Three things from Atlantic Hockey play this weekend:
1. A few weeks ago I made this prediction:
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We’re beginning to see some real separation at the top. Niagara and Holy Cross have opened a six and five point lead, respectively, over the rest of the pack. The Purple Eagles, who defeated Canisius and Robert Morris this weekend, have two games in hand on Holy Cross, which took three of four points from Rochester Institute of Technology Saturday and Sunday. Saturday’s 7-3 win was the first time Holy Cross had defeated the Tigers in the regular season since RIT joined the league in 2006, a span of 16 games.
2. Hobey Chubak? – Another weekend, another stellar performance by Niagara goaltender Carsen Chubak. He’s going to win his fourth consecutive AHA goaltender of the week award after allowing one goal on 75 shots in pair of wins. Chubak now sports a ridiculous 9.70 save percentage and a 0.99 GAA with five shutouts, leading the nation in all three categories. While Bentley’s Brett Gensler is drawing national attention with his nations’ best 2.11 points per game, Chubak is the AHA’s leading contender for a Hobey Baker finalist slot right now.
3. At 8-2-3 overall and 7-0-1 in its last eight games, Niagara deserves to be ranked this week. Atlantic Hockey has not had a team in the USCHO.com Poll since Air Force was ranked No. 19 in this year’s preseason poll. Niagara’s two losses were 3-2 at Michigan State and 10-2 at Colgate (Carsen Chubak didn’t play in the Colgate game). At 7-2-1, you could also see Holy Cross getting some votes.
