Neutral Zone staff breaks down the Small School playoff matchups, the key players, provides some background information and even predictions on all the tournament quarterfinal games.
#1 St. Mark’s vs. #8 Pomfret
The Matchup: St. Mark’s comes into the playoff playing their best hocking going 9-2-0 in thier last 11 games while Pomfret is limping into the playoffs going 3-7-3 in their last 13 games. St. Mark’s has had a pretty impressive run this season only losing 4 games and averaging just shy of 5 goals per game. However, they have had a weaker strength of schedule of any playoff team and their record in those games is 3-3-0 with two of those wins coming against rival Groton School. Pomfret has played 12 games this season against playoff teams but their record is 3-9-0 which doesn’t bode well for them playing the top team in the opening round. Both teams are a little top heavy in their rosters but Pomfret has an older group who plays hard and can win either a skill game or a physical game. While they haven’t played eachother their record against common teams favors St. Mark’s.
Players to Watch: Ian Moore (St. Marks) – Harvard Commit, Danny Ciccarello (St. Mark’s), Brendan Gibbons (St. Mark’s), Trevor O’Brien (St. Mark’s), Dominic Murphy (St. Mark’s), Tucker Hartmann (St. Mark’s), Jackson Coutu (St. Mark’s), Kyle Tomaso (Pomfret) – Trinity Commit, Jake Hughes (Pomfret), Tyler Bourque (Pomfret), Matt Lakus (Pomfret), Sami Hakkarainen (Pomfret)
Predictions: (4-0 St. Mark’s)
Winner: St. Mark’s
“I’ve seen them play their rival Groton two times this season and when the game was on the line and the team was under pressure they previaled. They’ll do the same here.” – Murph
Winner: St. Mark’s
“It’ll be closer than you would think for a 1 v 8 game because Pomfret is an older team and can beat you in a lot of different ways but the top line for St. Mark’s will be too much for them to handle and Pomfret isn’t playing their best hockey as of late.” – Brendan
Winner: St. Mark’s
“St. Mark’s all day. Their defensive group is too good. They seem to be trending up and Pomfret seems to be trending down.” – Ian
Winner: St. Mark’s
“Close game, Pomfret has deceptive depth and plays hard but St. Mark’s has one of the better blue lines in the league and that will be the difference.” – Ed
#2 Millbrook vs. #7 Rivers
The Matchup: These are two teams who are trending in the right direction as they head into the playoffs. Millbrook has finished the regular season with a 9-2-1 record in their last 12 games and Rivers has finished the season with a 6-3-1 record in their last 10. However, the biggest difference here is how they have performed against playoff bound teams; Millbrook is 5-8-1 and Rivers is 1-8-0; so not only has Millbrook had a tougher strength of schedule but they’ve played better against those tougher opponents. They also bring a different style; Millbrook has good depth up front, they can score as evidenced by their 131 goals on the season and they pressure the puck. Rivers is more defensviely structured giving up just 59 goals against which is the best of any Small School team this season. The game will be played at Berkshire and if it’s on the big sheet then it probably plays to Millbrooks strength as a faster and more open ice type team than Rivers who is more disciplined and conservative. Rivers and Millbrook matched up midway through the season and Millbrook won the game 2-0.
Players to Watch: Jake Percival (Millbrook), Niko Rexine (Millbrook), Andrew Kimball (Millbrook), Shane Albert (Millbrook), Bauer Morrissey (Millbrook), Zach Bookman (Millbrook), Philip Tresca (Rivers) – Yale Commit, Matt Cormier (Rivers), Pat Lawn (Rivers) – Bentley Commit, Ziv Deener-Chodriker (Rivers), Will Conway (Rivers), Michael McEachern (Rivers), Ollie Chessler (Rivers), Connor Sullivan (Rivers)
Predictions: (3-1 St. Millbrook)
Winner: Millbrook
“Millbrook is big, they are tough to play against, they can score and have 19 upper classmen on the roster. That’s the difference in this one.” – Ed
Winner: Millbrook
“This one is a toss-up; I like both teams, both well coached, Millbrook is harder and stronger, Rivers is a little faster and more skilled. I’ll take Millbrook but only slightly.” – Murph
Winner: Millbroook
“Rivers hasn’t proven they can beat playoff teams with just 1 win in 9 games; I’ll take Millbrook despite not seeing them this year for that fact alone.” – Brendan
Winner: Rivers
“Rivers is finally getting healthy now, their young defense and goaltender have matured throughout the season and they are poised for the upset.” – Ian
#3 New Hampton vs. #6 Gunnery
The Matchup: From a pure talent standpoint this is likely the best game in the Small School; Gunnery has several high end prospects and New Hampton has one of the years leading point getters. Both teams are similar in that they are fast, tough and deep. Gunnery has the advantage in that they have more talent up front and can roll 3 lines easier but New Hampton has scored 151 goals this season which is second in the league. Neither team has been able to hold opponents off the score sheet but New Hampton was 8-2-2 heading into the playoffs before losing back to back Lakes Region playoff games against Tilton and KUA. Gunnery on the other hand has falled to 3-6-2 in their last 11 games. Against playoff bound teams New Hampton is 3-9-2 while Gunnery is 5-9-2. Expect a high scoring, exciting game with plenty of talent on display.
