{"id":96756,"date":"2011-03-11T16:59:43","date_gmt":"2011-03-11T22:59:43","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.uscho.com\/mens-d3-blog\/?p=1832"},"modified":"2011-03-11T16:59:43","modified_gmt":"2011-03-11T22:59:43","slug":"playoff-pics","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wwwproxy.uscho.com\/2011\/03\/11\/playoff-pics\/","title":{"rendered":"Playoff picks"},"content":{"rendered":"
We’ve turned to some of our D-III columnists to give their picks for the winner. We’ve turned to some of our D-III columnists to give their picks for the winner. Larry O’Connor – MIAC, MCHA, and NCHA columnist Hamline’s stunning 3-2 overtime win over Wisconsin-Superior Wednesday set the stage for an enthralling quarterfinal weekend for the remaining D-III West teams. The quarterfinal field is stacked with excellent teams, each one […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":29,"featured_media":140328,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[1425],"tags":[1469,1470],"coauthors":[],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n
\nLarry O’Connor – MIAC, MCHA, and NCHA columnist<\/strong>
\nHamline’s stunning 3-2 overtime win over Wisconsin-Superior Wednesday set the stage for an enthralling quarterfinal weekend for the remaining D-III West teams.
\nThe quarterfinal field is stacked with excellent teams, each one having a compelling backstory to accompany its ascension into the national picture. I see the potential for a number of things happening, namely a team from the DIII West region taking the crown.
\nAnd, no, it won’t be No. 1-ranked St. Norbert or No. 9 Hamline.
\nRather, I predict No. 5 Adrian winning its first-ever title after only being in business for four years.
\nHere’s why:
\nThe Bulldogs are deep upfront. With 121 points between them, Shawn Skelly (18 goals, 26 assists, 44 points), Eric Miller (18-25-43) and Zach Graham (14-20-34) form one of the most dynamic lines in D-III hockey.
\nShut down those three and that leaves Brad Houston (13-20-33) and Mike Dahlinger (12-21-33), who are not too shabby around the net either.
\nOn special teams, Adrian’s power play is a radioactive 44 of 143 for 30 percent, which is second to Bowdoin’s sterling 31 percent conversion rate. The Bulldogs’ penalty kill is a bullet proof 90 percent, which is tops in the nation.
\nAs evidenced in the 5-0 blanking of Marian in the Harris Cup final, the Bulldogs have the ability to neutralize opposition offenses.
\nIn Sabres’ Dakota Dubetz (15-34-49) and cohort Brendan Hull (22-21-43), the Bulldogs shutdown the nation’s third and eighth leading scorers respectively. Ron Fogarty’s team employed similar suffocating tactics in pivotal wins over then No. 5 Hamline, 4-1, Nov. 27; and then No. 8 Milwaukee School of Engineering, 3-1 and 3-1, Feb. 18-19.
\nThe Bulldogs’ seniors Quinn Waller, Jeremy Klaver, Eric Roman and Bobby Hineman comprise one of D-III’s best defensive quintets
\nIn goal, senior Brad Fogal is not flashy but solid. His numbers — 23-3-1 record, 2.10 goals-against, and .926 save-percentage — are comparable to D-III peers like St. Norbert’s B.J. O’Brien (19-2-1, 1.62 GAA., .930 save-pct.), Norwich’s Parker Carroll (13-0-2, 1.77 GAA, .900 save pct), and Oswego’s Paul Beckwith (18-2, 1.78 GAA, .935 save-pct.).
\nAdrian also did itself a favor, venturing east during the regular season, where the team went 2-1, beating Nichols and Buffalo State while losing to Manhattanville. The Bulldogs gained invaluable experience playing teams outside the D-III West region.
\nWhile compelling arguments can be made for No. 1-ranked St. Norbert, which grinds out wins at will; as well as for No. 2-ranked and SUNYAC powerhouse Oswego, who’s dominated during the regular season; the underdog – the Bulldog in this case — has it’s day.
\nAs such, I see things shaking out down like this in the quarterfinals:<\/strong>
\nAdrian over Elmira,
\nSt. Norbert over Hamline,
\nOswego over Bowdoin, and;
\nPlattsburgh over Norwich
\nIn the Semifinals:<\/strong>
\nAdrian over Oswego, and;
\nSt. Norbert over Plattsburgh St.
\nIn the Final:<\/strong>
\nAdrian over St. Norbert
\nTim Costello, NESCAC\/ECAC East correspondent<\/strong>
\nQuarterfinals<\/strong>
\nBowdoin over Oswego
\nElmira over Adrian
\nSt. Norbert over Wis.-Superior
\nNorwich over Plattsburgh
\nSemifinals<\/strong>
\nElmira over Bowdoin
\nNorwich over St. Norbert
\nFinals<\/strong>
\nNorwich over Elmira<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"