CCC BRACKET/RELEASE | CCC ALL-CONFERENCE RELEASE

BEVERLY, Mass. – The fifth-seeded Endicott men's ice hockey team (15-8-2) will travel to fourth-seeded Nichols (11-11-3) on Wednesday, February 20 for a Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) Tournament quarterfinal round matchup at 7:10 PM at Levy Rink. Here's a preview of Wednesday's matchup.

SERIES HISTORY: Endicott and Nichols are tied at 4-4-0 in the all-time series, which dates back to 11/4/15. In their last meeting (11/10/18), the Gulls picked up a 6-2 win over the then No. 15 nationally ranked Bison (RECAP).

SCOUTING ENDICOTT: The Gulls enter Wednesday's matchup with a 1-4-0 record in their last five contests (all in February) and a 6-5-1 road record. 

Despite all that, Endicott currently ranks first in the CCC in goals per game (5.04), and power play goals (33), fourth in power play percentage (23.7), and fifth in penalty kill percentage (79.8) and goals against average (3.10). Nationally, the Gulls are first in goals per game, ninth in scoring margin (5.04 GF/G, 3/20 GA/G, 1.84 margin), and No. 15 on the power play. 

Individually, Endicott features four student-athletes inside the top-10 in points. Those student-athletes are Daniel Kucerovy (Bethel Park, Pa.), Josh Bowes (Edmonton, Alberta, Canada), Tommy Besinger (Milton, Mass.), and Ross Olsson (Billerica, Mass.). Kucerovy currently ranks tied for first in points (16G, 25A, 41P), Bowes is third (18G, 21A, 39P), Besinger is fifth (8G, 29A, 37P), and Olsson is tenth (9G, 19A, 28P).

SCOUTING NICHOLS: The Bison are 1-3-1 in their last five games and 6-4-1 at home this season. 

Meanwhile, Nichols currently ranks sixth in the conference in goals per game (3.00), fifth in power play goals (23) and power play percentage (19.5), and second in penalty kill percentage (85.6, fifth nationally) and goals against average (2.49). 

Individually, the Bison's top point-getter is Vincent Crivello (Rosemere, Quebec) who is No. 11 in the conference with nine goals and 27 assists.

WHAT'S NEXT

The winner between No. 5 Endicott and No. 4 Nichols will advance to the CCC Tournament semifinal round on Saturday, February 23.

TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE
(Games hosted by the higher seed)

Quarterfinals – Wednesday, Feb. 20
#6 Wentworth at #3 University of New England, 7 p.m.
#5 Endicott at #4 Nichols, 7:10 p.m.

Semifinals – Saturday, Feb. 23
Lowest remaining seed at #1 Salve Regina, TBD
Second lowest remaining seed at #2 Curry, TBD

Finals – Saturday, March 2
Semifinal winners at higher seed, TBD

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(Photo credit - David Le '10)