The 2026 NCDC Dineen Cup Playoffs continued through the weekend with key momentum swings across all brackets. The P.A.L. Junior Islanders pushed ahead to a 2-0 lead in the Atlantic Division Finals, while the South Shore Kings and Utica Jr. Comets picked up wins to open the New England Conference Round Robin. Out west, the Grand Junction Rockies have taken control of the Mountain Division Finals with a 2-0 series lead.
Grand Junction River Hawks 2, Utah Outliers 1 (OT)
Grand Junction leads series 2-0
The River Hawks took a 2-0 series lead with a 2-1 overtime win over Utah. Gergo Schwartz opened the scoring in the first, before Utah’s Magzhan Sagadiev tied it in the third.
Sami Kallionkieli sealed it at 14:20 of OT, as Grand Junction overcame a 41-25 shot deficit to grab control of the series.
Atlantic Division Finals
Atlantic Division Final (Best-of-5): P.A.L. Junior Islanders vs. Jersey Hitmen
Game 1 – April 9 (2:00 PM) – Northwell Health Ice Center | Islanders won 3-2
Game 2 – April 10 (2:00 PM) – Northwell Health Ice Center | Islanders won 3-0
Game 3 – April 13 (6:00 PM) – Ice Vault Rink 3
Game 4 – April 14 (6:00 PM) – Ice Vault Rink 3
Game 5 – April 16 (2:00 PM) – Northwell Health Ice Center
New England Conference Round-Robin
The field is now finalized for the New England Conference Round Robin (April 9-11), featuring three division champions:
East Division Champion: South Shore Kings
Central Division Champion: Utica Jr. Comets
North Division Champion: Lewiston MAINEiacs
Round-Robin Schedule:
April 9 – South Shore Kings vs. Lewiston MAINEiacs (4:00 PM) | Kings won 4-1
April 10 – Utica Jr. Comets vs. Lewiston MAINEiacs (6:30 PM) | Utica won 4-1
Conference Final (April 14-18)
Mountain Division Final Set
The Mountain Division Final matchup is officially locked in with Grand Junction River Hawks vs. Utah Outliers
Series Schedule (Best-of-5):
Game 1 – April 10 (7:30 PM) – River City Sportplex | River Hawks won 5-3
Game 2 – April 11 (7:30 PM) – River City Sportplex | River Hawks won 2-1 (OT)
Game 3 – April 13 (7:05 PM) – Black Rock Events Center
Game 3 – April 13 (7:05 PM) – Black Rock Events Center
Game 3 – April 17 (12:00 PM) – River City Sportplex
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