Championship weekend is here and the seven women’s Division III conferences titles will be handed out Saturday or Sunday. Some conferences award auto-bids to the NCAA tournament, and some do not.
The tournament selection show is slated for next Monday.
That said, here and Candace and Matt’s picks for the seven championship games this weekend.
Colonial Hockey
Candace: I agree with Matt on Stevenson winning this. Semis: Stevenson 4-1; Morrisville 3-2. Finals: Stevenson 4-2
Matt: Like I’ve said recently, this is Stevenson’s title to lose. I see Stevenson knocking off Becker in the semifinals and then taking out Endicott in the finals, perhaps in overtime. The finals will be a great game. Let’s say Stevenson 3-2.
ECAC West
Candace: No. 1 versus No. 2. I don’t think Elmira will let itself be surprised by Utica. Semis: Plattsburgh 4-1; Elmira 3-2. Finals: Plattsburgh 3-1
Matt: Clearly, the popular choice here is Plattsburgh and Elmira in the finals, and that’s my pick. Plattsburgh should beat Oswego and Elmira will defeat Utica, setting up the obvious final. Plattsburgh takes it 2-1.
MIAC
Candace: I’m picking against Matt in this one. St. Thomas 3-2
Matt: Bethel and St. Thomas play in the final and this will be the one upset I’m picking. I like the run Bethel is on and it continues here as the Royals win 4-2 with a late empty-netter.
NCHA
Candace: Adrian is looking way too tough to beat. Adrian 4-2
Matt: I had thought this would be Adrian and Lake Forest, but LFC was bounced last weekend by St. Norbert. That said, Adrian has too much offense and goaltending and downs the Green Knights by a 4-1 count.
NEHC
Candace: This to me is Norwich’s tournament to lose. Semis: Castleton 3-2; Norwich 4-2. Finals: Norwich 3-1
Matt: Two semis and then the final finish out the NEHC weekend. I like Castleton beating Massachusetts-Boston and Norwich taking care of the University of New England. That sets up the championship final where Norwich escapes with a 2-1 overtime win over Castleton.
NESCAC
Candace: Middlebury is home for this tournament, which will help when the Panthers take on Amherst in the finals. Semis: Amherst 4-1; Middlebury 3-2. Finals: Middlebury 3-2
Matt: Middlebury plays Trinity and Amherst plays Connecticut College in the two semifinals here. I like Middlebury and Amherst both winning and then Middlebury winning the championship on home ice in a 3-0 shutout.
WIAC
Candace: Home ice takes this one. Wis.-River Falls 3-2
Matt: Wisconsin-River Falls hosts Wisconsin-Stevens Point for all the WIAC marbles. It will be a close contest, but all signs point to River Falls taking it on home ice with a 4-2 clinching victory.
