No. 9 Connecticut at No. 1 Rochester Institute of Technology
Connecticut: 7-25-3 (6-19-3 AHA)
RIT: 22-11-1 (22-5-1 AHA)
Season Series: RIT, 3-1-0
Husky Fact: UConn lost its only AHA quarterfinal series, 2-1, to Sacred Heart in 2008.
Tiger Fact: RIT has advanced to the semifinal round in each of the last two years.
How UConn Wins: The Huskies do a tremendous job of counter-attacking and need to pop in a few goals.
How RIT Wins: The Tigers just need to continue doing what they’re doing.
No. 7 Holy Cross at No. 2 Sacred Heart
Holy Cross: 12-17-6 (10-13-5 AHA)
Sacred Heart: 18-12-4 (16-9-3 AHA)
Season Series: Sacred Heart, 3-1-0
Crusader Fact: Holy Cross pushed RIT to three games in the 2009 quarterfinals.
Pioneer Fact: Sacred Heart improved 14 points in the league standings.
How Holy Cross Wins: The Crusaders need to stay out of the penalty box and convert on the power play.
How Sacred Heart Wins: The Pioneers are getting good production from their top two lines.
No. 6 Army at No. 3 Air Force
Army: 11-16-7 (10-12-6 AHA)
Air Force: 14-14-6 (14-8-6 AHA)
Season Series: Army, 1-0-1
Black Knight Fact: Army has lost its last three playoff games, all to Mercyhurst.
Falcon Fact: Air Force is 11-1-0 in Atlantic Hockey playoff games.
How Army Wins: Jay Clark needs to hold the fort while his forwards crash the Falcon net.
How Air Force Wins: Andrew Volkening is the best playoff goalie in league history and needs to find a way to duplicate his efforts.
No. 5 Canisius at No. 4 Mercyhurst
Canisius: 15-14-5 (13-11-4 AHA)
Mercyhurst: 15-18-3 (15-10-3 AHA)
Season Series: Canisius, 3-1-0
Griffin Fact: Canisius lost its last two quarterfinal series, including sweep at Mercyhurst in 2008.
Laker Fact: Mercyhurst has played in the last two AHA finals.
How Canisius Wins: Cory Conacher leads a potent Griffin offense which has popped in 15 goals against the Lakers this season.
How Mercyhurst Wins: Ryan Zapolski won three playoff games last year and needs another solid effort to help an injured Laker squad along.
Playoff Preview Capsules: Atlantic | CCHA | CHA | ECACH | Hockey East | WCHA
Conference Recaps: Atlantic | CCHA | CHA | ECACH | Hockey East | WCHA
