February 26, 2006
Division 1 Round Robin Previews
Plenty of Opportunity for Upsets
Matchup Previews
Boston vs. Rutgers: Opening the Division 1 Regional Championship Tournament will be a matchup between the Central Conference Champions Rutgers University and the Boston Terriers. In their last meeting in Long Island, NY, Rutgers dominated Boston en route to a 10-1 victory. Boston is playing better hockey recently, going 2-2 in their final weekend to qualify for the playoffs. With Rutgers coming off a 5-5 tie with Buffalo at All Star Weekend, this game has all of the makings for an upset, as #8 Boston could catch #2 Rutgers napping.
Maryland vs. Towson: Making for another intriguing matchup, southern conference rivals Towson and Maryland will do battle in Division 1?s opening round. These two teams used to be a very strong rivalry, as they competed for the ECRHA Division 1 championship in March of 2004. However, Towson earned the ECRHA?s top seed this year with an undefeated 16-0-2 record, while Maryland snuck into the playoffs in their last game of the season as a #9 seed. In their last meeting, Towson defeated Maryland 9-2, improving their lead in the season series to 2-0-1. There is a large possibility of an upset, as the teams did tie less than two months ago and have a history of bad blood.
Pittsburgh vs. RIT: Although these teams did not meet this season, RIT leads the all time series 7-0, which is bad news for Pittsburgh. The Tigers have been hot, winners of their last six games. The underdog in this matchup, Pittsburgh, comes into Regionals on a 2 game losing streak. They?ve shown flashes of brilliance down the stretch and are very capable of beating a top team, but will they be able to put it all together and survive quite possibly the toughest pool at Regionals?
Rutgers vs. Binghamton: The last time these two central conference powerhouses met, Rutgers dominated the Bearcats in a 9-1 laugher, improving their lead in the season series to 2-0. However, this is not the same Binghamton team that the Scarlet Knights trounced last time. Binghamton has been Division 1?s hottest team, going 2-0-2 in their final weekend of the regular season. Following convincing wins over Pittsburgh and Maryland, the Bearcats went on to tie UCSB, one of the West Coast?s top teams, and tie ECRHA?s most dangerous team, Suffolk. This will undoubtedly be one of the Round Robin?s most exciting games to watch, as both teams are legitimate contenders for the title this year.
Uconn vs. Towson: Towson has earned their #3 national ranking for a reason, and Uconn will have to play way above their heads to keep this game within reach. In their one meeting this season, Towson dominated Uconn by a score of 7-3. The Huskies looked shaky in their last weekend of the season, going a mediocre 2-2 to qualify for the tournament. Will Uconn have the determination to give Towson a run for their money?
RIT vs. Buffalo: With these two perennial powerhouses headlining what can be called the ?death pool? of the round robin, this game looks to the most evenly-matched competition of the entire opening round. In their only meeting of this season, RIT defeated Buffalo 4-3 on a late third period goal. As all other aspects of these two teams are fairly even, the team that can stay out of the penalty box and gets the better goaltending will win this game.
Uconn vs. Maryland: With one of the tiebreakers for the Round Robin being seed coming into regionals, this game is likely a must win for Maryland. These two clubs last met at All Star Weekend, with the Huskies overcoming a daunting 5-goal deficit en route to an 8- 6 victory. That loss nearly cost the Terrapins their season. Once again, their season will be on the line, as a loss in this game will likely send them packing.
Binghamton vs. Boston: In another very evenly-matched game, Boston will be looking to avenge their two losses to Binghamton this season. The Terriers can find solace in the fact that both losses to the Bearcats this season were by one goal. However, with Binghamton playing their best hockey of the season, don?t be surprised to see Boston eliminated from Regionals with a loss in this game.
Buffalo vs. Pittsburgh: The ?death pool?s? final game will feature two central conference clubs fighting for their playoff lives. With both teams splitting the season series, there is no clear-cut favorite in this game. Buffalo had the last laugh, defeating Pittsbugh 8-7 less than two months ago. However, Pittsburgh dominated Buffalo early in the season, winning a thrilling 8-4 contest at their home court in Harmar Township, PA. With plenty of offense on both sides, expect this shootout to be decided by the team that scores the final goal of the game.
