Three things I learned from Atlantic Hockey play this weekend:
– The third period has been a killer for Sacred Heart. The Pioneers have been the victims of third period comebacks several times this season, and it happened again on Saturday. Bentley’s Brent Gensler scored with 0.2 seconds to play for force a 3-3 tie. Sacred Heart had lead 3-0 after the first period.
– Air Force has Rochester Institute of Technology’s number at Cadet Ice Arena. Since joining Atlantic Hockey in 2006-07, the Tigers have only been swept twice in conference play. It happened in 2010 at Air Force, and it happened again this weekend. The Falcons defeated the Tigers 3-0 and 3-1. Going back to last year’s AHA title game, Air Force goaltender Jason Torf went 156:01 without alloying a goal to RIT. The Tigers are 2-9-2 all-time in AHA play at Cadet Ice Arena.
– It’s going to take all 27 games to determine most of the playoff spots, especially at the top. We’ve got a new first place team for the third time in three weeks only two points separate the top four teams. With six games (seven in the case of Connecticut and and Army) eight teams are within two points or less of a first round bye.
Getting my vote.
Here’s my ballot for the latest USCHO.com Men’s Division I Poll:
1. Minnesota
2. Boston University
3. Minnesota-Duluth
4. Boston College
5. Ferris State
6. Merrimack
7. Michigan
8. Massachusetts-Lowell
9. Notre Dame
10. Colorado College
11. Denver
12. Maine
13. Union
14. Ohio State
15. Cornell
16. North Dakota
17. Northern Michigan
18. Michigan State
19. Western Michigan
20. Miami
