2025-2026 Little East

[MilkUniversity]

Been a minute, but Thanksgiving's over and a big week of tournaments is now behind us.

Before Thanksgiving, a few notable results for the 'top 3' teams. Babson had a rough start to the week, with USM pulling off a shootout upset on the road. The next day, Tufts followed up with a 5-1 win, giving Babson their first outright loss of the season. Norwich picked up a narrow win at UMD, before losing at UMB in OT. Plymouth won their first ever rivalry matchup vs Keene, and picked up another win against visitors West Conn. Right before the holiday, the Panthers were quickly brought back to reality with a 6-1 loss to a struggling Trinity team.

Also of note, West Conn picked up their first ever win against fellow first year program Roger Williams. Not a big matchup by any means but the Wolves can finally add a game to the win column, getting the result at home.


And for the tournaments:

Castleton started strong with a 5-0 shutout of Lebanon Valley also on home ice. In the final, newcomers SJF played opposite day, beating Castleton 5-0 to win their first piece of hardware as a program.

UMB started the weekend with an OT loss to hosts Utica, putting up a strong fight against the nationally ranked side. In the consolation, UMB picked up a 3rd place finish with a 2-1 win vs Morrisville.

Norwich began with a convincing win vs Stevenson on home ice to begin the LayerEight, heading to a rivalry matchup regardless of the outcome. In the final, Norwich went to OT vs in-state rivals Middlebury, winning in the shootout to reclaim the tourney title.

 

[MilkUniversity]

Post Turkey Friday. Have to say that USM seems to be legit. Gave Babson all they wanted and wouldn’t go way earning a nice point and respect. Babson looks like they are the cream of the crop. West Conn, for a first year program, has some good size and grit. They do lack some high end talent, and have almost no discipline, but play hard and do not give up. Plymouth State might be the least disciplined, selfish, zero hearted team in maybe D3. An 0-4 Trinity team ate their lunch with no resistance or heart. Still amazed at players doing whatever they want and taking two or three minute shifts. Goaltending is average, and they play like a ship at sea without a rudder. NEC is another dissappointment. It looks like they just want the season over, which is a joke because it’s not even at the half way point. UMass Boston, Babson USM and Norwich are the class of the league right now.

Biggest disappointment for the LEC so far is NEC. Went from being a surprise contender in one of the toughest conferences to middling in the LEC on a good day. Following up a home loss to UMD by getting two close wins against Keene and West Conn is a rough way to close out the first half. Not sure what isn't clicking but don't think they'll find any momentum against Trinity or Fitchburg before the break.

Still agree that Plymouth has a number of issues that need to be sorted out. Facing Trinity was never going to go well even if they haven't had a good start. NESCAC vs former MASCAC, Plymouth playing their 3rd game in 5 days, road trip right before Thanksgiving, etc... it's definitely not a good result but isn't a dealbreaker. From the games I've seen, they've started to mesh more, but players keep hesitating on the ice and giving up turnovers on bad passing and dumped pucks. For goaltending, Shantz isn't going to get us through the playoffs, and Strobel isn't a solution in net. Both are already splitting time in net which will help the fatigue, but Plymouth needs a serious recruit in goal to make a difference.

 

[MilkUniversity]

The LEC gets ready for a quiet end to 2025 with Babson and Norwich done until the new year.

This weekend starts off with Trinity at NEC for the main matchup of the weekend. Saturday sees a cross division matchup between Assumption and West Conn, and a former MASCAC matchup between Plymouth and Salem for Plym's annual Teddy Bear Toss.

Next week sees a handful of matchups against the MASCAC and other opponents. Wednesday is the highlight with a tricky Anna Maria team visiting Plymouth, and Castleton making the trek to play new SUNYAC member Skidmore. 2025 ends with USM playing back-to-back, making the trek to Salem on Thursday before hosting an 8-1 independent Salve Regina squad.

With the year coming to an end, any highlights or thoughts on the LEC's first season so far? Any big surprises so far?

