in a 4-1 win. But on Saturday in a game played at the Arena at Harbor Yard in Bridgeport, the Pioneers pulled away with three third-period goals en route to a 5-1 win.
How’d I do?
I went 6-4-2 with my picks, as did my guest analyst Seth Dussault. I end the regular season 102-66-25 (.593) and 9-6-2 in head-to-head competition with my guests.
Check back tomorrow for a more detailed look at the final standings.
