Grace Morin and Loomis Chaffee could be ready to compete in the women's Elite 8. (Patrick Donnelly/NEHJ)
NEPSAC will announce the Elite 8 Tournament berths for men's and women's prep hockey in less than a week.
With only a few crucial games remaining in the regular season, several teams are making a final push to make it to the Elite 8 or solidify their position as top seeds in large and small school tournaments. Masu.
Meanwhile, teams aiming to make the Elite Eight, whether it's the boys' teams of Kimball Union and Cushing or the girls' teams of Nobles and Williston, will look to maintain their momentum heading into the postseason.
New England Hockey Journal Editor Evan Malinowski and the writer Patrick Donnelly We predicted both the men's and women's Elite 8 tournaments. They evaluated the current top eight teams and the other teams in the bubble.
Which lesser-known team has a chance to advance to the women's side?
Donnelly: “I think Loomis Chaffee is for sure. They beat Andover in the Odden Tournament this year. They have other really quality wins, whether it be Westminster, Tabor, Kent. They proved to be probably the best of the second group that we've talked about all season. And even with the loss to Deerfield, it was a close 2-1. also beat Choate. So I think Loomis is probably the best offensive player this season, the deepest in terms of track record alone, but probably the best player.
rest. “
Which team will be making noise in the Men's Elite 8?
Malinowski: “I've talked a lot about St. George's as a team and I think it might cause some noise. We're scheduled to open today against Cushing in the Elite Eight. I think St. George's will be a tough battle. Rider Shay He's a great goalkeeper and has something to prove. He had a down year last year and St. George's had a really down year overall last year. They're a big team, and I think in a playoff-like atmosphere where you lose one game, sometimes those big teams can wreak havoc. I wouldn't be shocked if St. George's upset a team in the first round. When Ryder Shea gets hot, they move the puck well. I've mentioned this before so I don't want to repeat it, but to me they are a bottom-tier Elite 8 sleeper team. ”
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