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2025-2026 Little East

Another weekend of LEC hockey down with a month of conference action left.

Babson gets two wins at home to hold on to 1st (with the tie breaker against Norwich). Friday, Babson controlled the ice for a 7-2 win over West Conn, before following it up with a 3-1 win over Keene. The Beaver’s now have 4 wins in a row and head to a one game weekend against USM.

Norwich comes out of a NH roadtrip to keep level for the top spot. At NEC, Norwich comes away with a 6-4 win as offense comes out on top over a punchy NEC. squad. Saturday, Norwich plays Plymouth for the 2nd time and runs into a determined Panther team. Plymouth controls the ice early, but Norwich levels the score 3-3 in the 2nd before both teams are deadlocked until Norwich gets a SO W. Big win for Norwich but the Cadets still drop a crucial point.

USM stays in the fight with another solid showing. Against Keene, the Owls led through the 1st until USM exploded for a 4 goal period to lead at the end of the 2nd. Keene came back to force an OT, where USM eventually seals the win after a strong offensive game. Saturday, USM takes a 3-0 win against West Conn to stay a couple points behind the 1-seed.

Castleton’s momentum gets held up at Plymouth, but the Spartans recover against NEC. Castleton and Plymouth go back and forth scoring, with Castleton going 3 for 6 on the PP to push for an OT. In OT, Plymouth pulls off the 5-4 win to give the visitors a loss to start the weekend. At NEC, Castleton scores 3 in the 1st snd shuts out NEC after getting outshot 43-20, recovering to hold on to 4th.

In a battle of the UMass schools, UMB and UMD went head to head in a home-and-away weekend. The former MASCAC Corsairs capitalized on PP chances to score against a UMB squad that had more shots both night. UMD comes out with two big wins to near the middle of the standings, with UMB on the losing end.
 
MilkUniversity said:
Another weekend of LEC hockey down with a month of conference action left.

Babson gets two wins at home to hold on to 1st (with the tie breaker against Norwich). Friday, Babson controlled the ice for a 7-2 win over West Conn, before following it up with a 3-1 win over Keene. The Beaver’s now have 4 wins in a row and head to a one game weekend against USM.

Norwich comes out of a NH roadtrip to keep level for the top spot. At NEC, Norwich comes away with a 6-4 win as offense comes out on top over a punchy NEC. squad. Saturday, Norwich plays Plymouth for the 2nd time and runs into a determined Panther team. Plymouth controls the ice early, but Norwich levels the score 3-3 in the 2nd before both teams are deadlocked until Norwich gets a SO W. Big win for Norwich but the Cadets still drop a crucial point.

USM stays in the fight with another solid showing. Against Keene, the Owls led through the 1st until USM exploded for a 4 goal period to lead at the end of the 2nd. Keene came back to force an OT, where USM eventually seals the win after a strong offensive game. Saturday, USM takes a 3-0 win against West Conn to stay a couple points behind the 1-seed.

Castleton’s momentum gets held up at Plymouth, but the Spartans recover against NEC. Castleton and Plymouth go back and forth scoring, with Castleton going 3 for 6 on the PP to push for an OT. In OT, Plymouth pulls off the 5-4 win to give the visitors a loss to start the weekend. At NEC, Castleton scores 3 in the 1st snd shuts out NEC after getting outshot 43-20, recovering to hold on to 4th.

In a battle of the UMass schools, UMB and UMD went head to head in a home-and-away weekend. The former MASCAC Corsairs capitalized on PP chances to score against a UMB squad that had more shots both night. UMD comes out with two big wins to near the middle of the standings, with UMB on the losing end.
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I thought Plymouth looked much better/more cohesive Saturday night against Norwich. It certainly appeared that they were playing good, unselfish hockey. Without Sami Molu suddenly remembering how good he is late, they walk away with a win. They'll be a tough draw in the LEC tourney, especially if they maneuver their way into a home game.
 
KrbFlint said:
I thought Plymouth looked much better/more cohesive Saturday night against Norwich. It certainly appeared that they were playing good, unselfish hockey. Without Sami Molu suddenly remembering how good he is late, they walk away with a win. They'll be a tough draw in the LEC tourney, especially if they maneuver their way into a home game.
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It was definitely an improvement over last week (and Friday). Didn’t make it to the Castleton game, but the only reason it went to OT was Plymouth played sloppy and Castleton seemed to get under their skin. Plymouth got called for too many men early and a major off a face mask call. Should’ve been a much simpler win, so hoping that was the wake up call we needed.

