The New England Conference Finals got underway while the Mountain Division Final delivered a pivotal swing, setting up a winner-take-all Game 5.
South Shore Kings 4, Utica Jr. Comets 0
The South Shore Kings opened the New England Conference Finals in dominant fashion, shutting out the Utica Jr. Comets to take a 1-0 series lead.
After a scoreless first period, South Shore broke through in the second with two goals from Eli Heinze, who set the tone offensively. The Kings carried that momentum into the third, adding goals from Jake Kavanagh and Andrew Jensen to seal the 4-0 win.
South Shore’s complete effort on both ends of the ice puts them in control early in the best-of series as they look to continue their postseason run.
(South Shore leads series 1-0)
Utah Outliers 5, Grand Junction River Hawks 4 (OT)
The Utah Outliers kept their season alive in dramatic fashion, defeating the Grand Junction River Hawks 5-4 in overtime to even the Mountain Division Final at 2-2.
Grand Junction came out strong with three first-period goals, but Utah responded with a three-goal second period to tie the game. The teams traded blows late, ultimately forcing overtime where Erick Bachtle netted the game-winner to complete the comeback.
With the series now even, everything comes down to a decisive Game 5, with a trip to the Dineen Cup Championships on the line.
(Series tied 2-2, Game 4/17)
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 w0n, 3-0
Game 3 – April 13 (6:00 PM) – Ice Vault Rink 3 | Islanders won 4-1 and win series
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)
April 14 – Utica vs. South Shore (3:00 PM) | South Shore won 4-0
April 15 – Utica vs. South Shore (3:00 PM)
April 16 – Utica vs. South Shore (3:00 PM)
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 | Utah won, 5-4 – Series 2-1
Game 3 – April 13 (7:05 PM) – Black Rock Events Center | Utah won, 5-4 (OT) – Series 2-2
Game 3 – April 17 (12:00 PM) – River City Sportplex
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