Players to Watch: Marcus Joughin (New Hampton) – Sacred Heart Commit, Isaac MacLeod (New Hampton) – Dartmouth College, Cole Hipkin (New Hampton) – St. Lawrence Commit, Ryan Mahlmeister (New Hampton), Jack Ring (New Hampton), Will Hilfiker (New Hampton), Adam Shuchart (New Hampton), Alex Luff (Gunnery), Mark D’Agostino (Gunnery) – UCONN Commit, Dane Dowiak (Gunnery) – Penn State Commit, Alex Jefferies (Gunnery) – Merrimack Commit, David Andreychuk (Gunnery) – St. Lawrence Commit, Daniel Sambuco (Gunnery) – Providence Commit, Eric Charpentier (Gunnery), Jeff Kopek (Gunnery), Hunter Rossi (Gunnery), Matteo Giampa (Gunnery), Michael Casey (Gunnery)
Predictions: (2-2 Tie)
Winner: New Hampton
“The Huskies are playing like a team, they work for everything they get and have a few guys who can bury it. They look to be playing their best hockey at the right time while Gunnery seems to be limping into the playoffs” – Ian
Winner: New Hampton
“New Hampton can score goals as good as anyone, they are tough to play against, they have some size, some older guys and they are strong on pucks. They won’t be intimdated by Gunnery’s talent and will take it to them.” – Murph
Winner: Gunnery
“I’ve only seen both teams once this season but it’s hard to pass on Gunnery given how talented their roster has been. They have struggled at times this season but have one of the toughest schedules in the league. I like their chances here.” – Ed
Winner: Gunnery
“When Gunnery is hot, they can beat anyone in the league. They have lacked discipline this season but from a pure talent standpoint and depth Gunnery should win this game handedly.” – Brendan
#4 Groton vs. #5 Tilton
The Matchup: Groton is an intersting team, they have only played 6 games against playoff bound teams but have an even 3-3-0 record including an impressive win against Cushing. They are firing on all cylinders heading into the playoffs going 12-2-0 in their list 14 games. Tilton on the other hand was a bit shaky to start out the season but has gone 11-1-4 in their last 16 games including impressive wins over New Hampton and Proctor to win the Lakes Region Finals. Both rosters are on the older side; Tilton returns a lot from last years Small School Championship team and Groton also has a solid nucleus of returning talent. The worry for Tilton is there 2-3-2 record against playoff bound teams while Groton is 3-3 with 2 of their losses coming against top ranked St. Mark’s. Both teams are well coached and play a hard two-way game; Tilton has a little more skill, speed and grit while Groton has more defensive structure and more consistency.
Players to Watch: Luke Beckstein (Groton), Marc Borghi (Groton), Ronan Doherty (Groton), Thomas Dempsey (Groton), Wes Turner (Groton), Max Noll (Groton), Jack Seymour (Tilton), Max Cocchi (Tilton), Jamie Cates (Tilton), Mike Tersoni (Tilton), Jagger Benson (Tilton) – Vermont Commit, Brett Lockhart (Tilton)
Predictions: (2-2 Tie)
Winner: Groton
“Groton doesn’t have an obvious hole in their game; they are talented in net, they have depth on the blue line able to break pucks out and defend in their end and forwards who all bring something different to the table. Tilton could also be tired coming off back to back games in Lakes Region playoffs” – Ed
Winner: Groton
“Very evenly matched teams, they play a little different but it’s going to be a great game. I have it down as a pick-em so I’ll go with the home team here; Groton wins in a tight one.” – Ian
Winner: Tilton
“Tilton has a lot coming back from last years championship team; they are fast, aggressive, tough to hande and deep at all positions. They are playing great hockey down the stretch and their ability to roll 3 lines and be in Groton’s face all night will be too much for them to overcome. ” – Brendan
Winner: Tilton
“Tilton has a strong core; they are an older team and they are relentless all game. They won the Small School last year, they won the Lakes Region this year; this is a team who knows how to win and they’ll do it again here on the road.” – Murph
Photo Credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images
