The Division 3 holiday break is upon us (no games until Dec. 29) and not all the best stories belong to teams on top of the standings.
In contrast to our power rankings, which regularly recognize the top 10 teams in New England, this post unveils the fan contentment rankings.
Who should feel good about their team, and who should feel really good about their team, based on performance versus preseason expectations and recent history?
Let’s take a look at eight teams who've put smiles on their fans' faces.
1. AMHERST (5-1-1, 5-0 NESCAC)
Sure, five league games is a small sample size compared to the other three New England conferences, but the Mammoths – who finished sixth a year ago, bowed out in the conference quarterfinals and finished below .500 overall – have played five and passed every test. In addition to their typically strong defense (2.13 goals allowed per game) they’re also producing offense (3.63 goals per game). Sophomore forward Ben Kuzma leads the NESCAC in scoring (8-4-12) and no player has attempted more shots.
2. ENDICOTT (10-1, 9-0 CCC)
We can throw a little cold water on this great start: Eight of the Gulls’ 10 wins have come against teams that currently have a losing record, and another one was by forfeit. But a team can only play the games that are in front of it and Endicott is doing that superbly. Ryan Willett, Andrew Kurapov and power-play sniper Zach Mazur are leading an attack producing 4.45 goals a game. Sophomore Atticus Kelly (1.19 goals-against average, .955 save percentage) has grabbed the reins as the No. 1 goalie. The Gulls' holiday wish? More fan support.
3. COLBY (6-1, 4-1 NESCAC)
Sure, the Mules would love to have Saturday’s holiday break off-ramp game against Tufts back (a 3-1 loss that saw the visiting Jumbos win the third period) but there’s been a lot of good work done this last month. Defenseman Jack Sullivan (4-6-10) has picked up where he left off last season, playmaker John McElaney (Walpole, Mass.) shares the NESCAC lead with seven assists, and the defense has been strong in front of goalie Andy Beran. Colby’s return from break starts with a road trip to Hobart and Elmira, two great out-of-league tests.
4. ALBERTUS MAGNUS (9-3)
The independent Falcons were one of last season’s best stories in their second full year as a D-3 independent, going 16-8-1 with wins over Hamilton, Trinity and Plattsburgh. This year’s list of victims includes both Hamilton and Trinity again, and the only real bad day at the rink was an 8-2 loss to Wesleyan on the Sunday after Thanksgiving that snapped a six-game win streak. Many of last year’s leaders – forwards Alex Gagnon, Cam Weitzman and Tyler Ignazitto; defenseman Charles Risk; and goalie Logan Bateman – are flourishing again.
5. FITCHBURG STATE (5-2-2, 3-1-2 MASCAC)
Now in his 39th season, head coach Dean Fuller continues to put strong, competitive teams on the ice. This one is no exception, and is again shaping up to be Plymouth State’s top challenger in the MASCAC. Freshman goalie Max Macchioni of North Kingstown, R.I. (2.08, .944) has eased into the large vacancy created with Brian McGrath’s departure, and senior forwards Rece Bergeman (7-5-12) and Hunter Fortin (6-5-11) are stepping up to lead the offense. Next up for the Falcons: a Codfish Bowl date with UMass Boston on Dec. 29.
6. BOWDOIN (5-1-1, 3-1-1 NESCAC)
The whispers in the preseason were to watch out for this Bowdoin team, which has a dynamic new coach – Ben Guite – and just about all of its production back. Those whispers have graduated into shouts. On a team that last year had just one player produce more than 11 points, freshman Gabe Shipper (8-2-10) has made an instant impact and added to a deep group of forwards. No team in the NESCAC is producing goals at a higher rate than the Polar Bears’ 4.29 per game.
7. NORWICH (8-2-1, 5-1-1 NEHC)
New England's largest Division 3 fan base has reason to smile. One year after finishing fifth in the NEHC, the Cadets are positioning themselves to be the top challenger to powerful Hobart. But goal scoring remains a concern. In 11 games Norwich has produced more than three goals only three times. Senior Philip Elgstam and sophomore Clark Kerner have combined to score 10 of the team's 29 goals (35 percent), so more depth is needed.
8. CURRY (7-2, 6-2 CCC)
Timmy Kent is firing on all cylinders so far in his senior season. He’s averaging nearly two points per game (5-12-17) and leads the Colonels with a robust plus-14. His 12 assists are just one off the national lead – in four fewer games. Defensively, Curry has been stout in front of graduate student goalie Reid Cooper, allowing 1.89 goals per game to rank ninth nationally. A spot in the New Year’s weekend Northfield Savings Bank Tournament will see the Colonels get to measure themselves against Trinity, and then either Norwich or SUNY-Canton.
@MikeZhe603
mzhe@hockeyjournal.com
