March 1, 2006
DII Round Robin Game Previews
Friday night draws closer
Neumann vs. Drexel
Two local Philadelphia schools match-up for the third time this season, but for the first time, it will be in the state of PA. Neumann has won both games this year in the series, and has pretty much handed it to the Dragons. The Knights did not have a good time during their last visit to the Sportsplex, going 1-1-1 in league play after riding a five game win streak heading into the weekend. Drexel on the other hand, hasn?t been itself recently losing five straight. During that losing streak, the Dragons took to the rink against the top five seeds of the regional tournament. Expect Drexel to come out fired up, and give the favored Knights a run for their money. If the Dragons are going to shake the notion that they can?t beat the top teams, what better stage is there then the Regional Championships?
Wentworth vs. Shippensburg
Wentworth comes into this game as the heavy favorite, posting the second best regular season record in the league. Wentworth and Shippensburg haven?t met this season, but are meeting for the third straight year in the Round Robin portion of the Regional Championships. Expect Wentworth to come out firing, as they attempt to lock up a high seed in the elimination round. However, don?t expect the Raiders to be a pushover, as they are one of the hottest teams in the country, only losing 2 games in the past 14. If Wentworth comes out and plays their game, expect them to win this game, and send Shippensburg into a must win situation later in the day.
Hofstra vs. West Chester
Hofstra seemed like a lock for the #1 seed in the league at the halfway point of the season, but a late season struggle cost the Pride the lead, as they lost 4 of their last 7 games. One of those losses came at the hands of West Chester by a score of 6-4. Hofstra would like nothing better than to avenge that loss and secure a high seed in the elimination round. West Chester doesn?t want that to happen. The Golden Rams were buried all year in the southern conference, and many people may look past them --- that?s exactly what the Rams want! If Hofstra comes out flat, expect them to be down a few goals early. Hofstra doesn't want that to happen, because a comeback against West Chester isn?t the easiest thing to do.
Neumann vs. Albany
Albany has never beaten Neumann in the history of their series. However, this isn?t the same Albany team that Neumann has seen in the past. This year's Albany team is faster and stronger, and full of threats. Neumann is used to having teams play their best games against them, and this should be no different. The Great Danes want to prove that they can beat the best in the league. Neumann should be able to leave this game with a victory if they can keep the game at even strength, and stay out of the penalty box. Albany has a dangerous power play that can take over a game. Expect this to be one of the best early morning games.
Brockport vs. Maine
Maine and Brockport have met twice this season, and sadly for the Black Bears, both games have ended in defeat. Brockport doesn?t want its first loss to Maine to occur in the playoffs. The Golden Eagles are the #1 seed coming in, and should go 2-0 in their Round Robin pool with a victory over Maine. Unfortunately for Brockport, Maine has turned things around in the second half of the season, and boasts a victory over Neumann. Brockport has senior leadership, and the firepower to skate past Maine. Only time will tell if they can fire on all cylinders on the most important weekend of the year!
Temple vs. West Chester
Everyone looks forward to rubber matches, because each team has a chance to take the season series, but it?s even sweeter, when that victory comes in the playoffs. Temple won the first game of the series, and they hope they can with the last. This game is a must win for Temple because any type of tie in the other Round Robin brackets could push the Owls out of the playoffs. West Chester dominated the second game of the season, and shouldn?t have much of a problem dismissing a very physical Temple team if they are allowed to play their style of game.
Shippensburg vs. Duquesne
In the first game of the Season, the Raiders came out and handed Duquesne a lopsided defeat on their home court. Later in the season, the Roller Dukes came east and returned the favor destroying Shippensburg on their home court. Finally, on a neutral rink, one final game will determine the season series. Since the loss, the Raiders are 5-0-0 against DII opponents. Expect this to be the game to watch in the afternoon, as the Raiders don?t want to end up in the play-in game, and a loss could potentially cripple their chances at attending the NCT tourney at the end of the season.
Maine vs. Stony Brook
Maine and Stony Brook both started their season off the same way, with a bunch of ties, and unfortunate losses. One team --- Maine, has rebounded, while the other --- Stony Brook, found itself clawing to clinch the final playoff spot. Both teams have met twice this year, with a different result each time. In their first meeting, it appeared that Stony Brook would leave with a 1-0 victory, but with just :08 remaining in the game Carey Gustanski found the back of the net off a feed from David Hunt, forcing Stony Brook to settle for a 1-1 tie. In the second meeting, Maine had no problem finding the back of the net, lead by Carey Gustanski with 2 goals and 2 assists. Expect Maine to come out hard in this game, knowing that a victory is necessary to advance. Stony Brook fought hard in the final weekend of the regular season, and should continue to fight, as they don?t want their inaugural season to come to an early end.
