If you looked at the Hockey East standings before the start of this weekend’s games and you look at them today. Providence went from hosting the quarter round playoff series to traveling for the quarter-finals. Obviously we haven’t hit Thanksgiving yet and thing will change.
The point is when you think the field is starting to settle in, things get jumble up. It’s almost like the AFC conference in the NFL. Merrimack has been the top dog all season long, Boston College has gone through a rough patch the last two weekends, Boston University and New Hampshire have found their rhythm.
Boston College
I think they have played the toughest schedule in Hockey East and maybe in the nation to this point of the season. They traveled to South Bend, Indiana to face Notre Dame and came away on the losing side of a 3-2 game that ended in overtime.
Merrimack
Idle
Boston University
They earned four key points and this is after goaltender Kieran Millan was suspended for Friday’s game against Vermont violating team policies. Vermont gave them a game, but the Terriers got goals from four different players scored in the 4-3 victory. On Saturday, Boston University had no problem with New Hampshire as they dispatched the Wildcats 4-1.
New Hampshire
They had a great start to the weekend as they had no problem with UMass-Lowell, as they defeated the River Hawks 5-0. Again their depth was the factor as they got goals from five different goal scorers. As I mentioned above, Boston University came away with the 4-1 victory.
UMass-Lowell
I thought needed two points this week and they got them on Saturday in the 4-0 win over Massachusetts. Chad Ruhwedel had a goal and two assists while Riley Wetmore had a goal and an assist. It wasn’t their night Friday with the 5-0 loss to New Hampshire.
Providence
It wasn’t their night on Friday as they dropped a 5-2 decision to the Northeastern Huskies. A game I thought they were going to win. They aren’t going to win every game, but was the other results this weekend it’s a game they would like to have back.
Northeastern
They had a great weekend as they jumped into a playoff position if the season ended today. It wasn’t a one man show on Friday in the 5-2 victory over Providence. Steve Quailer one of the five different goal scorers had a goal and an assist. Ludwig Karlsson had two goals against Vermont in the 4-1 victory on Saturday.
Maine
The Black Bears once again let two points slip through their grasp. They got out to a 2-0 lead over Massachusetts after the first period, but only skated away with a 2-2 tie in overtime. Maine has to start capitalizing on their chances because if they don’t these lost points will cost them at the end of the season.
Massachusetts
All things considered, it was a pretty good to earn that point against Maine on Friday as Michael Pereira and Steven Guzzo got the goals to acquire that point. At the same time there must be a bitter taste in their mouth as they lost 5-0 to their rivals, UMass-Lowell
Vermont
You think they are on the cusp of a victory when they battle against the Boston University Terriers like they did. Then they have a game like against Northeastern, it makes you wonder when will they beat a team they are capable of beating?
Four Stars of the Week
Freshman of the Week – Ludwig Karlsson (Northeastern) He had three goals this weekend and now has six goals and four assists in ten games.
Sophomore of the Week – Doug Carr (UMass-Lowell) He earned the 5-0 shutout against the Minutemen on Saturday night. He improved to 5-1 with a 1.83 goals against average and .921 save pecentage on the season.
Junior of the Week – Steve Quailer (Northeastern) He had two goals and an assist and he now has three goals and five assists in ten games.
Senior of the Week – David Vallorani (UMass-Lowell) He had a goal and assist in the win over the Mainutemen.
Predictions – 5-3-1 on the weekend (includes Notre Dame beating Boston College in football 16-14 ) 28-15-6 overall