We’re past Thanksgiving, which means it’s OK to start looking at the PairWise rankings.
At least that’s what my friends say. Here’s some early analysis from the USCHO Weekend Review podcast as well as our Tuesday Morning Quarterback column.
If you follow Atlantic Hockey America, one quick peek is all you need. The highest-ranked AHA team is Bentley in 29th place. With the league’s dismal .242 winning percentage in non-conference games, it’s clear that for the 12th consecutive season, Atlantic Hockey will only send its playoff champion to the NCAA tournament.
That means the regular season takes on a larger role than for most other conferences because it’s all about getting the best seed possible in a winner-take-all postseason tournament to determine the lone NCAA tournament team.
Last weekend’s convincing 6-1, 4-1 Holy Cross sweep of Sacred Heart, the preseason coaches pick to win the league, could loom large for postseason seeding.
Bill Riga’s team had previously split a pair of 2-1 games with SHU, but only took 2 points in the series because the Crusaders’ win was in overtime. This sweep means Holy Cross took eight of twelve possible points from Sacred Heart this season.
“We had played twice before earlier and both were one-goal games,” said Riga. “We went through a stretch where we were kind of snakebit in terms of scoring.”
But the Crusaders have found their scoring touch recently, putting up 15 goals in their last three games, all victories.
The winning streak is indicative of the Crusaders playing their best hockey so far, but Riga says things started picking up in a Nov. 15-16 road series against Niagara, despite the results (3-3 tie and 3-2 loss).
“Even though we didn’t get the results, I liked the way we played in that series,” said Riga. “We’ve lost six games by a single goal so far, so I knew we were getting close.”
Senior forward Liam McLinskey scored three of Holy Cross’ five goals in the Niagara series and has stayed hot. The reigning player of the year in Atlantic Hockey had just two goals in his first nine games, but has scored at least one goal in his past seven contests and now has 10 goals and six assists to lead the team.
“Despite not scoring (early in the season), Liam has been our best player,” said Riga. “We knew his shooting percentage was going to improve, and it’s all about confidence. Sometimes you just need one to fall, an empty netter or a shot that goes in off a skate.”
It’s no coincidence that McLinskey getting hot has led to the Crusaders’ recent success.
“He takes the attention of the other team, allowing other guys to have more looks,” said Riga.
Junior forward Devin Phillips (11 points) and defenseman Mack Oliphant (12 points) are off to good starts.
“Devin Phillips has been awesome,” said Riga. “He was injured most of last year. We could tell when he wasn’t in the lineup. He’s scoring but also blocking shots and doing the little things.
“Mack Oliphant has been, day in and day out, one of our top defensemen.”
In net, senior Thomas Gale (2.51 GAA, .919 SV%) has played every minute so far.
“I’ve never been one to start multiple guys (in a rotation),” said Riga.
“He’s one of our best players. Why would I take him out? That said, I like our other two goaltenders and will be looking for opportunities to get them experience.”
Holy Cross travels to American International this weekend for a pair of matinée games. The teams split a series a month ago.
“They found a way to score a goal in the last minute to beat us,” said Riga. “With what they’re going through, it will be interesting to know where their heads are dealing with all this. Looking at them on tape, they seem motivated. They’re letting it all hang out. They have, can, and will be a tough team to play against.”
After that, the Crusaders will be on break until the new year, then play Long Island on December 31 before traveling to Palm Springs, Calif., for the inaugural Coachella Valley Classic Tournament on Jan. 3-4. Omaha, Michigan Tech, and UMass Lowell are the other participants.
“The same company (Oak View Group ) that runs that building (Acrisure Arena) also runs Lowell’s,” said Riga. “(Lowell coach) Norm Bazin and I went to Lowell together and he extended the invitation. It’s a chance to play some teams that we normally don’t see.
“And California in January sounds like a great experience for our players.”
