Small School
#5 Berkshire at #1 Holderness: Both these teams had no trouble finding the back of the net in round one. Holderness scored nine, and Berkshire was able to put five up. AJ Jones had a big game, one goal and three assists. Six players stood out for Berkshire with two or more points. The game winner went to Carter Johnson, and Alex Kim was perfect in goal. These teams will face off for the first time this year, both eyeing a trip to the championship. Expect a high-scoring game. NZ Predicts: 60% Berkshire
#3 Canterbury at #2 Winchendon: Charlie Puglisi and Jackson Smail had big games as expected against New Hampton. For Canterbury, Cody Hew was strong in the net against St. Georges and Gino LaRusso and Jack Mceleney were able to grab two points in that game. These teams last faced off on February 1st, and we had a scout in the stands who saw Winchendon win 8-2 on a Sunday afternoon. This game will be closer, but we expect the same winner. NZ Predicts: 100% Winchendon
Large School
#4 Brunswick at #1 Tabor: Tabor played in a close 2-1 game with Choate that saw a ton of shots from both squads. Owen Carter grabbed two points, and Vincenzo D’Urso grabbed the win in goal. Brunswick also won 2-1 against Thayer. Neither of these teams have played each other this year, and we predict yet another low-scoring game. NZ Predicts: 80% Tabor
#3 Phillips Andover at #2 Cushing: Edouard Lord saves 31, Michael Barrett had two goals and three points, and defender Jack O’Dell had a three-point night against St. Paul’s. Cushing wins in a closer matchup where Sebastian Mogull scores twice, with one being the OT winner. These teams played back on February 18th, and we had a scout in the stands who saw great goaltending from Mason Raycroft and Lord. We predict another close game if both goalies play up to their potential. NZ Predicts: Split Decision
Elite 8
#8 Avon Old Farms at #5 Hotchkiss: Avon beats the one seed, Dexter. Great performance from Ethan Gingeleskie and Maksim Yakub, who both got three points in the 4-2 win. Hotchkiss shuts out St. Sebastian’s, and yet another perfect performance from Neilan Johnson. These teams last played on January 14th, when Avon was able to score three and win 3-1. That game was played at Avon; this one is at Hotchkiss. NZ Predicts: 60% Hotchkiss
#6 Kimball Union at #2 St. Mark’s: Kimball played a great and suspenseful game against Salisbury, winning 1-0 with a goal from Dawson Wood. St. Mark’s beat Belmont Hill in a 7-2 win. Evan Nee scored two goals, and the Lions are now faced with a very good six seed in Kimball Union. St. Mark’s has proved all year that they can score and create offense. Kimball Union not as much, but can still score, and they keep the puck out well. This should be a great game and the top game across all the semi-finals. NZ Predicts: Split Decision
Photo Credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images