Our own Nick Mumley examines the landscape of Vermont HS Hockey heading into Round 1 of the playoffs.
Division 1
Playdowns
#8 Rutland over #9 CVU
#10 South Burlington over #7 Colchester
Quarterfinal
#1 Essex over #8 Rutland
#2 BFA over #10 South Burlington
#4 Stowe over #5 Spaulding
#3 Rice over #6 Middlebury
Semifinal
#1 Essex over #4 Stowe
#2 BFA over #3 Rice
Final
Essex 2, BFA 0
Notes:
I don’t expect anything too crazy in this year’s tournament, but there will definitely be some barnburners on the way to Gutterson. Stowe vs. Spaulding will be a toss up, and then the chance at a third BFA vs. Rice game is an intriguing possibility. But in Vermont high school hockey, it’s death, taxes, and BFA and Essex playing for a title. Essex has the slight edge this year, but getting back to Gutterson will be an accomplishment to be proud of for BFA after suffering back to back first round upsets.
Division 2
Playdowns
#9 St Johnsbury over #8 Missisquoi
#4 Hartford over #13 U-32
#5 Lyndon over #12 Northfield
#7 Burr & Burton over #10 Burlington
#6 Brattleboro over #11 Mt Mansfield
Quarterfinal
#1 Harwood over #9 St Johnsbury
#5 Lyndon over #4 Hartford
#7 Burr & Burton over #2 Woodstock
#3 Milton over #6 Brattleboro
Semifinal
#1 Harwood over #5 Lyndon
#3 Milton over #7 Burr & Burton
Final
Milton 4, Harwood 3 (OT)
Notes:
Division 2 has the chance to be absolutely nuts this year, with all of the top 7 seeds capable of getting the Gutterson in my opinion. Woodstock’s bid for a D2 three-peat will end in a shocking quarterfinal loss to Burr & Burton, in what will be the biggest upset of the hockey playoffs. Harwood will feel all the pressure as the #1 seed, and they won’t have any easy games on their way to the final. A semi-final matchup with Lyndon could be a potential trap game for the Highlanders. In the end though, Milton’s experience and defense will allow them to win the title for the first time since the 1970’s. The Yellowjackets are a senior-laden group that’s been here before. They’ve got a perfect balance of skill and experience to beat the young hot-shot Highlanders in an instant classic championship game.
