ROCHESTER, NY- The United Collegiate Hockey Conference is pleased to announce the field of six teams taking part in the upcoming inaugural UCHC Men's Championship Tournament to take place from Wednesday, February 21st to Saturday, March 3rd.
The conference's inaugural championship tournament will serve as a showcase platform for the talents of our student-athletes, as well as a continued celebration of the strong and growing ice hockey heritage among the UCHC's member institutions. The men's hockey Programs at Utica College, Stevenson University, Lebanon Valley College, Manhattanville College, Elmira College, and Neumann University will be the inaugural group of squads vying for this season's crown.
No. 1 Utica, the regular season champion of the UCHC, enters postseason play following a 24 point effort and a conference record of 12-4. As the league's first place team in the regular season, they receive a bye into the semifinal round, and will play one of three teams: Manhattanville, Elmira, or Neumann in that round. Utica's semifinal matchup will take place on Saturday, February 24th at 2:00 PM in the confines of the Utica Memorial Auditorium.
No. 2 Stevenson, the regular season champion of the Middle Atlantic Conference, will receive a first round bye for the first time in its two year history after finishing with 22 standings points and edging Lebanon Valley College on the head-to-head tiebreaker. The Mustang men finished with a UCHC record of 9-3-4 under Dominick Dawes. As a top two finisher, Stevenson has also earned rights to host a semifinal game, and will do so on Saturday, February 24th at 7:00 PM at Reisterstown Sportsplex against the highest remaining seed at that point, which could be Lebanon Valley, Manhattanville, or Elmira.
No. 3 Lebanon Valley makes the postseason for the first time since returning to NCAA Division III play, and finished with 22 points and a UCHC record of 10-4-2 under Don Parsons. The Dutchmen will host sixth-seeded Neumann University in an opening round game to be played Wednesday, February 21st at 7:00 PM at Hersheypark Arena.
No. 4 Manhattanville steps into the conference tournament fold after coming close to a prospective first round bye this weekend. Arlen Marshall's charges finished the campaign with a 9-5-2 conference record and 20 standings points, while finishing 6-3-2 overall on home ice. Following a road weekend to wrap the regular season, home ice will be back in play for the Valiants on Wednesday, when they host fifth-seeded Elmira in a 7:00 PM opening round game at Rye Playland.
No. 5 Elmira College returns to postseason action after a one year absence, and finished the season with an 8-5-3 conference record and 19 points under head coach Aaron Saul. The Soaring Eagles are unbeaten in eight of their last nine games, and will take that hot streak into Manhattanville on Wednesday.
No. 6 Neumann University was at their very best in the conference with a record of 8-6-2 when standings points were on the line. They earn the final spot, and have won three of their last four games under Kyle Mountain to qualify for the UCHC playoffs. They will visit Lebanon Valley on Wednesday.
The full tournament schedule, with times for first round and semifinal games, is as follows.
WEDNESDAY, Feb. 21 - OPENING ROUND
No. 6 Neumann at No. 3 Lebanon Valley, 7:00 PM
No. 5 Elmira at No. 4 Manhattanville, 7:00 PM
SATURDAY, Feb. 24 - SEMIFINALS
Lowest Remaining Seed (Manhattanville/Elmira/Neumann) at No. 1 Utica, 2:00 PM
Highest Remaining Seed (Lebanon Valley/Elmira/Manhattanville) at No. 2 Stevenson, 7:00 PM
SATURDAY, March 3rd - CHAMPIONSHIP
Semifinal Winners - Time and Site TBA