It’s the final weekend of the season where conference champions will be crowned and the field set for the national tournament. Lots of conferences reflecting the No 1 v. No 2 matchup for the title but at this point of the season it’s not about seeding it’s about playing your best brand of hockey leading to the desired outcome – a title game victory.
Great matchups everywhere and don’t be surprised if there is some bonus hockey required to determine a winner:
Saturday, March 7, 2026 – Sunday, March 8, 2026
CNE
(7) Endicott v. (5) University of New England
The Gulls and Nor’easters split their regular season series with each team winning on home ice. UNE has been very good in front of the Biddeford home crowd this season and will need strong performances from the likes of Drew Olivieri, Chip Hamlett and Harrison Chesney. Expect this one to be an overtime thriller as both teams play with tempo – UNE, 3-2
Little East
(12) Babson v. (15) Norwich
The Beavers and Cadets are familiar conference title foes dating back to the ECAC East and NEHC. Now in the new Little East not much has changed as both programs bring excellence to the ice under strong alums behind the bench in Babson’s Jamie Rice and Norwich’s Dominick Dawes. Sami Molu has received a lot of recognition and justifiably so as the Cadets netminder has been consistent all year. Usually, a lesser-known player that steps up for the Beavers and it happens on Saturday in this upset pick – Babson, 3-1
MAC
Stevenson v. Neumann
The Mustangs played twice at Neumann in the regular season and split a two-game series. They also lost another one-goal game to the Knights on home ice. Familiarity will surely factor into this fourth and final meeting of the season so start looking at the intangibles like who the defending champions are. Mustangs find another one-goal lead that gets more comfortable after an empty-net tally to seal back-to-back championships – Stevenson, 4-2
MASCAC
Westfield State v. Anna Maria
The season series was won by AMC comfortably over the Owls but that doesn’t mean anything come Saturday as both teams have shown they have goaltending that can steal a win. The AmCats are unbeaten at home this season and gritted one out last weekend against MCLA. More grit needed this Saturday along with stellar play from goaltender Matthew Hennessey for their first ever MASCAC title– Anna Maria, 5-3
MIAC
Gustavus v. St. John’s
OVERTIME ALERT – both regular season games were decided with bonus hockey as each team won on their respective home ice which might be an advantage to the Johnnies. Gustavus also has been a far better home team than their record on the road but will play this one all out and making the home team earn a MIAC title. Bonus hockey decides it for the Johnnies – St. John’s, 3-2
NCHA
(2) Aurora v. (4) St. Norbert
These two powerhouse teams split a two-game set way back in November of 2025 which seems like eons ago in D-III schedule timing. Both teams playing well at the right time but the Spartans proved they could win in a hostile environment at Adrian last weekend and eke out a one goal win against the host Green Knights. Both teams headed to the NCAA tournament but only one goes in as NCHA champs – Aurora, 4-3
NESCAC Semifinal
Williams v. (3) Hamilton
UPSET ALERT – The Ephs are not a team the Continentals should have any comfort playing on Saturday. Luke Tchor, the NESCAC Player of the Year is back in the lineup which helps the offense, but Harrison Fogel has been stellar in goal for the Purple Cows who repeat the regular season finale with another big win. – Williams, 3-2
NE-10
St. Anselm v. Assumption
Do not let the overall record fool you as St Anselm is 2-1-1 in four games against Assumption this season looking for one final win to complete an improbable run to the NE-10 title. These teams know each other well and have a playoff history that shows a lot can happen in sixty minutes or more of action. Would be disappointing to not take the title after dominating the regular season and the Greyhounds do just that in a very entertaining hocket game – Assumption, 5-4
SUNYAC
(13) Oswego v. (1) Hobart
The Lakers, like everyone else this season, have not been able to find a way to beat the Men in Orange. Hobart is clearly a mission-driven team and winning their first ever SUNYAC championship against the defending champions is mission one on Saturday. Hard to win when you can’t score or just get one goal against the deepest team in the country – Hobart, 4-1
UCHC
(10) Geneseo v. (8) Utica
The Knights have been a bit up and down over the past month of the season but have no doubt they know how to get up for a game against Utica regardless of rink location. The Pioneers lost the season series but have a chance to redeem themselves in the championship matchup that saw the newcomers from SUNYAC take the title last year. Pride game on both sides and Alex Dameski shows why he is the UCHC POTY – Geneseo, 4-3
WIAC
Wisconsin – River Falls v. (11) Wisconsin – Stout
The Blue Devils were a perfect 3-0 against UW – river Falls in the regular season including a one-goal win on home ice where they are 11-1-0 on the season. This team can play lock down hockey as evidenced by last weekend’s 1-0 win to advance to the title game. More goals this week but still essentially a one-goal game made more comfortable with a late empty-net tally for the final margin – Wisconsin – Stout, 4-2
It’s the ultimate win-or-go-home weekend – “Drop the Puck!”