SHU GAME NOTES

FAIRFIELD, Conn. – The Sacred Heart Men's Hockey Team was in first place from Dec. 3 until Feb. 13, enjoying a run that included a 10-3-3 record and a seven-point lead in the AHA. This was accomplished with the knowledge that its schedule was front loaded, and some hot teams would catch up, especially if the Pios had any hiccups.
 
All but one school has played 24 games and has two remaining before the start of the conference tournament. The Pioneers (17-10-5, 14-7-3) entered an off weekend tied for first and now find themselves in third, trailing Holy Cross (12-game unbeaten streak) and Bentley, one point out of second and six off the lead. This becomes playoff-like hockey because both Niagara and Army are close behind.
 
SHU plays AIC (10-18-2), the eighth-place squad with 22 games played, Tuesday at the MassMutual Center in a 7 p.m. faceoff airing live on FloSports. The Yellowjackets are coming off a tie and a loss at RIT last weekend.
 
The Pios, who had a three-game unbeaten streak snapped on Feb. 8 at Army, have four skaters with double digit goals and a dozen have 10 points or more, including six over 20, while a pair of netminders have combined for a 2.64 goals against and a .907 save percentage. Those numbers make head coach CJ Marottolo's squad challenging for post-season opponents.
 
Sacred Heart, which completes the regular season by hosting second-place Bentley on Saturday at 6 p.m. on Senior Night, seeks a first-round bye and home ice for the post season, and that starts with being one of the top four seeds. All 11 AHA teams participate in the conference tournament that gives the winner an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. Here's the format:
 
First Round- Single game, hosted by higher seeds on Saturday, March 1
• No. 11 seed at No. 6 seed
• No. 10 seed at No. 7 seed
• No. 9 seed at No. 8 seed
 
Quarterfinal - Best-of-three series, hosted by higher seeds Friday-Sunday, March 7-9
• Lowest remaining seed at No. 1 seed
• Second-lowest remaining seed at No. 2 seed
• Third-lowest remaining seed at No. 3 seed
• No. 5 seed at No. 4 seed
 
Semifinal - Best-of-three series, hosted by higher seeds, Friday-Sunday, March 14-16
• Lowest remaining seed at Highest remaining seed
• Third-highest remaining seed at Second-highest remaining seed
 
Championship - Single game, hosted by higher seed on Saturday, March 22
• Lowest remaining seed at Highest remaining seed