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Thursday, January 26, 2012

Boys' Hockey: Thursday and Friday's Top Games (1/26 and 1/27)

As the end of the week and Janurary creep up on us, there are still some fairly meaningful games left for the "off-days" in h/s hockey.

Cheshire @ Fairfield Prep @ 330pm
-A make-up of a game from last Saturday and I will echo the same sentiment from that write-up.  Cheshire is still searching for that big DI win and I think coming off their 4-0 win over Guilford yesterday helps them in terms of momentum (mentally) but hurts them physically.  They will be looking to catch the Jesuits on an off day but Prep knows this game is now an important SCC-DI match up that will be reflected on both teams' conference records, the only means by which the conference champion is chosen at the end of the season.

New Canaan @ Notre Dame-Fairfield @ 6
-I woudl define this game as how high will NC rise and how low will ND-F fall.  I read a quote from an ND-F player saying last Thursday's 1-5 loss to #2 Hamden was a good thing because it meant they were moving on from Marty Roos' resignation but the team only has three wins and has struggled against the state's top four and only come within two goals of my other top ten teams.  ND-F has the same problem every year of being talented (they beat defending DIII champion, Watertown/Pomeraug) but playing almost every single one of the traditionally top teams from the SCC, CCC and FCIAC.  They are in the SWC but no one in the SWC is in DI (anymore) so they have no conference schedule obligations.  The Lancers are in need of every win they can get if they want to make the state tournament this year and show that they have truly moved on from Roos.  New Canaan beat ND 3-2 in OT a month ago on 12/27 and has only lost one game since.  In fact, the defending FCIAC champs are 6-1-1 since their 0-2 start and all three losses and their one tie have been against top ten teams.  So now they get another quality test to prove just how good they are yet again this year.

Friday

#1 Fairfield Prep vs Boston College High @ 530pm @ Prudential Center (Newark, NJ)
-BC High is arguably the #1 or #2 team in MA although I believe the Boston Globe Rankings have them at #4.  Prep is hands down the best team in our state and as the defending DI Champions, they can best represent our state at the Jesuit Shootout in Newark, NJ.   Saint Perer's Prep in Jersey City will be hosting this tournament at their home ice, the AmeriHealth Pavilion at the Prudential Center in NJ (where the NJ Devils play).  I think I'm going to take the PATH ride over to this one and hope to have a full write-up for those unable to attend.  Two powerhouses going at it is a simple recipe for good hockey that needs no hyping; both teams' reputations precede them.

Guilford @ North Branford @ 830
-This is a huge game in DII as Guilford is 7-2 and N Branford is 7-4.  Therefore, not only is this game a battle between two of the divisions top programs but the winner also will officially qualify for the DII state tournament, becoming only the second team to do so.

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