Justin Braun (photo by Karen Winger)

Win and you’re in.  Almost.  That’s the scenario UMass has setup with their 5-2 win last night.  I can’t comment too much on the game itself since I was unable to follow it.  I love the fact that the Minutemen didn’t just come out and play ok, they seem to have dominated Maine from the get-go with a T.J. Syner goal just 52 seconds in helping them establish a 4-0 lead at one point.  After all that has happened this week, it’s great to see the team come together.  I’m also please to see that the defense had another good game and that Doug Kublin was back in the lineup.  He’ll be needed tonight and hopefully beyond.

Let’s get straight to the playoff scenarios.  UMass can finish anywhere from 6th to 9th at this point.

To finish 6th:
UMass beats Maine and
Providence beats Merrimack and
BU beats Northeastern

To finish 7th:
UMass beats Maine and
BU beats Northeastern
or
UMass beats Maine and
Lowell beats Vermont and
Providence beats Merrimack

To finish 8th:
UMass beats Maine and
Lowell beats Vermont
or
UMass beats Maine and
Providence beats Merrimack
or
Lowell beats Vermont
Northeastern beats BU

It is still possible for UMass to win tonight and not get in, due to the way mutli-team tiebreakers work.

Maine is likely not going to just roll over tonight.  First off, it’s Senior Night (though they have only a few seniors).  But more importantly, home ice is now on the line for Maine.  If they lose and BU and Lowell both win then the Black Bears will be on the road for the quarters.  I’m sure they’ll do everything they can to avoid that.  It should be a dogfight tonight in Alfond.

Fear The Triangle Player of the Game – Justin Braun
With the season on the line Justin Braun stepped up and notched two goals and an assist, finishing with a +4 on the night.  That’s exactly what you want to see from your captain.

Δ

Here’s how things looked for the Republican writer.

USCHO has a recap as well.

WABI has some video highlights.

Δ

Yesterday I mentioned Alex Berry was sent down to Reading in the ECHL.  Not entirely true.  He did play a game for the Royals because they were short on bodies but has already been recalled back to the Marlies.