First Round – Wednesday, March 6 (Campus sites)
Wentworth at Babson
The host Beavers went 6-0-1 in their last seven games, including a victory over Norwich in the ECAC East title game. The visiting Leopards were 6-0-2 and topped Salve Regina for the ECAC Northeast championship. Home ice might be the difference in this one. Babson 3-2
St. John’s (Minn.) at Wisconsin-Eau Claire
The Johnnies won their last six games and earned their first MIAC crown since 2005. They also lost to the Blugolds, 5-1, on Jan. 4 in Eau Claire after falling behind by three goals, and will be back in Wisconsin on Wednesday. Wisconsin-Eau Claire 4-2
Mass-Dartmouth at Bowdoin
The visiting Corsairs are on an eight-game unbeaten tear, including the MASCAC title, but also played to seven ties this season. The host Polar Bears were 12-2-1 at home this year and won the NESCAC, and also led their conference with 76 total goals. Bowdoin 4-3
Quarterfinal Round – Saturday, March 9 (Campus sites)
Babson at Norwich
The Cadets will be looking to upend the visiting Beavers after suffering two losses to Babson already this season, including the ECAC East championship. Averaging just over four goals per game should help Norwich avoid a third strike this season to the same opponent. Norwich 4-3
Oswego State at Adrian
Both teams are coming off conference championships. The host Bulldogs went 14-1-1 at home this year, and were 4-0 in one-goal games in claiming the MCHA. Oswego won the SUNYAC and went 9-2 overall in road contests, and have also been to three straight Frozen Fours. Oswego 4-3
Wisconsin-Eau Claire at St. Norbert
The Green Knights are two-time defending Division III national champions, and are second in the nation for fewest goals allowed per game and penalty-killing percentage, third in power play percentage, and sixth in goals scored per game. They were also 13-3-1 at home, but were just 0-2 when hosting the Blugolds. Could be an upset, but … St. Norbert 5-4
Bowdoin at Utica
The Pioneers are in the NCAAs for the first time ever in school history, and will have 3,000-plus strong cheering them on at the Aud. Utica is also averaging 4.50 goals per game, while Bowdoin is allowing just 2.52 goals per outing. Something’s got to give. Utica 2-1
