The NCAA has released the pairings for the 2003 Division III Men’s Hockey Championships.
Oswego (23-6-1), which won the SUNYAC title by defeating Plattsburgh two games to one in the SUNYAC finals, will host ECAC East champion Wentworth (21-4-3) on Saturday, March 15. The teams met twice this season, with Oswego winning both meetings, 5-1 and 9-1.
ECAC champ Norwich (24-3) will host NESCAC winner Trinity on March 15. The teams split their two meetings this season, with Norwich winning 4-1 in the finals of the Time Argus Tournament on January 4, and Trinity winning the conference game between the two 5-2 on January 25.
Middlebury (21-4-2), the NESCAC runner-up, will host ECAC West champion Elmira (18-7-2) on march 15. The teams did not meet this season. Both of teams received at-large bids to the tournament, with Elmira getting the Pool “B” bid and Middlebury a Pool “C” bid.
In the West, Wisconsin-River Falls (22-6-1), which captured the other Pool “C” at-large berth, will host MIAC winner St. John’s (20-6-1) in a first-round game on March 12. St. John’s defeated Wisconsin-River Falls 2-1 on December 14. The winner will face NCHA champion St. Norbert (26-1-2) on March 15 in a quarterfinal.
Since three of the four quarterfinals are in the East, the Division III semifinals and finals, which will be held March 21 and 22, will most likely be at an Eastern location. Norwich or the winner of the Elmira-Middlebury series are likely host locations.
