HE QF Preview

Officially the HE QF's start tomorrow with PC @ Lowell due to an event at Tsongas on Saturday so here is my full preview of all 4 QF series coming up this weekend. These teams all got here different ways whether it be BC,BU and UML who have clinched a playoff spot for weeks or UMass who did not clinch until Friday night. All 4 series should be interesting and hopefully competitive as all 8 of these teams have had bright moments throughout the season.

#1 Boston College vs. #8 UMass (Friday,Saturday, Sunday)

This is an interesting matchup because UMass has already taken 2 this year from BC. Both of these wins were, however, at the Mullins Center and not at Conte Forum as this weekend's games are. BC has also knocked UMass out of the HE QF's in the past 2 seasons. Hopefully the third time is the charm for the Minutemen. UMass comes into this series with little to lose and everything to gain while BC looks to win their 3rd straight HE Tournament Title.

Prediction: BC wins in 3 (4-2, 2-4, 5-2)

#2 UML vs.  #7 PC (Thursday, Friday, Sunday)

PC just got destroyed by Lowell this weekend so this series shouldn't go PC's way but crazier things have happened. It is very tough to beat the same team 4 out of 5 times no matter how bad they are. PC get's their leading scorer Tim Schaller back for the series and he should provide a big boost for their "offense".

Prediction: UML wins in 3 (5-1, 1-2OT, 4-2)

#3 BU vs. #6 UNH ( Friday, Saturday, Sunday)

This is the only series where the higher seed has swept the lower seed in the regular season series. BU hosts the University of No Hardware to make it BU's 9th straight year playing a different team in the QF. They have now played each of the other teams in the conference in the last 9 years. It will be a tough series as UNH has started to play well with freshman goalie Casey DeSmith really playing well lately. He will face a Terrier team that has not struggled scoring as of late scoring 4,5,3,and 5 goals in their last 4 games and average 3.59 goals a game.

Prediction: BU in 2 (4-2, 3-2OT)

#4 Maine vs. #5 Merrimack

- Merrimack heads into Alfond to possibly end their season where it started back in October. Merrimack skated to a 2-1 win back in October and unless they take 2 out of 3 this weekend, they will likely miss out on the NCAA tournament. Maine is likely in aslong as they win atleast 1 game but they certainly want to atleast get to the Garden before heading to the NCAA's.

Prediction: Maine in 3 (4-2, 1-2, 4-1)