Atlantic Hockey Playoffs 2005 - 2/25/05

February 25, 2005

Atlantic Hockey Playoffs 2005
View Playoff Release (PDF)

Who’s In First:

Quinnipiac became the fourth different team this season to claim first place in Atlantic Hockey with a win at home last night over Sacred Heart, 5-3, combined by a Holy Cross loss to Mercyhurst, 4-3. The Pioneers are the only team that can challenge Quinnipiac for sole possession of first on Saturday, while the best that Holy Cross could do is tie Quinnipiac for first with a win and a Bobcat loss. Canisius and Mercyhurst could both be eliminated from the race for first place if Quinnipiac wins AND both Canisius and Mercyhurst lose. If Canisius and Mercyhurst both tie, they could still share a portion of first place even if Quinnipiac is victorious over Sacred Heart.

Home Sweet Home:

Home ice has not been determined in Atlantic Hockey for the Quarterfinal round yet, as five teams are currently vying for four spots, and all five teams are separated by three points or less. Canisius is currently tied for fourth place with Mercyhurst, however Canisius has the tiebreaker over Mercyhurst after winning the season series, 2-0-1. Although two teams are eligible to secure home ice on Saturday, only one team will able to potentially do it. Both Quinnipiac and Sacred Heart have the opportunity to do it, however the two teams will play each other Saturday afternoon. If Quinnipiac gains one or more points Saturday AND Mercyhurst fails to gain any points, then the Bobcats will have home ice. If Quinnipiac gains two points Saturday AND Canisius fails to gain any points, Quinnipiac will obtain home ice in the Quarterfinals, irregardless of how Mercyhurst does. Sacred Heart will gain home ice Saturday with a win AND a Canisius loss. Connecticut can still finish in a three-way tie for fourth, but cannot qualify for home ice, as both Canisius and Mercyhurst hold the tiebreaker over UConn.

Playoff Format:

All nine Atlantic Hockey teams qualify for the postseason. The 8th seed will host the 9th seed in a play-in game for the Quarterfinals on Tuesday, March 8. The Quarterfinals are a single-game elimination round that occurs on Saturday, March 12, hosted by the top four teams in the league. The highest remaining seed after the Quarterfinal round will host the Semifinals and Atlantic Hockey Championship on March 18 and 19.