NESCAC Quarterfinal: #6 Hamilton at #3 Conn College

Thanks to Colby assistant Chris Hall, who is helping us preview all four quarterfinals in his "Coach's Corner" section of each preview. Follow him on twitter @chall4431

Who: #6 Hamilton (9-9-6;7-7-4) at  #3 Connecticut College (13-9-2; 10-7-1)
Where: Dayton Arena New London, CT
When: 3:00 PM  2/28/15
Video/Audio: First Time Broadcasting 
Preview:  Hamilton 

Overall  (Conference Rank)                           Conference Games (conf. rank)
Offense: 2.83 G/GM (5th)                              Offense: 2.72 G/GM (6th)

Defense: 2.54 G/GM (7th)                              Defense: 2.56 G/GM (4th)

Power Play: 15/90 -16.7% (7th)                    Power Play: 11/67 -16.4% (7th) 

Penalty Kill: 76/92 - 82.61% (5th)                  Penalty Kill: 61/72 - 84.7% (3rd)

Special Teams Net: -2 (7th)                           Special Teams Net: -1 (6th)

Overall (Conference Rank)                            Conference Games (conf. rank)

Offense: 2.75 G/GM (6th)                               Offense: 2.89 G/GM (5th)

Defense: 2.38 G/GM (4th)                               Defense: 2.44 G/GM (3rd)            

Power Play: 15/93- 16.1% (8th)                     Power Play: 10/64 - 18.6% (8th)

Penalty Kill: 66/80 - 82.5% (6th)                     Penalty Kill: 48/59- 81.4% (5th)

Special Teams Net: +3 (6th)                           Special Teams Net: +1 (5th)

The Lowdown

Both of these programs are trending up from their recent history. The Camels made their first NESCAC playoff season in five years last season and this season they earned their program's first ever home playoff game. Hamilton enters the game after a one year absence from the postseason. The sixth seed is their highest since they were the first overall seed in 2011 before being upset by eight seed Wesleyan in the Quarterfinals. 

The Continentals have a 6-12 record in the NESCAC playoffs and have never made it past the semifinal stage. Since 2006, the Conts have made it out of the quarters only once (2010). The Camels have even less success as they are still searching for their first playoff win in what will be their fifth appearance. 

Hamilton swept the season series, winning 3-1 at home in January and 4-2 at Conn earlier this month. Both wins were predicated on big third periods for the Conts, who outscored the Camels a combined 5-0 in the final frame in the regular season. Hamilton netminders came up big in both games with Tim Nowacki (G, '18) (will likely start on Saturday) coming up with 30 saves at home and Zach Arnold (G, '15) stopping 40 Camel shots in the come from behind win in New London. 

Coach's Corner with Chris Hall

Key Matchup: Curtis, Matheson & Murden vs Birmingham, Cangelosi & DiPretoro. Two of the top lines in the NESCAC go head to head in New London, CT. Throughout the season, each team has depended upon their top group to carry the offense. While the lines may or may not go head to head on the ice (due to coaches line matchups), whichever group finds their name on the scoresheet more will very likely be moving on to the Semifinals.

Tactical Analysis: Two competitive, physical teams. Look for this one to be a zone to zone game with lots of physicality and grit. Both teams like to possess the puck down low with one forward high in the offensive zone. The first lines can be lethal off the rush, otherwise this game will be a gritty battle from the tops of the circles and below.

Hamilton Wins If...: They limit their mistakes and receive a strong goaltending performance (likely to be Nowacki). Four goalies have seen time this year for the Continentals and they’ve received strong play out of every man to don the pads. A .925 save percentage as a team will go a long way towards winning a playoff game. Conn is a team that limits their own mistakes and takes advantage of their opponent’s misplays. Protecting the puck will be critical if Hamilton is to move on.

Conn Wins If...: They move past the first home playoff game jitters and play the style that has led them to success this season. A streaky team, they started 1-5-0 before going 12-4-2 in their last 18 games. Two of those four losses came two weeks ago at home to Amherst and Hamilton – when they had an opportunity to lock up home ice in the first round. Staying focused on the task at hand and playing the way that led them to win 12 of 18 will lead them to the NESCAC Final Four.

Players to Watch

Pat Curtis (F, '15) The senior member of Hamilton's all-important first line (31 of the team's 68 goals), Curtis has three points (2-1-3) against the Camels this season. 

Tom Conlin (G, '16) The junior netminder is coming off his second NESCAC Player of the Week honor of the 2014-15 campaign after he stopped 60 of 62 shots in Maine against Bowdoin and Colby. 

Conn's looking to get to their first ever NESCAC championship weekend while Hamilton is looking to make only their second appearance in the NESCAC Frozen Four since 2006. Better win, or you're not getting out of February. Death From Above 1979 - "Black History Month"