The playoff weekend that was in Division 3 had something for everyone.
For fans of chalk picks, there was top-seeded Endicott and second-seeded Curry handling their semifinal business to set up an anticipated championship game in the Commonwealth Coast Conference.
For fans of mayhem, there were three road teams – and almost a fourth – winning one-goal thrillers in the NESCAC quarterfinals to set up a crazy final weekend.
Here are our top takeaways from the D-3 conference tournaments and a look ahead to championship weekend.
Editor's note: The schedule has been updated with Tuesday's weather-related postponements.
COMMONWEALTH COAST
Championship: No. 2 Curry at No. 1 Endicott, Saturday (2 p.m.)
The haul for Bowes, a UConn transfer, gives him 11 goals on the season, tied for third-most on the team.
It’s the first time the Gulls (21-2-2) allowed more than three goals in a game all season and it wasn’t sealed until Noah Strawn (Wareham, Mass.) scored on the doorstep with just 90 seconds left in regulation.
Curry’s 5-1 semifinal win over the University of New England was more routine. It got goals from four different players – including an end-to-end rush from defenseman Nick Favaro to open the scoring – and 30 saves from goalie Reid Cooper to move it to 21-4-1.
The head-to-head series between the two teams could not have been more competitive this season: a 2-2 tie, a 2-1 Endicott win and a 3-2 Curry win.
NESCAC
Semifinals (hosted by Amherst), Saturday: No. 8 Williams at No. 3 Amherst (3:30 p.m.); No. 7 Bowdoin vs. No. 5 Colby (noon)
Championship (hosted by Amherst): Sunday (2 p.m.)
The afternoon started with Bowdoin shocking No. 2 Trinity, 2-1, in overtime on veteran Chris Brown’s (Worcester, Mass.) one-timer four minutes into the extra session.
A little bit later it was Williams completing a stunning comeback at No. 1 Wesleyan, scoring four times in the final 12 minutes to earn a 4-3 win. Senior Mac Carso scored two of those goals and junior Jonah Gold potted the winner with 50 seconds left.
Colby kept the fun going into the evening, getting 33 saves from Andy Beran and the game-winning goal midway through the sudden death period by freshman defenseman Dan Juzych to knock off fourth-seeded Hamilton, 3-2.
Playing in the final quarterfinal of the night, and knowing a win would keep it on home ice the rest of the way. Amherst got 37 saves from senior Dan Dachille and two goals — including the game-winner at the end of overtime – from freshman Zachary Murray in a 3-2 win over sixth-seeded Tufts.
NEHC
Championship: No. 3 Babson at No. 1 Hobart, Saturday (7 p.m.)
While Norwich waits to see whether its 19-6-2 record is good enough for a Pool C berth to the 12-team NCAA tournament, the Beavers will get a crack at top-seeded Hobart (25-2), which got 26 saves from its freshman goalie – named, ironically, Damon Beaver – to edge Skidmore, 1-0.
The teams played twice during the regular season, with Hobart winning both games by 4-1 scores.
MASCAC
Semifinals, Wednesday: No. 6 Salem State at No. 2 Worcester State (2:30 p.m.); No. 4 Westfield State at No. 1 Plymouth State (7 p.m.)
Championship: Saturday (TBA)
For the second year in a row, Salem saved some good work for the playoffs. Erik Larsson scored one goal and set up two others in the Vikings’ 6-2 win at No. 3 Fitchburg State to earn it a date at second-seeded Worcester State (13-11-1).
Westfield got 45 saves from Valtteri Valtonen and the go-ahead goal from JoJo Carbone (Marshfield, Mass.) with under 10 minutes to go in its 5-3 win over fifth-seeded UMass Dartmouth.
The Owls will face top-seeded Plymouth State (21-3-1), which has beaten them three times this season by an aggregate count of 17-4.
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