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Last season something neat kind of happened. The NECHL was strong enough, top to bottom, to place two teams in the NECHL championship. Niagara won the league regular season title and UB's ranking was just enough to grab the final at large spot in the tournament.
| TEAM | GP | W | L | OTL | PTS | G DIFF |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #25 Syracuse | 8 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 13 | 13 |
| #21 Buffalo | 7 | 6 | 1 | 12 | 16 | |
| #23 Niagara | 8 | 5 | 3 | 10 | 6 | |
| Cortland | 7 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 5 | -18 |
| Oswego | 6 | 2 | 4 | 4 | -7 | |
| Canisius | 8 | 1 | 5 | 2 | 4 | -10 |
This year the league probably is not strong enough to send an at large squad to the tournament. There is a lot of dead weight at the bottom of the league holding it down.
So the sole team to represent the NECHL will be Buffalo, Niagara, or Syracuse.
Despite being a point behind Syracuse the Bulls have the advantage of beating the Orange twice this season. Once 4-1 in Buffalo and then last weekend the Bulls won 2-1 in a shootout.
UB also still has three games remaining where as both the Purps and Orage have just two. Of the three UB is the only team that controls their own destiny. If UB wins out then they will be heading to Robert Morris for nationals. If they drop a single game they are going to need help.
| NECHL Games Remaining | ||
|---|---|---|
| UB | Niagara | Syracuse |
| vs Niagara | at UB | at Oswego |
| vs Cortland | at Oswego | at Cortland |
| at Oswego | ||
Niagara is first up and, on paper, the biggest hurdle UB will face. They are the only team who has beaten the Bulls in league play this season, a 5-3 affair at Niagara's home rink. Tonight at 7:30 the Bulls will try to avenge that loss and keep the inside track in their bid for a return to nationals.
As always UB games are free to students (bring your student ID) and 5$ for non students.