GET READY FOR SOME GREAT D-3 HOCKEY !

There is a fine line between the top D3 Men's Hockey colleges and D1 hockey. In fact I am convinced that many of the top D3 schools could give many D1 schools a run for their money, if not beat them. Just an opinion. In D3 Men's Hockey the final rankings for the 2015-16 Season were as follows:

1) University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point (2016 National Champions)

2) St. Norbert

3) UMass - Boston

4) Adrian

5) SUNY Geneseo

6) Hobart

7) Trinity

8) Williams

9) Plattsburgh State

10) Babson

The D3 hockey powerhouses over the last 11 years have been St. Norbert's with 4 National Championships and 3 Runner-Ups; Wisconsin - Stevens Pont with 1 National Championship and 2 Runner-Ups; Oswego State with 1 National Championship and 2 Runner-Ups; and Middlebury with 1 National Championship and 1 Runner-Up. (Runner-Up means they finished 2nd in the nation, losing to the winner in the Frozen Four National Championship)

I am sure that all the ranked teams and those mentioned above will be in the hunt for a National Championship at the conclusion of the 2016 - 17 Season, but the competition will be keen and it won't be easy. There will be other very good teams pushing for a National Title, as well. If you look at the regular seasons of the teams above, many were challenged and beaten by good teams within their conference. Last season, a team on the rise that provided some surprises and excitement was UMass Boston. In fact their Frozen Four semi-final game against St. Norbert has been called the "wildest game in D3 NCAA history". We will get to this in a moment.

UMass Boston is coached by Peter Belisle, who will be entering his 11th season this year. He won a couple of prestigious coaching awards last year and he has UMass on a steady path of improvement. In the post season last year UMass entered the NCAA Tournament by winning their New England Hockey Conference Tournament by defeating Southern Maine 4-0; University of New England 6-3, and then a tough overtime 3-2 win over Babson. It didn't get any easier in the NCAA Tournament. Their first game out of the gate was against a very good Trinity team, who won the National Championship the previous year and were heavily favored. I had the opportunity to see this game in Hartford, CT and I would call the game a shocker. To win was one thing, but to win 4-0 against the National Champion was a "statement"...UMass was pretty darn good! The 2nd game was against the 2nd ranked team in the nation, Hobart. They won this one 2-0 to propel themselves into the Frozen Four at Lake Placid.

The semi-final game was against St. Norbert...look above. Four (4) National Championships and 3 Runner-Ups over the last 11 years. No way! UMass jumped to a 3-0 lead in the first period...a mini shocker! St. Norbert came roaring back to score a goal at the very end with less than a second left in the first period, and then 6 straight goals in the 2nd period for a 7-3 lead going into the final period. Game over ! ...so everybody thought (including me). But wait a minute, what we didn't count on is that UMass was a very good team, they don't quit, and they were in great shape. They came back with 4 goals for a 7-7 tie at end of regulation. You could hardly catch your breath...again...shocking! First overtime no score, still 7-7. Second overtime and with 3:49 into the OT, St. Norbert scored on a break-away for the win on a somewhat controversial goal, but a win. This is why this game has been called the "wildest game in D3 NCAA history".

UMass Boston Sr. Frankie DeAugustine

NCAA Game v. Trinity in 4-0 Win
(Photo by Alfredo)

Looking forward to a great D3 hockey season this year with all the teams above participating and many more very good teams. 

Alfredo DiLascia
Image News Service