Three RIT streaks came to an end and Canisius moved into the role of spoiler last weekend, as the Atlantic Hockey playoff picture began to clear.
To recap:
Canisius was shut out for the third consecutive game on Thursday in a 3-0 loss to Niagara. But on Saturday, the Griffs exploded for six goals and defeated the Purple Eagles, knocking Niagara out of contention for a first-round bye.
Robert Morris celebrated senior night and a sellout by jumping off to a 3-0 lead and then cruising to a 5-3 win over Rochester Institute of Technology. The loss snapped RIT’s (then) Division I longest 11-game undefeated streak, as well as a 15-game unbeaten streak in AHA play. The loss was also the first on the season for Tiger goalie Shane Madolora (14-1-6).
Air Force ended Mercyhurst’s slim chances for a bye with a 5-3, 6-5 sweep in Erie. The Falcons had another dramatic comeback on Friday, scoring three times in the final three minutes for the win. On Saturday, it was Air Force that got out to an early lead, but the Lakers’ late-game rally fell just short.
Holy Cross extended its unbeaten streak to nine games by taking three points from Sacred Heart. The Crusaders limited the Pioneers to 15 shots on Friday in a 3-2 win, and erased a two-goal deficit in a 3-3 tie on Sunday.
A split between Connecticut and Bentley was good news for the Huskies, who maintain a two-point lead over the Falcons for the final eastern pod bye. Bentley got a goal and two assists from Erik Peterson on Friday in a 4-2 win to draw even in the standings, but UConn held off a Bentley rally in the closing seconds on Saturday for a 6-4 victory.
And finally, Army kept its hopes for a bye alive with a sweep of American International. On Friday, the Black Knights scored five goals in the second period to roll to a 6-4 win in front of a big crowd at Tate Rink. Saturday’s outdoor contest at Rentschler Field saw Army come out on top again, this time 4-1.
How’d I do?
I had a good week, going 7-3-1, which was just enough to get by Sean Baxter, who also predicted well, going 6-4-1.
I move to 96-62-23 on the season and clinch a winning season against my guests at 9-6-1.
Check back tomorrow for a look at the playoff picture going into the final week of the regular season.
