The rinks in Division 3 have officially gone dark for the holidays.
The action is on hiatus until the new year, when it resumes with two-leg tournaments like the Codfish Bowl, Lobster Pot and Northfield Bank Classic.
Nearly two months of results have shaped the narrative of this season, one that we knew would be unique based on some significant conference realignment.
Here are some first semester takeaways, by league, as we wait for the action to resume after New Year's.
CONFERENCE OF NEW ENGLAND
Most impressive: Endicott
The Gulls didn’t enter the season with the same spotlight that followed Curry and the University of New England, in part because of the graduation of some key players, including an outstanding goalie tandem.
But they own the No. 1 scoring defense in the nation (1.44 goals allowed per game) and a 7-1-1 overall record. This should be a three-team race after the new year (with Curry and UNE) and, defensively, no team is equipped better for it than Endicott.
Keep an eye on: Suffolk
The Rams, under fourth-year coach Shawn McEachern, sit in second place in the league with a 5-1-1 record (5-3-1 overall). With a win and a tie against Endicott, the Rams have shown they can compete, and have positioned themselves well for a top-four finish. Sophomore Nolan Leonard of Braintree, Mass. (3-8-11) has already eclipsed his freshman point total.
NESCAC
Most impressive: Bowdoin
A 4-2 loss to Salve Regina on Saturday ended the semester disappointingly, but the Polar Bears (6-2-1) are sitting pretty in the NESCAC. They share first place with Hamilton – the team considered by most the favorite to win it – and have gotten big seasons from players like freshman forward Jayson Alegria (6-3-9) and sophomore goalie Jacob Osborne (1.70 goals-against average, .944 save percentage).
Keep an eye on: Middlebury
Since losing at Bowdoin and Colby on opening weekend, the Panthers have gone 4-0-2, allowing just eight goals during that span. Kenyon Arena, where Middlebury has not lost all season, is becoming one of the toughest places to play in the entire league.
LITTLE EAST
Most impressive: Babson
The Beavers got off to their best start in recent memory, winning six straight out of the gate and taking a 7-1-2 record into the holiday break. They’re the only team without a loss in Little East play.
Senior goalie Nate Mueller (1.82 GAA, .925 save percentage) has made the position his.
Keep an eye on: Plymouth State
As usual, the home form has been excellent for the Panthers – a 6-1 record and an average of 6 goals a game. The road form? Dismal – a 1-3 record with all three of those losses by at least three goals. That will need to change if they’re to challenge for the title.
MASCAC
Most impressive: Fitchburg State
It’s been a solid start for Dean Fuller’s crew, with a 7-4 overall record and a perfect slate (4-0) in the MASCAC. Junior forward Niklas Millhorn sent the team into the break on a high note by scoring in overtime to beat New England College, 4-3, last week.
Remember, in the previous seven seasons it was Plymouth State winning the regular season, and five times winning the tournament as well. The two times it didn’t win the tournament, Fitchburg did. This team knows how to get across the line.
Keep an eye on: Anna Maria
With Plymouth State out of the mix, Anna Maria was anointed a contender in the preseason, getting picked second in the coaches poll. But it was an uneven first semester for the AmCats, a 4-1 league record to put itself in good position, but also one-sided losses to Salve Regina (7-1) and Plymouth State (9-1).
@MikeZhe603
mzhe@hockeyjournal.com
