Three things from Atlantic Hockey play this weekend:
Bringing everyone closer together
In all five league games played on Friday, the team lower in the standings won. (Bentley over Canisius, Connecticut over Mercyhurst, Rochester Institute of Technology over Army, Holy Cross over Niagara ,and American International over Robert Morris). That helped pull the standings even closer, although no team moved up a place as a result. Saturday and Sunday did see some changes, with Air Force. Bentley and RIT moving up as a result of four point weekends. There are now eight teams within three points of each other, filling the second through ninth positions.
Defending your house (and region)
All six series this weekend featured East region teams hosting a Western rival, and the home teams ruled on Friday, with Army the lone team to lose on home ice. The highlight was Holy Cross’ 5-3 win over Niagara, handing the Purple Eagles their first loss in conference play. Saturday and Sunday were a different story with only Bentley able to send a home crowd home happy.
For the weekend, West teams were 7-5 against the East. That was a good showing for the East, which had been 12-30-6 against the West going into Friday.
Getting his shot
Canisius alumnus Cory Conacher became the first former Golden Griffin to play in the NHL on Saturday, and made it count. He had a goal and an assist to help the Tampa Bay Lightning to a 6-3 win over Washington.
Conacher was the MVP in the American Hockey League last season with Norfolk, and the NHL lockout delayed his dream. But it came true on Saturday, making him the first AHA player to score an NHL goal.
Watch history made.
Bonus pick
I neglected to include this Tuesday’s UConn at Quinnipiac game in my weekly picks. For the record, I’m taking the No. 4 Bobcats to prevail.
