This late in the season, games are almost exciting by default. With the Frozen Fair Championship a mere 21 days away, this weekend's match-ups have a sizable impact on seeding & selection.
Forget all that.
Added weight aside, the 9 games on deck for week 2, semester 2 are some of the best storylines of the season. From renewed rivalries to first time meetings, each series seems like a closer match-up than the one before.
Snow or no, the next 3 days could be the best to follow along. Here's why:
In the last DVCHC game of 2014, the NJ Phoenix had a 6-1 lead over Columbia, 1/2 way through the 2nd. At the end of that period it would be tied 6-6. With 1 second left in the game, Columbia sealed the dramatic, comeback win at home & handed NJP its 1st loss. This weekend, NJ Phoenix vs Columbia is on again. How will THIS one go?
After a season astride in the standings, UPENN vs Villanova finally happened in December. It was 6-6 with minutes to go before the Quakers put that game in the books: a 6pt effort from UPENN's Elizabeth Hitti with SIX goal scorers from Villanova. Saturday's rematch should be equally epic. A Penn win means they could challenge 1st. A Villanova win hands Towson the #1 seed & pulls these two twins into 2nd. This could be a Frozen Fair preview...
This historical 1st meeting of Rutgers vs. Loyola kicks off tonight & continues Saturday. The result could determine which team has a shot at the post-season, and which is in danger of being the one left behind. This series has weight PLUS both squads are protecting learning curves in net (68 GA in 4 division games) AND both can score like nobody's business (31 GF in 4 division games). That triple threat could make this new match-up an instant classic.
The NJ Phoenix vs Saint Joseph's game pits #1 vs #2 in their 1st meeting of the year. They've allowed the least goals in D2 and combine for 79 goals. Between them, they have one loss in regulation & one in overtime. This one's gonna be good AND it'll see who takes (or holds) 1st place.
D2's winless teams will meet for a chance to ditch that distinction in American vs IUP. Both teams have gone through rebuilding seasons, IUP shaking off a massive graduation & American hobbled by injuries that reduced their roster to 5 at the Showcase. This doubleheader should be a well-spirited & more equal match-up for the two to spread their wings. It could also drag IUP out of playoff contention - Indiana needs both wins to keep those hopes alive.
Separated by division and 315 miles of driving, Liberty & Rowan do have a few things in common - one of which is the ACHA. This first-time match-up will count towards the national rankings where Liberty was #6 and Rowan #10 in the last vote. Success could mean climbing that ladder. Rowan hasn't had trouble scoring goals but the LU crew has two of the best goaltenders in D1. This should be a great set of games.
Tag(s): Home Season Liberty University Rutgers University Towson University Villanova University American University Columbia University Indiana U. of Pennsylvania North Jersey Phoenix Rowan University Saint Joseph's University Univ. of Pennsylvania Division 1 North Division 1 South Division 2 Loyola University