What a wild first round night across the D-II/III landscape with multiple overtime games and challengers giving favorites a lot of stress in opening round playoff action. Nazareth needed a late rally and double overtime to beat Albertus Magnus and Chatham went one period more, needing three overtimes to take out Brockport. One NCAA tournament team from last season is gone as Nichols upset Curry in the CNE. SUNYAC saw the top four advance but not without some tense moments. Bethel defeated St. Olaf in the MIAC first round game and St. Anselm rallied from a 3-0 deficit to down cross-town rival Southern New Hampshire 4-3 in overtime to advance in the NE-10 tournament. In MASCAC, Westfield State won easily while MCLA started another “Cinderella-run” with a come-from-behind win over Salem State. Certainly, the next round of action this weekend will continue to excite fans nationwide.
It will be the end of the season for many teams this weekend, but the goal and opportunity still exist until the final horn:
Friday, February 27, 2026 – Sunday, March 1, 2026
CNE
Suffolk v. (7) Endicott
The Rams have been the surprise team of the CNE while the Gulls have reloaded and look for their young talent to help them win another conference title. Two first-year netminders in this game so it will be interesting to see who stands up to the pressure better. Home ice is worth a goal and in overtime it is a sweet win for the Gulls – Endicott, 3-2
Little East
Plymouth State v. (13) Babson
The Beavers just played the panthers to close out the regular season and while the venue may be different, the outcome won’t be as the senior leadership group along with Fallon & Brown lead the way in a more comfortable win than the score reflects – Babson, 3-1
MAC
Wilkes v. Stevenson
The Mustangs earned the home-ice advantage with a tiebreaker over Wilkes so it would be a waste not to take advantage of the benefit of being the higher seed. Great game to watch from the entertainment perspective but the Mustangs have a big third period to earn a hard-fought win over the Colonels – Stevenson, 4-2
MASCAC
Westfield State v. Fitchburg State
The old expression about getting “right back on the horse” definitely applies here are the Owls beat the Falcons to close out the regular season in their barn and now try to replicate the result on the road. Dean Fuller teams don’t lose a lot and very infrequently at home so no surprise to see the No. 2 seed advance to defend their MASCAC title – Fitchburg State, 5-3
MIAC
St. Mary’s v. Gustavus
Yet another conference where the tiebreaker literally provided home-ice advantage in a crucial game. Gustavus swept the season series scoring five goals in each contest. It’s playoff hockey so a five-spot is highly unlikely, right? Nope – home team scores in bunches in an impressive semifinal win – Gustavus, 5-3
NCHA
(2) Aurora v. (3) Adrian
UPSET ALERT – No question there is a lot of excitement building around the NCHA semifinals and this game is undoubtedly the game of the week. The Spartans have been very good against the Bulldogs this season and will need a little extra on the road. Total team effort pulls the “upset” as the Spartans move on to the title game – Aurora, 4-3
NESCAC
Amherst v. (9) Bowdoin
The Polar Bears have been steady and consistent this season while Amherst scrambled in chaotic final NESCAC weekend to earn a playoff berth. No goals surrendered by the Mammoth last weekend but not the case this weekend as the home team finds just enough to advance to the semifinal round – Bowdoin, 3-2
NE-10
Post v. Assumption
The Post Eagles have certainly pulled their fair share of upsets this season with some stellar goaltending from Benjamin Cunneen. Tough task against a Greyhound team that features the likes of Jonathan Surette and Leo Piandes. Too much firepower for the top-seeded team who takes the win and championship game berth – Assumption, 5-3
SUNYAC
Cortland v. (1) Hobart
The Red Dragons gave Hobart a big challenge late in the season scoring three times in a 4-3 loss to the Statesmen. That said they are entering the gauntlet that is playoff hockey in “The Cooler” where Hobart hasn’t lost a game in 3+ seasons. No upset here as the Orange and White roll to the title game – Hobart, 4-1
UCHC
Chatham v. (10) Geneseo
The Knights have been challenged by the lack of a healthy roster while Chatham is likely still recovering from Wednesday’s triple overtime win over Brockport. Who steps it up in this one? Too much experience for Geneseo to bow out without the chance to defend their UCHC title. It takes some bonus hockey, but Filip Wiberg & Company get it done – Geneseo, 4-3
WIAC
Wisconsin – Stevens Point v. Wisconsin – Stout
The Pointers took down Superior to earn a shot at top-seed Stout and they are up to the task of playing great playoff hockey. Home team has been solid all season and take the upper hand early in an exciting one-goal game that features third period drama – UW – Stout, 4-3
No time like the present to lay it all on the line – “Drop the Puck!”