HE QF Preview

So here is a little Monday night preview of the Hockey East Conference Quarterfinals that begin this Thursday and continue through until Sunday night. I will include my predictions and do my best to give some unbiased analysis.

8 UMASS @ 1 BC (Fri, Sat, Sun)- UMASS dug out of a 3-0 deficit Saturday against Maine to sneak out PC for the last playoff spot by a point. They played BC tough twice two weekends ago and with a strong goaltender like senior Paul Dainton. BC is still simply too skilled for UMASS but I think UMASS finds a way to make it go 3.
Prediction- BC wins in 3 (4-0, 2-3,5-2)

7 UVM @ 2 UNH(Fri,Sat,Sun)- UNH is called the University of No Hardware for a reason...they choke in March year after year. This year's team has been no different but they do enough to get by UVM in 3 before getting killed at the Garden in the semis.
Prediction- UNH win in 3(4-3,3-4, 5-3)

6 NEU @ 3 BU(Thur,Fri,Sun)- This is a series sure to be filled with physical play and skirmishes after the whistle. BU freshman defenseman Garrett Noonan will be serving a suspension for the first game after receiving his third game misconduct against NU on Saturday. Coack Parker has said he will appeal the decision so it will be interesting to see if he or junior defenseman Dave Warsofsky will play(concussion). This series seems bound to go three as the teams always seem to play one goal games. This loss could force the Terrier to get to the final if not win the HE tournament to get into the NCAA tournament.
Prediction- BU wins in 3 ( 4-2, 2-3, 4-3).

5 Maine @ 4 Merrimack College(Fri,Sat,Sun)- This series should be filled with physical play as well as Merrihack will attempt to bait Maine into stupid penalties as they did when Maine swept them up at Alfond. Look for goon Kyle Bigos to be going full throttle and after Maine start Gustav Nyquist. This should be another interesting series...that Maine shocks the homecrowd with a win.
Prediction- Maine wins in 3( 7-3, 3-4, 5-2)

This would set up the following semifinal games

5 Maine vs 1 BC- A rematch of last year's HE tourny final should be a thrilled
3 BU vs 2 UNH- BU gets a team they matchup with well and is famous for choking so they have no excuses to no make it to the HE final for a fith matchup with BC in the final. More on this once it happens though.