 

[Irish Eamon]

Good posts regarding the Little East’s first year. The intriguing thing about the first quarter to half is that nothing has really been settled or revealed. Once the little east games are the dominate part of the schedule, then we shall see. It appears that there is no favrorite to win the league an automatic birth. Babson is good but not dominate, PSU has the talent, but can’ or haven’t been able to figure it out, although word has it they will get some serious help from a mid season transfer. Norwich is good but speed is a problem. Southern Maine could run away but the schedule so far has been less than challenging. UMB seems to be getting better each week, so they might be the favorite. Castleton is a paler or three away from competing and the newbies, West Conn and Keene are playing well for new teams to D# but are a few years away. NEC needs a shot of realty an a gut check, falling fast and not showing anything but lackadaisical play, could be Good night Irene before the new year. UMD, like the effort at the beginning of the game, but get behind and then mail it in for the rest of the game, no excuses for that…

Lastly who does Utica have on the payroll on the polls board. 5-5 and still ranked. The tough schedule argument doesn’t hold much water when you keep losing.

 

[MilkUniversity]

Good posts regarding the Little East’s first year. The intriguing thing about the first quarter to half is that nothing has really been settled or revealed. Once the little east games are the dominate part of the schedule, then we shall see. It appears that there is no favrorite to win the league an automatic birth. Babson is good but not dominate, PSU has the talent, but can’ or haven’t been able to figure it out, although word has it they will get some serious help from a mid season transfer. Norwich is good but speed is a problem. Southern Maine could run away but the schedule so far has been less than challenging. UMB seems to be getting better each week, so they might be the favorite. Castleton is a paler or three away from competing and the newbies, West Conn and Keene are playing well for new teams to D# but are a few years away. NEC needs a shot of realty an a gut check, falling fast and not showing anything but lackadaisical play, could be Good night Irene before the new year. UMD, like the effort at the beginning of the game, but get behind and then mail it in for the rest of the game, no excuses for that…

Lastly who does Utica have on the payroll on the polls board. 5-5 and still ranked. The tough schedule argument doesn’t hold much water when you keep losing.

Cheers!

USM has outperformed which has been cool to see. The familiarity with teams lile Babson and Norwich, mixed with an easier schedule is putting them in a good spot to compete. Obviously hoping Plymouth will get Ws against them, but it should be a tough fight.

Unless Plymouth comes up with something, I don’t see us holding in the playoffs. While I’d hope we can put up a good fight, even if we end up 1st or 2nd at the end of the regular season, still see Norwich beating us even on a good day. Really curious what you’ve heard about a transfer because this was definitely a light year for pulling in transfer students. We’ve gotten lucky in the last few years with some fringe guys from Utica, UNE, and Norwich, but don’t think we’ve ever had any high impact player join during the winter break.

And hoping for Oswego to knock Utica out of the poll tonight. Still genuinely surprised Norwich hasn’t gotten votes yet this season IIRC, and that NEC somehow got a vote in the pre-season. NPI matters and poll means nothing at the end of the day, but still would be a good morale boost for any LEC team that makes it on.

 

[Irish Eamon]

Late night update from the weekend/. First of all, Middlebury got jobbed by the ref in the shootout, should have beat Hamilton. Did catch the Plymouth Salem State game. First period was a good one, with Salem keeping a 1-0 lead into the second period. Plymouth decided to use their speed and skill and turned te game into a rout. Third period turned into a 70’s Bruins-Flyers game, exciting but tons of penalties. Plymouth starts a gauntlet with Anna Maria, Hamilton, Skidmore and Babson. Did this win light the match to ramp them back into a contender? Tomorrow’s game, at Hannaway, will be big to keep the train rolling……

 

[MilkUniversity]

Plymouth’s hopes to recover their season hinge on closing out with a W vs Anna Maria. Last year Plymouth shut them out at home to clinch their 8th MASCAC season title. Before that, the AmCats beat them 3 meetings in a row. For a small school with a relatively new program, Anna Maria is a program that is consistently on the up. Would not be surprised if we get a second physical game in a row with a much closer scoreline.

It’s an incredibly tough schedule after the break but excited to see Plymouth get the chance to play some top level teams. Already assuming a Hamilton W, but hoping for a good defensive showing, and big opportunities against Skidmore, Babson, and USM.