‘ The old clich’eacute; in sports is that on any given night, any team can beat any other team. The favorites have to be on their toes every night so as not to fall victim to the upset by the underdog. While a lot of this is just coach-speak, if there was ever an example of this being true it can be found in this year’s Hockey East Playoffs.
Looking at the matchups, it seemed logical that the top four seeds would advance to the semifinals with relatively little trouble. No. 1 Boston University entered the postseason as the nation’s top team and with the nation’s longest winning streak. No. 2 Northeastern nearly went wire-to-wire as the conference leader and had not lost back-to-back games all season. No. 3 New Hampshire finished the season strong and earned their way into a home-ice slot at the always sold-out Whittemore Center. No. 4 Vermont is near the top of the country in RPI rankings and nearly won last season’s Hockey East Championship. Many imagined it would be these teams playing at the TD Banknorth Garden next week.
The clich’eacute;s more than held true. Only Boston University and Northeastern managed to avoid elimination as New Hampshire and Vermont were swept by the No. 5 and No. 6 teams respectively, UMass-Lowell and Boston College. Both the top two teams needed a third and decisive game to escape upsets by No. 7 UMass and No. 8 Maine.
We at WRBB have talked extensively on our game broadcasts and on shows like Hockey East This Week and Dog Pound Sports Sound about how there are no easy games in this conference and that every point has to be earned. Hockey East is arguably the top conference in college hockey, not just in terms of the top teams but in overall conference depth. No other conference had more than one lower-seeded upset in the first round like Hockey East did. At the same time four teams from the conference are among the top 10 nationally in RPI.
‘ The upsets and performances from these underdogs are what make the’ playoffs and college sports in general so great. For these underdogs it is unlikely they will receive an at-large bid into the NCAA Tournament.
Every game from here on out literally becomes a must-win scenario. Propelled on by their teammates and their fans, the players lay it all on the line and look to do everything they can to prevent their seasons from ending. Teams that play with desperation are dangerous, and everyone saw that on the ice this weekend. ‘ ‘ ‘
No matter what team you root for you have to love the excitement and drama that the playoffs bring to the table. Games at Matthews Arena have been electric this year undoubtedly, but when the stakes are raised and more is on the line, the tension skyrockets. Overtime in the Sunday clincher was insane as the spectators held their breath for every shot and every save, knowing’ the next red light behind the goalie spelled the end for one team. Fortunately, the puck bounced NU’s way in the extra period.
So now we look ahead to the semi-finals on Friday when UMass-Lowell and Boston College will look to pull more stunners by defeating Boston’s two top teams. Obviously from a Husky fan’s perspective it would be best if one upset was avoided this weekend, but that remains to be seen. Northeastern did sweep the season series 3-0 from Lowell, but the playoffs are a whole new matter. Beware the threat of an upset in the playoffs.
For one weekend the old clich’eacute; emerged. Will it continue for another weekend? Nobody knows. That’s the beauty of the playoffs.
Enjoy the madness everybody.

Check out 104.9 FM or at www.wrbbradio.org‘ to hear all the action of your Huskies. Hockey coverage is against UMass-Lowell at 4:45 p.m. Friday in the Hockey East Semifinals at the TD Banknorth Garden

‘- Patrick McHugh can be reached’
at [email protected].