Predictions: Who will win the NEPSAC championship games?

The NEPSAC championship games are finally here.

After Saturday's semifinals, the matchups are set: Cushing and Avon Old Farms will meet in the Stuart/Corkery Elite 8 final, Taft will take on Salisbury in the Martin/Earl Large School championship and Frederick Gunn and Lawrence Academy will meet in the Piatelli/Simmons Small School final.

That means that for the final time this postseason, it's time for predictions.

Jeff Cox went 5-1 with his semifinal predictions, bringing his record during these playoffs to 14-4. Evan Marinofsky went 4-2 in the semifinals and is 12-6 overall. Both clearly know the future.

For the final time, let's dive into our predictions for the three championship games.

Elite 8: No. 1 Cushing vs. No. 2 Avon Old Farms

Cox: This is the matchup we’ve all been hoping and waiting for since November. The two best teams in prep hockey from start to finish will meet for the ultimate championship.

Landan Resendes (Marlborough, Mass.) versus Joe Connor (Amherst, N.H.) is the individual matchup within the game. The two are former teammates with Hillside School and Minuteman Flames.

Prediction: This is a tough one to pick, but I’ll take the Penguins since they were my preseason No. 1. Cushing wins, 4-3.

ELITE 8 SEMIFINAL RECAPS: Cushing-Brunswick | Avon Old Farms-Belmont Hill

Marinofsky: Avon Old Farms has the fun ability to turn it on at any moment and fill the other team's net with pucks. It won't be easy to do that against Cushing's defense, which is deep and good at making life difficult for the opponent.

Both of these teams have elite top lines, but I'd give the edge to Cushing with Resendes and Ethan Gardula (Princeton, Mass.). Cushing also comes in with a ton of motivation after last year's 6-0 defeat to the Winged Beavers in the Elite 8 quarterfinals. This will be the best game of the day and it's the matchup we've all wanted to see. It's going to be a tight one.

Prediction: Cushing wins, 3-2.

Large School: No. 1 Taft vs. No. 2 Salisbury

Cox: These two teams met twice in the regular season with both going overtime. Each team won one on the other team’s ice.

A rubber match for the Large School final awaits. Can Rudy Guimond stand tall one more time? Will Salisbury win another championship, albeit not the one the Crimson Knights are accustomed to?

Prediction: Salisbury squeezes it out with a 2-1 win.

FULL SCHEDULES AND BRACKETS: Elite 8 | Large School | Small School 

Marinofsky: It's hard to pick against Salisbury, especially in a championship game. Head coach Andrew Will does this cool thing where he just wins the big games all the time. He's a top coach in prep hockey for a reason and his teams are always bought in.

But Guimond has been sensational this season and the main reason why Taft is still here. He made 42 saves in his first meeting with Salisbury this season and 54 in his second. It will likely be a similar number of stops on Sunday. Fortunately for him, Taft has the weapons up front to help him out.

Prediction: Taft wins, 3-2.

Small School: No. 3 Frederick Gunn vs. No. 4 Lawrence Academy

Cox: The Small School final is the most surprising matchup of the prep playoffs. Lawrence has some firepower, but Frederick Gunn can roll four lines and three defensive pairings. Craig Badger’s team has the momentum of a comeback overtime victory at Holderness in the semifinal.

Prediction: Frederick Gunn takes this one, 4-3, due to an advantage in depth.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR: 5 biggest storylines in NEPSAC championships

Marinofsky: Everyone loves a good senior story and that's exactly what's happening with Lawrence Academy senior netminder Vincent Lamberti, who took over the Spartans net late but has thrived to get his team here.

Frederick Gunn, however, has some really strong firepower up front and depth. I give the edge to Badger's squad here.

Prediction: Frederick Gunn wins, 4-1.