Here’s a look at the final weekend of ECAC Northeast play and what’s on deck for the MASCAC as well.
ECAC Northeast
Saturday, Feb. 19
Suffolk at Western New England: A fight for the last playoff spot, as Western New England’s 3-1 win over Nichols Wednesday moved them into a tie with the Rams, who lost to Becker. WNEC owns the series lead, so a tie would result in Suffolk going home and Western New England advancing. Western New England 4, Suffolk 3
Wentworth at Curry: The Colonels moved into first place with a 4-1 win over Johnson and Wales last night. The Colonels need just one point to clinch the regular season title. If they lose, and the Wildcats win, JWU will get the title thanks to more league wins.
For Wentworth, a win and a Wildcats loss would jump them into second place and a first round bye. Should they tie JWU for second, the Leopards would lose out based on the tiebreaker. Curry 4, Wentworth 3
Johnson and Wales at Nichols: This is a game that could end with JWU in first or missing a first round bye entirely. A Wildcats win would lock up a first round bye and give them a possibility to move into first, depending on what Curry does. Nichols has locked up a playoff spot, but this game could impact their seeding depending on the outcome of the WNEC/Suffolk game. Johnson and Wales 5, Nichols 4
Salve Regina at Becker: The only game of the weekend that doesn’t have any impact on the stadiums. The Seahawks are out of the playoffs, and the Hawks have the fourth seed locked up. Becker 6, Salve Regina 4
MASCAC
Saturday, Feb. 19
Westfield State at Salem State: The Owls have played well of late, upsetting Fitchburg State last night and Plymouth State last week. Can that trend continue against the second play Vikings? Salem State 5, Westfield State 3
Framingham State at Plymouth State: Like Westfield, the Rams have picked it up a bit lately as the two battle it out for the MASCAC’s last playoff spot. Despite the loss to Westfield, Plymouth is a tough opponent. I think they’ll get by the Rams but given the flow of play the last week or so, it wouldn’t be shocking to see an upset. Plymouth State 5, Framingham State 1
Fitchburg State at Worcester State: The Falcons’ boast the conference’s best goalie duo in the tandem of Bobby Leiser and Robert Vorse, but that hasn’t been enough to prevent a four game skid that’s dropped them well into fourth place. Worcester is just 2-7 over the last month. Who wants to end their skid more? In the end, I think Fitchburg will. Fitchburg State 3, Worcester State 2
Finally, a bit late on my part, but still worth mentioning. The Gridiron Club of Greater Boston announced 16 semifinalists for the Joe Concannon award, given to the top American-born athlete playing Division II or III hockey in New England. Several ECAC NE and MASCAC players were selected, including Skylur Jameson (Wentworth) Jermiah Ketts (JWU), Billy Pescosolido (Fitchburg State), and Ryan Warsofsky (Curry). Check out the full list here.
The Midweek That Was.
ECAC Northast
Becker 3, Suffolk 2
Western New England College 3, Nichols 1
Curry 4, Johnson and Wales 1
Wentworth 5, Salve Regina 4
MASCAC
Salem State 3, St. Anselm 1
Westfield State 7, Fitchburg State 5
Salem State 4, Framingham State 2
UMass Dartmouth 7, Worcester State o