Two local Philadelphia schools match-up for the third time this season, but for the first time, it will be in the state of PA. Neumann has won both games this year in the series, and has pretty much handed it to the Dragons. The Knights did not have a good time during their last visit to the Sportsplex, going 1-1-1 in league play after riding a five game win streak heading into the weekend. Drexel on the other hand, hasn?t been itself recently losing five straight. During that losing streak, the Dragons took to the rink against the top five seeds of the regional tournament. Expect Drexel to come out fired up, and give the favored Knights a run for their money. If the Dragons are going to shake the notion that they can?t beat the top teams, what better stage is there then the Regional Championships?
Wentworth vs. Shippensburg
Wentworth comes into this game as the heavy favorite, posting the second best regular season record in the league. Wentworth and Shippensburg haven?t met this season, but are meeting for the third straight year in the Round Robin portion of the Regional Championships. Expect Wentworth to come out firing, as they attempt to lock up a high seed in the elimination round. However, don?t expect the Raiders to be a pushover, as they are one of the hottest teams in the country, only losing 2 games in the past 14. If Wentworth comes out and plays their game, expect them to win this game, and send Shippensburg into a must win situation later in the day.
Hofstra vs. West Chester
Hofstra seemed like a lock for the #1 seed in the league at the halfway point of the season, but a late season struggle cost the Pride the lead, as they lost 4 of their last 7 games. One of those losses came at the hands of West Chester by a score of 6-4. Hofstra would like nothing better than to avenge that loss and secure a high seed in the elimination round. West Chester doesn?t want that to happen. The Golden Rams were buried all year in the southern conference, and many people may look past them --- that?s exactly what the Rams want! If Hofstra comes out flat, expect them to be down a few goals early. Hofstra doesn't want that to happen, because a comeback against West Chester isn?t the easiest thing to do.
Neumann vs. Albany
Albany has never beaten Neumann in the history of their series. However, this isn?t the same Albany team that Neumann has seen in the past. This year's Albany team is faster and stronger, and full of threats. Neumann is used to having teams play their best games against them, and this should be no different. The Great Danes want to prove that they can beat the best in the league. Neumann should be able to leave this game with a victory if they can keep the game at even strength, and stay out of the penalty box. Albany has a dangerous power play that can take over a game. Expect this to be one of the best early morning games.
Brockport vs. Maine
Maine and Brockport have met twice this season, and sadly for the Black Bears, both games have ended in defeat. Brockport doesn?t want its first loss to Maine to occur in the playoffs. The Golden Eagles are the #1 seed coming in, and should go 2-0 in their Round Robin pool with a victory over Maine. Unfortunately for Brockport, Maine has turned things around in the second half of the season, and boasts a victory over Neumann. Brockport has senior leadership, and the firepower to skate past Maine. Only time will tell if they can fire on all cylinders on the most important weekend of the year!
Temple vs. West Chester
Everyone looks forward to rubber matches, because each team has a chance to take the season series, but it?s even sweeter, when that victory comes in the playoffs. Temple won the first game of the series, and they hope they can with the last. This game is a must win for Temple because any type of tie in the other Round Robin brackets could push the Owls out of the playoffs. West Chester dominated the second game of the season, and shouldn?t have much of a problem dismissing a very physical Temple team if they are allowed to play their style of game.
Shippensburg vs. Duquesne
In the first game of the Season, the Raiders came out and handed Duquesne a lopsided defeat on their home court. Later in the season, the Roller Dukes came east and returned the favor destroying Shippensburg on their home court. Finally, on a neutral rink, one final game will determine the season series. Since the loss, the Raiders are 5-0-0 against DII opponents. Expect this to be the game to watch in the afternoon, as the Raiders don?t want to end up in the play-in game, and a loss could potentially cripple their chances at attending the NCT tourney at the end of the season.
Maine vs. Stony Brook
Maine and Stony Brook both started their season off the same way, with a bunch of ties, and unfortunate losses. One team --- Maine, has rebounded, while the other --- Stony Brook, found itself clawing to clinch the final playoff spot. Both teams have met twice this year, with a different result each time. In their first meeting, it appeared that Stony Brook would leave with a 1-0 victory, but with just :08 remaining in the game Carey Gustanski found the back of the net off a feed from David Hunt, forcing Stony Brook to settle for a 1-1 tie. In the second meeting, Maine had no problem finding the back of the net, lead by Carey Gustanski with 2 goals and 2 assists. Expect Maine to come out hard in this game, knowing that a victory is necessary to advance. Stony Brook fought hard in the final weekend of the regular season, and should continue to fight, as they don?t want their inaugural season to come to an early end.