| By Jon Marchese — |  | ||
We’ve hit the winter break so here’s how the UNYCHL looks this season:
WEST
By playing more games St Bonaventure (7-2) is technically ahead of Buffalo State (6-0) despite the Bengals winning both meetings. Buffalo State controls its own destiny in route to the division title. Alfred State (4-2) leads Fredonia (3-3) currently for the 3rd and final playoff spot. They will meet again on February 4th in a game that could decide who gets in.
METRO
Niagara University (4-1) took control of the division this past weekend. The University at Buffalo (4-2) dropped a game Saturday vs ECC (3-3-1) potentially setting up a playoff rematch in February. Brockport (1-2-1) has several games left in hopes to make the postseason.
The top3 teams in these divisions qualify for postseason play. #3 plays at #2 with the winner playing a crossover game at #1 of the other division for a ticket to the final four.
CENTRAL
Binghamton (6-0-1) has been on cruise control most of the season. Cortland (4-2) did defeat Binghamton via shootout in their second meeting. Cornell (3-3) has one more meeting with Cortland as that contest could determine a playoff spot.
EAST
LeMoyne (4-1) currently leads Hamilton (3-1) despite a lopsided Hamilton victory in November. These two will meet one more time.
The Central and East divisions have crossover regular season play. The top two teams in the division advance with a crossover playoff before the final four.
This year’s final four is February 26th and 27th at the North Buffalo Ice Rink. Both tiers of the UNYCHL will participate. Currently Niagara County Community College (defending champion) has a stranglehold on the Tier2 #1 seed. St John Fisher, Geneseo, Gannon and Mercyhurst are battling to make up the rest of the field.
