Hockey East exam time
Postseason tests reveal much
The 34th annual Hockey East tournament swung into action last night with a game between No.9 Vermont and host No. 8 UMass.
The Minutemen are hosting in a series for the first time since 2007 while the Catamounts hoped to advance to the best-of-three quarterfinal round for a fifth straight year. UMass prevailed, 3-2, in overtime last night over the Catamounts to claim a 1-0 lead in the series.
Meanwhile, the top five seeds — Boston College, Northeastern, Providence, Boston University and UConn — gained firstround byes and home ice while they await quarterfinal opponents.
Here’s a look at how the first-round shapes up:
• No. 10 Merrimack at No. 7 UMass-Lowell
The defending champion River Hawks (17-17-0) have no ties this season, which shows they play full tilt to the final buzzer. This series marks the first time since 1994 that the two longtime rivals have met in the playoffs.
UML swept that series as current River Hawks coach Norm Bazin was still in uniform and had three goals in the series.
Last week, Merrimack beat Lowell, 4-1, in North Andover before losing, 5-0, at the Tsongas Center.
Four of the last five Hockey East playoff MVPs have worn UML colors: C.J. Smith (2017), Kevin Boyle (2016) and Connor Hellebucyk (2013 and 2014) as the River Hawks have won three of the last five titles.
“Special teams is one way where you can make a difference when it comes to the tournament. We’re going to have to play a very disciplined style,” said Bazin, who has drawn excellent play from forwards Ryan Lohin (9-16-25) and Ryan Dmowski (11-11-22). “I think depth is our rock this year.”
Merrimack (10-19-4) is led by center Brett Seney, who has four straight 25-point seasons.
“I think the key is patience. You have to have incredible patience when you play UMass-Lowell. If you blink first, you’ll find you are going to be on the wrong side of the puck and chasing the game, and if you’re chasing, you’re not going to be in a good position,” said Warriors coach Mark Dennehy, who took Merrimack to the 2011 title game before losing to BC.
• No.11 New Hampshire at No. 6 Maine
This series warrants attention for a couple of reasons. Maine’s sixth-place finish is its highest since 2013-14. The Black Bears (16-14-4) have shown plenty of pizzazz in front of unflappable freshman goaltender Jeremy Swayman.
As for UNH (10-18-6), the Wildcats would dearly like to hand retiring coach Dick Umile a series victory before he hands off the coaching reins to former pupil Mike Sousa.
UNH senior Daniel Tirrone, the Wildcats’ career leader in saves with 3,552, has more than a dozen playoff appearances under his mask.
“I’d like to think that we improved our game throughout the season. There’s always going to be ups and downs, as you know, but I think our team is well prepared for this series,” said Maine coach Red Gendron. “I think we have a team that works hard, competes like crazy, and has shown an ability to persevere.”
Umile has a star in the making in freshman defenseman Max Gildon. But the longtime coach said the Wildcats have to be ready from the get-go.
“It’s a great atmosphere up there at Alfond (Arena). It’s not a big ice sheet. Everything happens quickly,” said Umile, whose Wildcats have not scored in the last 170:38, covering portions of three games. “We’re not shooting enough. We’ve had plenty of opportunities to score. That’s been our handicap all season.”