Three things from the weekend in Atlantic Hockey:
Bonus hockey
It was a wild Saturday night in Atlantic Hockey, with four of five conference games going to overtime, the first time we’ve had four OTs in a single day since Jan. 20, 2016.
Two of the games ended in ties, while the other pair saw a winner emerge.
Army West Point completed a sweep of Niagara in thrilling fashion as Conor Andrle got the game winner with 41 seconds left in overtime. That completed a comeback that saw the Black Knights erase a two-goal deficit and go on to a 5-4 win. Army West Point was the only AHC team to earn four points this past weekend, vaulting into third place in the standings.
Rochester Institute of Technology was able to earn a split in its series with Holy Cross. Adam Brubacher’s power play goal 1:08 into the extra session gave the Tigers a 2-1 victory. The Crusaders had won Friday’s contest 4-0, and the split allowed Holy Cross to maintain a two point lead over RIT in the standings. The Crusaders reside in fifth place while the Tigers are tied with Mercyhurst for sixth.
Half a dozen goose eggs
Two goalies posted their sixth career shutouts on Friday. Air Force sophomore Shane Starrett stopped all 17 shots he faced in a 5-0 win over American International. It was his second shutout of the season to go with four he earned last season.
Holy Cross keeper Paul Berrafato made 27 stops in a 4-0 Crusaders win at RIT. The junior has three so far this season and half dozen overall.
Bentley rookie goaltender Aiden Pelino also posted a shutout on Friday, a 3-0 blanking of Robert Morris. It was the first shutout of his career.
Coming into focus
With another weekend in the books, teams have between three or four games remaining in the regular season. Here’s where they stand:
Canisius: The Golden Griffins have clinched a bye and a home playoff series. They can finish no lower than third place.
Air Force: The Falcons also have clinched a bye and a home quarterfinal series. Air Force also can finish no worse than third.
Army West Point: Army West Point has the largest range of possibilities remaining. The Black Knights can end the season anywhere from first to eighth. They’ve clinched at least a home first-round series.
Robert Morris: The Colonials gained just one point this past weekend, ending their bid to three-peat as regular season champions. RMU will finish between third and eighth, also locking in at least a home first-round series.
Holy Cross: The Crusaders are clinging to the the final first round bye. They will end the season between third and ninth.
Mercyhurst: Mercyhurst can also finish between third and ninth.
RIT: See Mercyhurst.
Bentley: See RIT and Mercyhurst.
Sacred Heart: The Pioneers still have a chance at a bye, looking at between a fourth and 10th place finish.
American International: AIC will be on the road in the first round of the playoffs. The Yellow Jackets are looking at either ninth or 10th place.
Niagara: The Purple Eagles are the only team locked into a position in the final standings. They can do no better than last.
