Two weekends left and there is a three-way tie for the top spot in Hockey East. Should Massachusetts-Lowell and Boston University win make-up games on Tuesday night, there will be a four-way tie for first heading into next weekend.
1. Providence, New Hampshire and Boston College
That’s your first-place trio atop Hockey East. Add the fact that Merrimack entered the weekend in first place, you have four teams that this weekend alone held the top spot in Hockey East. I’ve been around this league since 1993 and can’t remember a race like this.
2. River Hawks, Friars sweep
By far the biggest stories this weekend were the sweeps orchestrated by Lowell and Providence. Providence was a must-sweep series facing Northeastern. Lowell was a rare feat for their team, having won earlier this season and only having swept the season series from Boston University one other time since 1983. While both of these teams are streaking and possibly ready to be upset champions in Hockey East, you can only look forward to the final weekend of the season when the two will square off in a home-and-home series.
3. Is it time to bury Northeastern?
Trust me, I’m not trying to be a negative voice in the Hockey East world right now, but after Northeastern lost its 3rd and 4th straight league games this weekend and now sit alone in last place, you have to wonder if the postseason is now unattainable for the Huskies. Granted a final weekend series against Boston University, a team NU has beaten twice, shows some promise. But it’s totally possible that two wins in the final weekend may be too late for Northeastern if they hope to climb into eighth and make the playoffs.
