Everyone has played to get in, but only 14 teams remain in contention for the national championship with six teams dropping out of the chase after the results of this Saturday’s first round action. Hobart and Endicott earned first round byes but will be watching with interest to see who advances to the quarterfinal round and especially which teams will coming to play them on March 21 for a spot in the Frozen Four.
Lots of new and different regional matchups without travel restrictions this time around so let’s see who can keep up playing the great hockey it is going to take to win and advance:
Friday, March 13, 2026 – Sunday, March 15, 2026
NCAA First Round Games
(7) University of New England v. (2) St. Norbert
The Green Knights have been a fixture on the national stage under hall-of-fame coach Tim Coghlin. In recent years UNE has been consistently amongst the elite including a Frozen Four trip just three seasons ago. It is a very long trip to Wisconsin (1,100+ miles) but the Nor’easters are up for tough road games and steal a win in overtime against the Green Knights. Harrison Chesney may be one of the best kept secrets amongst D-III goaltenders and he shows why against the Green Knights. It just wouldn’t be the NCAA tournament without at least one first round upset – UNE, 3-2
(12) Norwich v. (15) Salve Regina
The Cadets have found their stride in the second half of the season playing their best hockey to take the Little East title that sees their last loss in mid-January. The Seahawks have already made history as the first independent team to make the NCAA tournament but played their last game not long after Norwich’s last loss. Hard to stay sharp without game reps but the Seahawks have talent and will need to knock off the rust quickly if they want to advance. Will take Molu over Warren in this one just because of the games played situation. Empty-net goal seals a tough win in a fun game – Norwich, 3-1
Neumann v. (6) Hamilton
The Continentals overall body of work got them in the dance but they need to put the last three weekends in the rearview mirror if they want to continue playing meaningful hockey in March. Hard to play from behind against good teams, like Neumann, so look for a fast start from the likes of Tchor, DeVries and Wojciechowski to take advantage of home ice against a Neumann squad that has its own diverse weapons and will not quit as long as second is on the clock – Hamilton, 4-2
Anna Maria v. (7) Wisconsin – Stout
The bus ride is probably 16-17 hours (1,038 miles) from the Worcester area of Massachusetts to Stout, Wisconsin where the Blue Devils lie in wait for first time NCAA participants, Anna Maria. The AmCats will be ready to play and will need to lean on MASCAC Player of the Year, goaltender Matthew Hennessey early as they get their bearings against another like-minded and physical team. Really hard to pick this one and since there are no ties until someone wins, I will make this the 2OT special with home ice being a factor in the Blue Devils advancing – Wisconsin – Stout, 3-2
St. John’s v. (4) Aurora
The MIAC champs certainly did not get any favors in the draw having to play an Aurora team that was left stinging in the NCHA final. Nothing like some home cooking to get back on track and start a new win streak for the biggest trophy available. Jakson Kirk and a strong supporting cast get it done but need a couple of empty-net goals for some breathing room against a Johnnies squad that knows how to battle back when everything is on the line – Aurora, 5-2
Williams v. (5) Utica
After a horrible start to the season, Utica has cruised through the UCHC and knocked off their nemesis (Geneseo) in the title game to get back to the NCAA tournament where they lost in dramatic fashion to Hobart last year. TRAP GAME ALERT – the Pioneers cannot get caught looking past a Williams team that has shown they can compete with anyone with the likes of Jackson Krill and Harrison Fogel. After a slow start, the home team cranks up the offense and ekes out a one goal win in regulation, or maybe overtime – Utica, 4-3
It’s the week one of the national tournament with the Frozen Four so tantalizingly close – “Drop the Puck!”