College Hockey:
Atlantic Hockey Picks March 2-4. Playoff edition – the first round

By Chris Lerch • Atlantic Hockey Columnist • March 1, 2012

Last Week: 6-3-3
On the Season: 155-63-30 (.685)

This Week’s Picks:

Atlantic Hockey Playoffs: First Round
Best of Three Series
Friday, March 2 – Sunday, March 4

No. 9 Canisius at No. 8 Connecticut – The Huskies swept the Golden Griffins in Buffalo earlier in the season. Neither team has been playing well with just three wins between them in the month of February. I think UConn’s power play will be the difference. UConn in three.

No. 10 American International at No. 7 Robert Morris – The teams split this season but RMU leads the all-time series 6-1-1. The Colonials made a quick exit from last year’s playoffs and that should be enough motivation to get through this round. Robert Morris in two.

No. 11 Sacred Heart at No. 6 Bentley – The Pioneers have been playing much better as if late but are still allowing too many goals to advance, especially against a Bentley offense that features one of the top lines in the league. Bentley in two.

No. 12 Army at No. 5 Holy Cross – Despite missing out on a first-round bye, Holy Cross is a legitimate threat to go all the way, and I think it starts here with a sweep. The Crusaders took all three games from the Black Knights during the regular season. Holy Cross in two.

Take Me On

Feel free to chime in by posting your picks in the comments.

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Anonymous
The Mavericks have played all of their top-tier opponents tough this year, and I don’t expect the CC series to be any different. I’m not saying that they’ll walk away with more than a point or 2, the Tigers have some excellent offensive weapons, but between a goaltender (Cook) that is perfectly capable of stealing games for them and an offense that scores in bunches MSU could be tough.
CC sweep, but not by much
- Phoenixfyre1313
  CC’s mediocre goaltending will haunt them. Minnesota state has been playing good hockey lately and they are home. Look for a split here this weekend.
CC_Fan_in_section_120
CC, on paper, should sweep. But the should have swept Alaska as well and were only a few minutes away from going into overtime and potentailly tying Alaska last Saturday evening.
If CC’s defense shows up, then they sweep, if not, then it will be another long weekend of missed potential for the Tigers.
- Suze
  I think you meant a few “seconds”, 2.8 to be exact. :)
  - CC_Fan_in_section_120
    Minutes, seconds. Whatever, it felt like a lifetime……
Hank
I predict Denver gets swept by St. Cloud.
- CC_Fan_in_section_120
  I hope your prediction comes true.
Anonymous
denver on paper should sweep
- CC_Fan_in_section_120
  Hopefully it stays on the paper and not on the ice….
- Phoenixfyre1313
  On paper Denver should sweep, but on the ice they have been underwhelming to say the least.