There are only one weekend left in the regular season in Atlantic Hockey, but eight of the 10 places in the playoffs have yet to be determined.
The top six teams in the standings say goodbye in the first round. The top four will host the quarterfinal series, which begins March 11. Sown from 7 to 10 will be combined in the series of the first round, which will take the seventh and eighth sown, starting on March 4.
The first round and quarterfinal series are the best of the three, with four semifinals advancing to Utica, NY, to the semifinals and singles finals on March 18 and 19.
Here is a summary of the post-season opportunities for all ten Atlantic hockey teams.
Tie breaks are as follows:
1. Winning points
2. Victories in the rules of the conference (5 on 5)
3. Victories in the rules of the conference and victories in overtime
4. Victories in the rules of the conference, victories in overtime and victories by bulls
5. Head-to-head differential.
6. Goals conceded in butt competitions.
7. Percentage of wins in games against teams starting at number 1 and up to 10.
8. Differentiation of goals in games against teams starting from number 1 and up to 10.
The race is tough, so expect them to come into play.
Here’s my look at the possible results this weekend. Any errors in calculations – mine.
AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL
Currently: First
Remaining games: vs. Niagara (2)
Possible seeds: First
Outlook: The Yellow Jackets won their fourth straight title in a regular season last weekend and will be fighting for their third consecutive AHA playoff title (in 2020 the playoffs were not awarded). In the quarterfinals AIC blocked first place and home ice.
KANIZIY
Currently: Other
Remaining games: v. Mercyhurst, in Mercyhurst
Possible seeds: Second to fourth
Outlook: The Golden Griffins said goodbye in the first round and home ice in the quarterfinals.
WEST POINT ARMY
Currently: Third
Remaining games: at Sacred Heart, vs. Sacred Heart
Possible seeds: Second to fifth
Outlook: Black Knights can guarantee a home quarterfinal series by scoring at least two points in their latest series with Sacred Heart.
Rochester Institute of Technology
Currently: Fourth
Remaining games: in the Air Force (2)
Possible seeds: Second to seventh
Outlook: The Tigers need one point to say goodbye in the first round, and three points to win home ice in the quarterfinals.
SACRED HEART
Currently: Fifth
Remaining games: against Army West Point, in Army West Point
Possible seeds: Third-Ninth
Outlook: SHU is still eligible for the quarterfinal series and needs four points this weekend to secure a farewell to the first round.
AIR FORCE
Currently: Sixth
Remaining games: v. RIT (2)
Possible seeds: fourth to ninth
Outlook: The Falcons must pick up five of RIT’s six points this weekend, and Sacred Heart earn three points or less to finish fourth. Five points will earn goodbye, whatever else happens.
BENTLEY
Currently: Seventh
Remaining games: against the Holy Cross, near the Holy Cross
Possible seeds: fifth to ninth
Outlook: Bentley will need help to earn a farewell in the first round, but could block home ice in the first round by gaining three points this weekend.
НЯГАРА
Currently: Eighth
Remaining games: in AIC (2)
Possible seeds: fifth to ninth
Outlook: Like Bentley, though the Purple Eagles need four points to secure home ice in the first round.
MERSICHERST
Currently: Ninth
Remaining games: in Canisius, against Canisius
Possible seeds: fifth to ninth
Outlook: The Lakers have a very outside chance to say goodbye, and in order to hold the first round series, Mercihurst must score two points more than Niagara, provided that Niagara does not win in any game with the AIC. Otherwise he needs three points more than Purple Eagles.
HOLY CROSS
Currently: 10th
Remaining games: at Bentley, vs. Bentley
Possible seeds: Tenth
Outlook: The Crusaders will open the playoffs on March 4 at number seven.