Am happy to at least get a point off Norwich. Plymouth played up from the back well and interrupted Norwich’s rythm early on to keep them on their heels. Was a much closer game than I was expecting, and if we can keep playing like that then hopefully we pull something off in the playoffs. Will say, we can’t take a penalty shot if our lives depended on it. Reddick had a chance in OT and bottled it, and we didn’t have any great looks in the shootout. Don’t see chances like that to often, but think I can guess what practice will focus on this week.
 
MilkUniversity said:
It was definitely an improvement over last week (and Friday). Didn’t make it to the Castleton game, but the only reason it went to OT was Plymouth played sloppy and Castleton seemed to get under their skin. Plymouth got called for too many men early and a major off a face mask call. Should’ve been a much simpler win, so hoping that was the wake up call we needed.

Am happy to at least get a point off Norwich. Plymouth played up from the back well and interrupted Norwich’s rythm early on to keep them on their heels. Was a much closer game than I was expecting, and if we can keep playing like that then hopefully we pull something off in the playoffs. Will say, we can’t take a penalty shot if our lives depended on it. Reddick had a chance in OT and bottled it, and we didn’t have any great looks in the shootout. Don’t see chances like that to often, but think I can guess what practice will focus on this week.
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I feel your pain. It seems like Norwich can never finish on a breakaway.
 
Looks like the LEC is going to come down to Norwich and Babson. The Norwich goalie between the pipes against Plymouth was outstanding. UMB got swept by UMD? Great job by the Corsairs, but really UMB? USM continues to win but something is just not there to be a favorite, still in the conversation though. Castleton is a dark horse. Played well in Plymouth and beat NEC for a three point weekend. Plymouth doesn’t; have goaltending, discipline, heart, etc.., but they do have talent. Could they piece together three wins to win the LEC? Playoff picture starting to come together.
 
Still 7-8 conference games left for most teams so plenty could still shift around, but I would agree that it does appear that Babson and Norwich have positioned themselves as the co-favorites and in good spots to lock up the top two seeds.

Unfortunately, unless someone gets really hot and then loses in the Little East final, the LEC definitely appears to be trending to be a one-bid league. Babson probably has the best shot an at-large bid (13th in latest NPI), but even that is a pretty big long shot, especially with a weak SOS right now.

Plymouth seems to be the wild card that could lose in the quarterfinals 4-0 or go off and win the whole thing depending on which team shows up and how disciplined they are. Certainly a team I'm not going to be begging to play, especially if they can clean up the penalties.

One thing is for sure, the LEC tournament should be a real dandy as anyone in the top eight can play and beat anyone. Even New England College, 8th place currently has beaten Babson and Plymouth State.

Castleton has put together a nice last month with a 6-2 record.

Excited to see how it all plays out.
 
USM, chance to prove you are legit tonight vs Babson. Knockout game UMB vs Castleton. Potential upset at Norwich after gong OT vs UMB and letting down vs UMD?
 
Irish Eamon said:
USM, chance to prove you are legit tonight vs Babson. Knockout game UMB vs Castleton. Potential upset at Norwich after gong OT vs UMB and letting down vs UMD?
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Rooting hard for the Huskies today, but I've gotta see they're a contender before I believe it. Their only "good" win is a 5-4 victory over Plymouth.

I think we see the opposite at Kreitzberg today. I think Norwich knows they left a big point on the table last night and jumps all over UMD, scoring early and often.
 
Great to see Benjamin rewarded with a goal after what he had to endure during the game.
Excellent start of game, although the third goal eluded them a lot longer than I had hoped for.
A few things to clean up, but trending well.
 
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Norwich showed some metal by taking care of business disposing of UMD. Statement game for USM and Babson put them back in the wanna be box. Castleton had a chance to grab a seat at the table, and UMB stepped all over them. New England College also bid farewell to being a part of the conversation, congrats to West Conn for their first win and a KO of NEC.. Plymouth barely hangs on with two very unimpressive wins, against West Conn and Keene.
 
Another weekend of LEC hockey and the playoff picture is starting to show.

Babson gets a huge win against a USM team that got the better of them early in the season. Late night host Jimmy Fallon takes the night off to notch a hat trick as Babson controls the ice and the power play. The Beavers now sit 2 points back in the standings but with a game on hand against Norwich.

Speaking of Norwich, the Cadets hold on to the top spot after another weekend. BUT, the Cadets dropped a point two games in a row, now against UMB. Friday Norwich almost doubled UMB’s shot count, but couldn’t score after the 1st as the Beacons tied the game in the 3rd. Molu for Norwich stood tall again this weekend, holding strong in OT and the shootout as the Cadets took a shootout win. Saturday, Norwich hosted UMD in a penalty heavy matchup, with the Cadets scoring 5 in a row to open up a 6-2 win. Cadets hold the top spot and are now staring down a season deciding match next weekend vs Babson.