Boston vs. Rutgers: Opening the Division 1 Regional Championship Tournament will be a matchup between the Central Conference Champions Rutgers University and the Boston Terriers. In their last meeting in Long Island, NY, Rutgers dominated Boston en route to a 10-1 victory. Boston is playing better hockey recently, going 2-2 in their final weekend to qualify for the playoffs. With Rutgers coming off a 5-5 tie with Buffalo at All Star Weekend, this game has all of the makings for an upset, as #8 Boston could catch #2 Rutgers napping.
Maryland vs. Towson: Making for another intriguing matchup, southern conference rivals Towson and Maryland will do battle in Division 1?s opening round. These two teams used to be a very strong rivalry, as they competed for the ECRHA Division 1 championship in March of 2004. However, Towson earned the ECRHA?s top seed this year with an undefeated 16-0-2 record, while Maryland snuck into the playoffs in their last game of the season as a #9 seed. In their last meeting, Towson defeated Maryland 9-2, improving their lead in the season series to 2-0-1. There is a large possibility of an upset, as the teams did tie less than two months ago and have a history of bad blood.
Pittsburgh vs. RIT: Although these teams did not meet this season, RIT leads the all time series 7-0, which is bad news for Pittsburgh. The Tigers have been hot, winners of their last six games. The underdog in this matchup, Pittsburgh, comes into Regionals on a 2 game losing streak. They?ve shown flashes of brilliance down the stretch and are very capable of beating a top team, but will they be able to put it all together and survive quite possibly the toughest pool at Regionals?
Rutgers vs. Binghamton: The last time these two central conference powerhouses met, Rutgers dominated the Bearcats in a 9-1 laugher, improving their lead in the season series to 2-0. However, this is not the same Binghamton team that the Scarlet Knights trounced last time. Binghamton has been Division 1?s hottest team, going 2-0-2 in their final weekend of the regular season. Following convincing wins over Pittsburgh and Maryland, the Bearcats went on to tie UCSB, one of the West Coast?s top teams, and tie ECRHA?s most dangerous team, Suffolk. This will undoubtedly be one of the Round Robin?s most exciting games to watch, as both teams are legitimate contenders for the title this year.
Uconn vs. Towson: Towson has earned their #3 national ranking for a reason, and Uconn will have to play way above their heads to keep this game within reach. In their one meeting this season, Towson dominated Uconn by a score of 7-3. The Huskies looked shaky in their last weekend of the season, going a mediocre 2-2 to qualify for the tournament. Will Uconn have the determination to give Towson a run for their money?
RIT vs. Buffalo: With these two perennial powerhouses headlining what can be called the ?death pool? of the round robin, this game looks to the most evenly-matched competition of the entire opening round. In their only meeting of this season, RIT defeated Buffalo 4-3 on a late third period goal. As all other aspects of these two teams are fairly even, the team that can stay out of the penalty box and gets the better goaltending will win this game.
Uconn vs. Maryland: With one of the tiebreakers for the Round Robin being seed coming into regionals, this game is likely a must win for Maryland. These two clubs last met at All Star Weekend, with the Huskies overcoming a daunting 5-goal deficit en route to an 8- 6 victory. That loss nearly cost the Terrapins their season. Once again, their season will be on the line, as a loss in this game will likely send them packing.
Binghamton vs. Boston: In another very evenly-matched game, Boston will be looking to avenge their two losses to Binghamton this season. The Terriers can find solace in the fact that both losses to the Bearcats this season were by one goal. However, with Binghamton playing their best hockey of the season, don?t be surprised to see Boston eliminated from Regionals with a loss in this game.
Buffalo vs. Pittsburgh: The ?death pool?s? final game will feature two central conference clubs fighting for their playoff lives. With both teams splitting the season series, there is no clear-cut favorite in this game. Buffalo had the last laugh, defeating Pittsbugh 8-7 less than two months ago. However, Pittsburgh dominated Buffalo early in the season, winning a thrilling 8-4 contest at their home court in Harmar Township, PA. With plenty of offense on both sides, expect this shootout to be decided by the team that scores the final goal of the game.