As expected it's been a wild and wacky ride in the world of CIAC boys' hockey playoffs with Division I and II providing some surprises and exciting finishes.
In Division II tonight (Tuesday), some consider the Amity vs. Trinity Catholic-Stamford game at 5:30 p.m. the championship game with two of the most talented teams front to back meeting in the semifinals. Amity has what is arguably the best first line in Division II while Trinity Catholic is tough to beat when it plays as a unit. It could come down to the goalies in this matchup. If Amity can get a 2-3 goal lead early, that could be enough to carry it the final.
Sheehan vs. Fairfield Warde/Ludlowe is another tough matchup. Fairfield Warde/Ludlowe has been focused on getting to Ingalls Rink and comes in with one of its best teams in recent years. Sheehan's forte is its high-scoring two lines and offensive-minded defense. The key with Sheehan is if it gets behind 2-3 goals it has the offense to come back in a hurry.
The Division I semis on Wednesday is interesting with favorites Hamden bounced by Notre Dame-Fairfield in the quarterfinals and South Windsor bounced by Simsbury in the first round. With due respect to the northern teams, Glastonbury will be hard-pressed to beat Notre Dame-Fairfield and Conard has to take on a fired up defending champion Fairfield Prep. Catholic schools have ruled in recent years and it looks like more of the same in 2008. Notre Dame-Fairfield has legendary coach Marty Roos and a hot first-year goalie in Nick D'Aurio. Fairfield Prep has been buoyed by hot goalie John Errico with improved play at forward and defense.
My pick is for for Amity and Sheehan to meet in the D-II final with Amity taking home the championship. I see Prep and Notre Dame-Fairfield in the D-I final with Prep winning it all.