The 2026 NCDC Dineen Cup Playoffs continued on April 9 with the Atlantic Division Final getting underway and the New England Conference Round Robin opening play. P.A.L. Junior Islanders struck first in their series with an overtime win, while the South Shore Kings stayed red-hot, extending their unbeaten playoff run and taking an early lead in the Round Robin standings.
P.A.L. Jr. Islanders 3, Jersey Hitmen 2 (OT)
P.A.L. leads Atlantic Division Finals 1-0
The Atlantic Division Final opened with overtime drama as P.A.L. struck late to take Game 1. After a scoreless first, P.A.L. built a 2-1 lead in the second on goals by Nico Bromley and Michael Papaspyros. Jersey answered in the third with Max Rutkowski to force overtime, but Eric He played hero at 19:20 of OT to seal the 3-2 win.
P.A.L. outshot Jersey 33-39 in a tight, back-and-forth battle and now holds the early edge in the series.
South Shore Kings 4, Lewiston MAINEiacs 1
South Shore leads New England Round Robin (1-0) | Playoffs: 7-0
South Shore continued its dominant postseason run, improving to a perfect 7-0 with a strong showing to open Round Robin play. After a scoreless first, the Kings broke things open with three goals in the second period, including tallies from Brendan Keaveney and Eli Heinze.
Lewiston got one back through Gabriel Braun, but South Shore closed it out in the third behind Jake Kavanagh’s insurance marker.
The Kings controlled the pace throughout, outshooting Lewiston 32-21, and sit atop the Round Robin standings after Day 1.
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