These are the three things I think I learned this week.
1. Merrimack sweeps Boston University? Really?
Okay, it was one thing for the Warriors to defeated the Terriers, newly minted as the number one team in the country, on Tuesday night. Way to go Merrimack. Great upset.
But then to have the Warriors do it again at Agganis this weekend to sweep the season series just boggles the mind. Wow.
2. UMass Lowell drops its fourth straight.
The River Hawks were flying high with seven straight wins, but that has turned around 180 degrees. With losses this weekend to Northeastern and BU, Lowell has now lost four straight.
And with all four of those being Hockey East games, the River Hawks are now just 7-7-1 in league play. A first-round bye could be slipping away.
3. Providence and Maine sweep
Only two teams pulled off Friday-Saturday sweeps: Providence over New Hampshire and Maine over Massachusetts. Both were significant in the standings.
For Maine, this means a move out of the cellar. For the Friars, this means a three-way tie at .500 with Lowell and Connecticut. Often, a .500 record is little cause for celebration. However, the Friars dug a hole for themselves early, but now have won five straight.
And of major consequence is that Providence would make the NCAA tournament if the season ended today. Watch out for the Friars!
Ironically, this week’s two “sweep” teams play each other this upcoming week, so we’ll see who keeps the momentum going.
