Trinity has a chance to win its first NCAA Division 3 championship in nine years – without ever leaving Hartford, Conn.
Monday’s selection show saw four teams from the region make the NCAA championship field of 13 teams – conference champs Trinity (NESCAC), Endicott (Commonwealth Coast) and Plymouth State (MASCAC), plus Curry, which received an at-large bid.
Trinity was the only team from that group to receive a bye into the quarterfinals, a game it will host on March 16.
Here is a closer look at the region’s teams in the field and their NCAA tourney paths.
TRINITY
Record: 23-3-1, won NESCAC tournament | Next game: Quarterfinals: March 16 vs. Elmira/Endicott winner
The Bantams were the wire-to-wire best team in the NESCAC and sophomore goalie Devon Bobak was the league’s MVP, recording a 1.24 goals-against average and .940 save percentage. He backstopped Trinity to wins in the NESCAC tournament over Colby (2-1), Middlebury (5-2) and Tufts (4-0) while allowing just three goals.
Trinity ranks second in the nation in scoring defense (1.30 goals per game) and fourth in penalty killing (90.5 percent). It is 0-2 this season against teams in the NCAA field, losing one-goal games to Curry and Hobart.
The Frozen Four will be held on campus at the Koeppel Community Sports Center on March 21 and 23.
ENDICOTT
Record: 17-5-5, won Commonwealth Coast tournament | Next game: First round: March 9 at Elmira (19-7-1)
After spending a good chunk of the season in the league weeds as Curry set the pace, the Gulls are once again playing their best hockey at the most important time, becoming the first team to win back-to-back CCC titles.
Senior forward Andrew Kurapov (11-20-31) leads a parade of five Endicott players with at least 20 points. His team ranks 13th in D-3 in scoring (3.70 goals per game) and ninth in goals allowed (2.0).
After hosting the Frozen Four a year ago at Raymond J. Bourque Arena, the Gulls got no favors from the NCAA tournament committee, getting sent on the road to play a good Elmira team that finished fourth in a stacked NEHC and is averaging better than 4 goals a game.
CURRY
Record: 20-5-1, lost to Salve Regina in Commonwealth Coast semifinals | Next game: First round: March 9 at SUNY-Geneseo (21-5)
It’s back-to-back trips to the NCAA tournament for the Colonels, who had to endure some sleepless nights after getting ushered out of the CCC tournament in the semifinals by Salve Regina, 7-2.
That loss belied what has been a terrific stretch run for Curry, which carried a 12-game win streak into the CCC tournament. Sophomore Gage Dill has produced a second straight superb season with 10 goals and 27 points, and junior Eelis Laaksonen has matched him with 12-15-27.
Freshman goalie Shane Soderwall (.942 save percentage) is a big reason why the Colonels are 11th in D-3 in scoring defense, allowing 2.04 goals per game.
PLYMOUTH STATE
Record: 23-2-2, won MASCAC tournament | Next game: First round: March 9 vs. Cortland (18-8-2)
Is this the year for the Panthers to make an NCAA breakthrough? The program’s all-time 0-5 record in the NCAAs is an albatross begging to be shed and this might be the best year to do it.
Only one team in the nation (Hobart) is scoring more than their 5.0 goals a game. Sophomore forward Will Redick is D-3’s runaway leader in goals (26) and points (55), and a supporting cast includes junior Connor Tait (16-19-35) and seven other players who’ve produced more than 20 points.
Hanaway Rink, where the Panthers are 13-0-1 this season, is sure to be rocking on Saturday night. Maybe celebrating an NCAA tourney win, too.
NCAA DIVISION 3 TOURNAMENT
FIRST ROUND
Saturday, March 9
Endicott (17-5-5) at Elmira (19-7-1)
Wisconsin-Stevens Point (21-5-2) at Adrian (22-6-1)
St. Olaf (14-11-3) at St. Norbert (22-6)
Curry (20-5-1) at SUNY-Geneseo (21-5)
Cortland (18-8-2) at Plymouth State (23-2-2)
QUARTERFINALS
Saturday, March 16
Endicott/Elmira winner at Trinity (23-3-1)
Wisconsin-Stevens Point/Adrian winner vs. St. Olaf/St. Norbert winner
Curry/SUNY-Geneseo winner at Hobart (25-2-1)
Cortland/Plymouth State winner at Utica (23-2-3)
FROZEN FOUR
March 21 and 23 at Hartford, Conn.
@MikeZhe603
mzhe@hockeyjournal.com
