Maine 8, at Merrimack 1
  Black Bears leave no doubt in the second game of the weekend set, but
  this game was actually close through 2 periods at 3-0 until Maine blew
  it open in the 3rd.  PP/SH goals galore, as at even strength Maine out-
  scored MC 2-0 on the night (5 PPGs & 1 SHG, MC 1 SHG).  Referees lose
  control and result is 98 PIM on the night - 48 in last 7:02, as 14
  minors, two majors and one misconduct (no DQs) were issued.  Snow was
  outstanding in net to keep the Warriors off the board in the first two
  periods, and Doneghey again played superbly for MC, allowing only two
  goals at even strength.  Montgomery had 2-1--3, Kariya 0-1--1, Ingraham
  2-0--2, Tardif 2-1--3, Latendresse 1-2--3.  Box and words to come
  sometime Sunday night.  Crowd of 3,371 is 236 short of capacity and tops
  Fri's turnout which was a new MC record since joining HE - record is
  broken 24 hours later.  6,483 showed up this weekend.  Wow.
at BU 5, NU 3
  Huskies' loss means they are guaranteed to finish 8th and travel to
  Orono for the first round.  Terriers win 24th of the year and will host
  either MC or BC in first round.
at UNH 5, UMass-Lowell 2
  Wildcats clinch 3rd place and home ice with win, will host either MC or
  BC in first round.  Chiefs can finish 4th with win over MC next Saturday
  or if PC loses to BU next Friday; UML is guaranteed to play PC but site
  yet to be determined.
BC 4, at PC 4 (ot)
  Eagles are in 6th, one point ahead of MC.  If BC gets one point in
  final 2 games vs Maine & NU OR if MC does not beat Lowell, BC will finish
  6th.  (So, MC can finish 6th only if BC loses final 2 and MC beats Lowell,
  else MC finishes 7th and goes to BU.)  Friars are tied with UML in 4th,
  PC loses tiebreaker so they need to gain one more point than UML in last
  game of season for both teams (PC-BU Fri, UML-MC Sat) to host UML in
  series.
 
Playoff pairings are looking like:
#8 NU @ #1 Maine (set)
#7 MC @ #2 BU (not set)
  Alternative BC @ BU.
#6 BC @ #3 UNH (not set)
  Alternative MC @ UNH.
#5 PC @ #4 UML (not set)
  Alternative UML @ PC.
 
All that's yet to be decided are the battles for 4th-5th (UML-PC) and
6th-7th (BC-MC).  HE update Sun night will provide a recap of these along
with complete updated standings.
---
Mike Machnik    [log in to unmask]   Color Voice of the Merrimack Warriors
(Any opinions expressed above are strictly those of the poster.)    *HMN*