Plymouth comes out of the weekend with two close wins on a trip to West Conn and Keene. Friday, Plymouth is caught in a back and forth match against the bottom ranked team in the LEC. West Conn takes advantage of the power play + pulled goalie goal to push Plymouth in the 3rd, but the Panthers hold on for a 4-3 win. Saturday, Plymouth visits Keene for the first time for rivalry night. Plymouth holds the advantage and gets 2 PP goals with Keene tailing close all game. Panthers hold on to win 4-3 again, sweeping their in-state rivals in the LEC's inaugural season.

Castleton tries to build momentum with a weekend split against the UMass schools. The Spartans score 2 goals late to break a deadlock with UMD, securing a critical win in the standings ahead of a key matchup vs UMB. Saturday, UMB follows up their trip to Norwich with a convincing 4-1 win against Castleton with the penalty kill protecting the lead. UMB now pulls within a point of Caslteton and is 5 points clear of UMD for the last playoff spot.

Outside of the playoff spots, NEC struggles to close the gap with a weekend split against Keene and West Conn. In another in-state rivalry match, NEC comes out strong early holding a 4-1 advantage vs Keene. Keene takes advantage of the power play and recovers to score 4 unanswered to tie the game late. In OT, with less than 30 seconds on the clock, NEC finally scores to end Keene's comeback hopes, winning 7-6 in OT. After dropping a point to Keene, NEC has a game to forget, as West Conn gets their first LEC win and second ever win as a program. West Conn has a busy 2nd period to take the lead and hold on for the win. Obviously not a whole lot West Conn can do at this point, but happy to see the Wolves get their first as NEC's playoff hopes slip further away.
 
Just looking ahead and wondering if the LEC should get two teams in the dance. Babson and Norwich should get in if they reach the semi-finals. There will be upsets in conference play, question is, can the LEC get three teams if Plymouth, UMB or Castleton can win the championship?
 
Irish Eamon said:
Just looking ahead and wondering if the LEC should get two teams in the dance. Babson and Norwich should get in if they reach the semi-finals. There will be upsets in conference play, question is, can the LEC get three teams if Plymouth, UMB or Castleton can win the championship?
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Its a 1 bid league as of now. Babson is on the outside looking in if they don’t win the conference. Norwich is not even in the picture for an at large.
 
Irish Eamon said:
Just looking ahead and wondering if the LEC should get two teams in the dance. Babson and Norwich should get in if they reach the semi-finals. There will be upsets in conference play, question is, can the LEC get three teams if Plymouth, UMB or Castleton can win the championship?
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If Babson wins out their schedule, I could see them maybe getting an at-large if a team like Norwich or Plymouth beats them in the championship. With the SOS of Norwich compared to a team in the CNE or NESCAC I don't see them making it unless they win the LEC. Not sure how the exact math works out for the NPI but would still need to see the right set of results in other conferences to move Babson into the top 10 nationally to get a chance.
 
This weekend is looking like the most important weekend of the season for the LEC (excluding the playoffs).

Friday:
- USM #3 @ Norwich #1 - Top 3 battle that kicks off a season deciding weekend for Norwich and gives USM one of their last chances to push for a bye
- Babson #2 @ Castleton #5 - Start of a huge VT roadtrip for Babson with a tough Castleton team looking for the chance to host in the playoffs
- Plymouth #4 @ UMB #6 - Start of a MA trip with Plymouth hoping to return to the top 3 and UMB looking to move up in the playoff positions
- NEC #8 @ UMD #7 - Likely last chance for both teams to make a push for a playoff spot

Saturday:
- Babson #2 @ Norwich #1 - Enough said
- USM #3 @ Castleton #5 - USM will be either pushing for 2nd or fighting to hold 3rd and Castleton is still looking to move up
- Plymouth #4 @ UMD #7 - Former MASCAC reunion with Plymouth still fighting for the top 3 and UMD on the outside looking in
- NEC #8 @ UMB #6 - If NEC wins Friday they could have a sliver of hope as UMB fights to work their way up the standings

Almost tempted to make the trip down to UMass Friday or Norwich Saturday. Should be a fun weekend and wish streaming was still free with games like these.
 
JSicedog said:
Its a 1 bid league as of now. Babson is on the outside looking in if they don’t win the conference. Norwich is not even in the picture for an at large.
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Agree, Babson will probably need to win out and a couple teams ahead falter to boost their NPI high enough if they don't win the conference championship to earn an at large. Norwich needs the conference championship to get in. Any upset conference chapionships, Babson needs to win their championship for sure.
 
Best chance for two bids for the LEC is Babson running the table and then losing to Norwich or Plymouth in the final and then they would have an outside shot. Other than that, zilch.
 
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