First Round – Wednesday, March 6 (Campus sites)
Wentworth at Babson
The Leopards are on the road, but have more depth and a proud body of work to show not only the Beavers, but the rest of the tournament as well. Wentworth 4-3
Massachusetts-Dartmouth at Bowdoin
The Polar Bears are an impressive 22-3-2, and didn’t go the extra mile to earn that record to see it slip away in the opening round. Bowdoin 3-1
St. John’s at Wisconsin-Eau Claire
Two losses in their last four games — to St. Scholastica and St. Norbert — might not bode well for Wisconsin-Eau Claire. If there is such a thing as carryover momentum from the regular-season, the Blugolds don’t have it. St. John’s 3-2
Quarterfinal Round – Saturday, March 9 (Campus sites)
Oswego State at Adrian
Oswego State is battle-tested, and will not be fazed by a tough road atmosphere. You’re talking about a team that went 23-4. Something tells me the Lakers will be ready. Oswego State 4-3
Wentworth at Norwich
Easy to go against a favorite after a loss, especially one like Norwich’s 2-1 defeat to Babson in the ECAC East title game, but the Cadets orchestrated an 11-game unbeaten streak leading up to that loss, and the talent that produced that run should surface here. Norwich 2-1
St. John’s at St. Norbert
The Green Knights, at 23-5-1, have one of the top winning percentages in Division III (.810), and have had time to prepare. You want your team playing its best headed into postseason play, and St. Norbert has won seven in a row, including a run to the conference crown. St. Norbert 3-1
Bowdoin at Utica
Leaning on an inspired Pioneers squad to take the ice with some vim, vigor, and vitality after a puzzling end to the season. Utica’s last two games have not been textbook — a 4-4 tie to Manhattanville, then a 2-1 loss to the same team in the ECAC West title game — but with some time, the Pioneers should bounce back. Utica 4-1
