Jeff Howe

  (2:33 PM)

Hey guys, sorry for the late start, but thanks again for joining us for another college hockey chat. Let's get to the questions.

Andrew: (Boston, MA)

How will Boston University's loss to Northeastern last night affect their place in the NCAA tournament?

Jeff Howe

  (2:35 PM)

As long as BU makes some noise in the Hockey East tournament, the Terriers should be fine. The loss doesn't help their situation, though, because BC can leap over them in the standings this weekend.

Kellie (Boston)

How do you think Hockey East will wind up? There is about a million different possibilities but I think it will be: UNH, BU, BC, UMASS, Maine, Vermont, NU, Providence. What do you think?

Jeff Howe

  (2:36 PM)

I think it will end up being UNH, BC, BU, Vermont, Maine, UMass, NU and Providence -- in that order.

Hudson, Mass

Crystal ball question: Does UMass have to win the Hockey East tourney to make the NCAA's, or would knocking off a Maine, UVM or BC to get to the Garden be enough?

Jeff Howe

  (2:37 PM)

Most likely, yes, UMass does need to win the HEA tourney to get in. If, however, the Minutemen sweep Maine, win their first round series and then a semifinal game, they could sneak through if things fall their way across the nation.

Matthew (Columbus)

Assuming BC makes it into the NCAA Tournament, can they make a run?

Jeff Howe

  (2:39 PM)

Definitely. Experience will play a factor. Schneider is still in net. And, the top line of Gerbe, Boyle and Bradford could be the best line in hockey right now.

Buddy (durham, NH)

Why isn't anyone talking about Kevin Regan for the Hobey. He has been dominating this year?

Jeff Howe

  (2:42 PM)

Regan has been good but inconsistent at times. Curry gets the nod over Regan because his team doesn't score much. Without Curry, the Terriers would not be a tournament team and might not even be .500 right now. Without Regan, the Wildcats can still score 4-5 goals a game and come out winners.

Pete NYC

Is MSU in or out?

Joe Gladziszewski

  (2:46 PM)

MSU can play their way in, that's for sure. Even though things haven't gone their way, they will make the NCAAs with a strong run in the CCHA playoffs. I think this week off is good for them to recharge and refocus.

Dave, Menomonie, WI

In my opinion the WCHA playoffs are going to be wide open and any of the top 5 or 6 teams could win it. Would you agree? Who do you like to win it?

Jess Myers

  (2:47 PM)

I see either NoDak or SCSU winning it. Those two, Denver and Minn should get into the NCAAs for sure. Possibly a dark horse like CC or Tech too, but only via a really strong playoff showing.

Paul (Grand Forks)

Does Lamoureux have the goods to backstop North Dakota back to the frozen 4?

Jess Myers

  (2:48 PM)

Absolutely. With three shutouts in his last eight games, Phil is probably the most underrated goalie in the WCHA right now. And with the way NoDak scores goals, he donesn't need to be perfect to get the Sioux to St. Louis.

MIckey (NJ)

Princeton had a very impressive weekend sweeping Clarkson and St. Lawrence emphatically. What upsets do you see on the horizon in the ECACHL tourny?

Joe Gladziszewski

  (2:52 PM)

Princeton is one of the hottest teams in the league, that's for sure, but they're one of the teams vulnerable to an upset. Brown gave St. Lawrence fits last year and will definitely have a chance to win twice at Baker Rink this weekend.

travis (knoxville)

do u love what you do

Jeff Howe

  (2:52 PM)

Absolutely.

Bob (Rt. 11)

What a great year for the Skating Saints and the Golden Knights -- Do the Saints have to run the table to make the Dance? Is Clarkson deep enough to make a long run in the NCAA?

Joe Gladziszewski

  (2:55 PM)

St. Lawrence needs to make it to the finals of the ECACHL Tournament to have a good shot for an at-large bid into the NCAAs. Clarkson is probably the best team in the league overall, and beat St. Lawrence twice in head-to-head games. Their inconsistencies are troubling. They've had great wins, but also some bad losses.

Mike

does UNH finally have a team that can go all of the way? do you agree the biggest obstacle may be beating another HE team (ME, BC, BU?)in the second round at Manchester?

Jeff Howe

  (2:58 PM)

That second round is always a difficult one. You're either getting a very good team or a team coming in high off a big upset. UNH is getting good goaltending from Regan along with solid defense. If the Wildcats want to win it all, though, they need to keep their scoring up.

Mark (Fargo, ND)

With all of the talk most of the year about Brown from Notre Dame and TJ Hensick from Michigan, what chance does Ryan Duncan from North Dakota have to win the Hobey Baker?

Joe Gladziszewski

  (2:58 PM)

In this week's Hobey Tracker at INCH, we're touting Duncan as the top Hobey candidate right now. He's been absolutely amazing in the last two months, and North Dakota has an 8-1-3 record in those games. It all adds up to him being a Hobey front-runner.

Jeff (Boston)

With the new NHL rules in place does BC's Gerbe have what it takes to make it to the next level?

Jeff Howe

  (3:00 PM)

Gerbe has been the most exciting player to watch in Hockey East over the last two months, and his speed will definitely be an asset if he gets to the next level. His toughness is even more amazing, though. BC fans don't need to look far for another short player who has made a huge impact in the NHL. and Jerry York has already made comparisons to Brian Gionta.

Gerard (Houston, TX)

My roommate is a Gopher fan and I'm a Tech alum. Any chance I get bragging rights this weekend?

Jess Myers

  (3:01 PM)

I see a split this weekend, with the Gophers clinching the MacNaughton Cup, and the Huskies grabbing that final home ice slot when Denver sweeps CC. If that gets you bragging rights, go nuts!

Jeff Howe

  (3:03 PM)

All right, everyone. That's all the time we have for today. Thanks again for stopping by for another chat with the writers from Inside College Hockey. Have fun watching your team wind down the regular season or kick it into high gear in the playoffs. See you all again next week.