Predictions: Who will win the NEPSAC Large School semifinals?

The NEPSAC boys Large School quarterfinals are done and it's time for the semifinals.

That means it's time for some predictions.

For those keeping score, Jeff Cox went a perfect 4-0 on his Elite 8 quarterfinals predictions and 9-3 across the quarterfinals of the three boys tournaments. Evan Marinofsky went 3-1 in the Elite 8 quarterfinals and 8-4 across the three tournaments.

In other words, we just know the future. Do you want us to pick the winning lottery ticket? We're your guys. No way these predictions aren't perfect.

QUARTERFINALS PREDICTIONS: Elite 8 | Large School | Small School 

Here are our predictions for the Large School semifinals.

No. 5 Tabor at No. 1 Taft

Cox: Goaltending is an incredibly important part of hockey at all times of the season, but especially in the postseason. That’s why top-seeded Taft has a huge advantage in this matchup. Yale commit Rudy Guimond has proven to be one of the best goaltenders in prep school hockey this season. The Rhinos had a big 5-3 win over Kent in the quarterfinals and should carry that momentum into this matchup.

Despite floundering to the finish line and its top player out with an injury, Tabor was able to go on the road and defeat St. Sebastian’s in the quarterfinals. A great story has been the emergence of senior right wing Keanan Dewberry. He’s scored in six of the last eight games and has a six-game point streak. Against St. Sebastian’s, he scored twice and added an assist. Tabor’s only real advantage is on the blue line, but that might not be enough to take down a Guimond-led Taft squad.

Prediction: Taft advances to the championship game with a 3-1 win.

FULL SCHEDULES AND BRACKETS: Elite 8 | Large School | Small School 

Marinofsky: What an effort by Tabor to knock out No. 4 St. Sebastian's in the quarterfinals. Despite not having Jack DesRuisseaux (Manchester, N.H.), the Seawolves came together to earn a big, 6-3 win. Guimond, however, can stop anyone and I predict he stops Tabor on Saturday. Also, don't count out Taft forward Jackson Holl (Avon, Conn.). He notched three goals and a helper in the win over Kent and has nine points in his last three games.

Prediction: Taft wins, 4-2.

No. 3 Dexter Southfield at No. 2 Salisbury

Cox: Andrew Will has had Danny Donato’s number since the latter left Salisbury to take over at Dexter Southfield. Will’s Crimson Knights have knocked Dexter Southfield out of the last two Elite 8 tournaments, including a 4-0 win in the 2020 final.

Will this year be the one where Donato finally gets over the hump against his former team? Outside of a loss to Belmont Hill in the regular season finale, Dexter Southfield has been playing its best hockey of late. Junior center Cullen Emery has been hot with five goals in the last four, including a two-goal outing against NMH in the quarterfinals.

Salisbury is 7-0-2 over their last nine games and looking to make the most of a disappointing season. The Crimson Knights have the advantage on the blue line and in between the pipes. Two senior defensemen, Brown commit Alex Zakrzewski and Holy Cross recruit Quinn McCall, are in the top five on the team scoring chart.

ELITE 8 PREDICTIONS: Check out who we picked for the Elite 8 semifinals

Prediction: This should be a great game, but I see Salisbury staying on top of this series with a 4-3 win.

Marinofsky: All season long, Dexter has struggled for offense. But it played its best hockey down the stretch and exploded for six goals against Northfield Mount Hermon in the quarterfinals. There's a case to be made that Donato's team is starting to find itself. Salisbury also played its best hockey down the stretch. So, is this the year for Donato and Dexter to beat Salisbury? I say yes. Neither team has lived up to its expectations this season, but Dexter's defense plus its emerging offense will find a way to win on Saturday.

Prediction: Dexter wins, 5-3.