Sports
NESCAC Hockey Playoff Brackets
By Sports Staff
February 23, 2017
Tags sports
NESCAC Men's Hockey Playoff Bracket
Bowdoin @ Hamilton:
Hamilton College holds the best overall record in the NESCAC, with a conference-low three NESCAC losses this season. Bowdoin has a potent scoring offense, but will face the NESCAC-best Hamilton defense away from Maine. Prediction: Hamilton 4, Bowdoin 1.
Wesleyan @ Colby
Two of the NESCAC’s finest scoring talents will square off in the two/seven match-up in Wesleyan’s Walker Harris ’20 and Colby’s Phil Klitirinos ’18. Wesleyan is the most efficient power-play and penalty-kill team in the conference. Bold prediction: Harris will score a hat-trick to lead the Cardinals to a stunning upset. Prediction: Wesleyan 5, Colby 3.
Tufts @ Trinity
Trinity scores 4.25 goals per game to lead the NESCAC, and has the leading scorer in the conference in Anthony Sabitsky ’18. Tufts scores the least goals per game of any NESCAC playoff team (2.42). Prediction: Trinity 3, Tufts 0.
Williams @ Amherst:
Defensive-minded Amherst will have its hands full with relentless Ephs’ forwards David Italiano ’18 and Robert Cellini ’19. Williams has struggled in the net throughout the winter season, but the fire-power of its top line will likely carry the fourth seed to a playoff win. Prediction: Williams 4, Amherst 3 in OT
NESCAC Women's Hockey Playoff Bracket
Wesleyan @ Middlebury:
The Panthers have the NESCAC’s top-ranked offense and third-ranked defense, while the Cardinals are in the bottom tier of the conference in both categories. Wesleyan leads the conference in penalty minutes and Middlebury is the NESCAC’s best on the power play. Prediction: Middlebury 5, Wesleyan 2
Williams @ Connecticut College:
The Camels have the best defense in the conference, aided by Katherine Chester ’17, the best goaltender in the conference, allowing an average of just 1.09 goals in her 20 games. The Camels are 9-1-2 at home, and will open with a win at Dayton Arena. Prediction: Connecticut College 2, Williams 0
Bowdoin @ Hamilton:
Katie Parkman ’17, who is fourth in the conference in scoring, leads the Hamilton offense, which finished fifth in the NESCAC, against the Polar Bears fifth-ranked defense. Hamilton has the conference’s second-ranked defense and are the best penalty killers in the league. Prediction: Hamilton 2, Bowdoin 1 OT
Amherst @ Trinity:
While Trinity is the higher seed, the Bantams’ overall record was just 9-12-3 compared to Amherst’s 12-7-5. Trinity’s last-ranked offense will not be able to keep up Amherst’s high-powered offense, led by Alex Toupal ’18, the NESCAC’s second-leading scorer. Prediction: Amherst 3, Trinity 1