It's time for some predictions.
As we all know, playoff hockey is as predictable as it gets.
This is my first foray into the whirlwind week-long spring that is the NEPSAC playoffs, and I can't wait to be 100 percent correct with my picks.
Remember, if I don't pick your team, you should take it personally. I say all of that sarcastically, of course. It's all in good fun.
The Small School quarterfinals, which begin Wednesday, are especially interesting to me. No. 1 Groton and No. 2 New Hampton are the favorites in the bracket, awaiting Wednesday's winners. But the quarterfinals could see some big upsets just as easily as the higher seeds could take care of business.
It wasn't easy to identify a clear-cut pick in each of these matchups. Let's dive in.
No. 3 Frederick Gunn vs. No. 6 Rivers
I struggled with this matchup.
We talk so much about how experience matters at this time of year, and Frederick Gunn has plenty of it. The Highlanders have 10 seniors and eight juniors on the roster. Meanwhile, Rivers is almost the complete opposite. The Red Wings have seven sophomores, six freshmen and two eighth-graders on the roster.
GIRLS PREVIEWS: Elite 8 Tournament | Large School Tournament | Small School Tournament
Rivers is the hotter team after a 6-1-1 finish to crack the tournament, while Gunn lost three of its last four. However, the latter is undefeated against tournament opponents this season.
Gunn is definitely deeper offensively, potentially a big edge for them. They have three skaters with over 20 points this season, including Bowdoin commit Bella Schifano (South Portland, Maine). Meanwhile, Rivers has none.
But the Red Wings have been better defensively, surrendering 1.70 goals per game, compared to 2.42 for the Highlanders. The biggest advantage Rivers has going for it is in net with Serafina Applegate (Lexington, Mass.). She's the key to a potential upset for the red-hot Red Wings.
Prediction:Â Rivers wins, 2-1.
No. 4 Millbrook vs. No. 5 Tilton
This game presented another tough call.
Millbrook has had some ups and downs in the second half of the season, and they're likely a better team than they've shown of late. Caleigh Murphy and Piper Smith have had terrific seasons, helping to give the Mustangs an edge offensively.
GIRLS BRACKETS: Elite 8 Tournament | Large School Tournament | Small School Tournament
Tilton is also better than it has been down the stretch. They went 1-4-1 in their last five, twice losing to Elite 8-bound St. Paul's. Defender Ava Decourcey (Rockland, Mass.) has been the heartbeat of a Rams attack that lacks the depth that Millbrook has.
But like Rivers, it's just so hard to ignore the edge Tilton has in goal. Sophomore goalie Evelyn Lacey (Braintree, Mass.) gives the Rams a distinct advantage. She has a .94 save percentage and a strong body of work this season. She's been tested plenty this season, facing the most shots (632) of any goalie in the field.
Prediction: Tilton wins, 3-2.
