The Bracket is set and the second Southern Collegiate Hockey Conference playoffs will be underway starting Friday night at the new Florida Hospital Center Ice in Wesley Chapel, FL.  This marks the first time the playoffs will take place while in consideration for rankings, making for a very competitive weekend.

Heading into this weekend the SCHC members hold significant spots in the South Region rankings and will determine many other teams fates.  Five out of the six teams in the SCHC are currently ranked in the top 15.  Along with that, three out of the top four teams in the south region also belong to the SCHC.  The whole south region will be watching this weekend to see if they will have an opportunity to play for the national championship.

Florida Gulf Coast University (#1) earned its first round bye with two huge wins late in the season over Tampa and then UCF.  The defending SCHC champions have been a tear heading into the playoffs with a thirteen game win streak, outscoring their opponents 111 to 13.  During these thirteen games they have also accumulated five shutouts.  FGCU will enter the tournament as the favorites as they look for the three-peat.

The University of Central Florida (#2) clinched the second place on Saturday night against Tampa with a 5-2 win.  They will also have Friday night off and return to action Saturday for the semi-final game.  UCF will entering this tournament seeking their first SCHC championship as well as securing their #2 seed in the south region, which would give the Knights the right to bypass regionals and book their tickets to Columbus for Nationals. 

The University of Tampa (#4) will be facing off against FAU on Friday night at 7:30PM.  The Spartans are looking to win their first SCHC championship after losing to FGCU last season.  This weekend is also a chance for the Spartans to advance in the rankings.  With potential to play the first and second ranked teams in the region, the team will look to make the jump and return back to nationals for the second time in team history.

The University of Miami (#15) is looking forward to its rematch against USF on Friday night in its first ever SCHC playoff appearance.  The Canes finished with a 4-6 record in the SCHC in its first year as a member in the conference.  Success in this weekends tournament could give Miami the jump they are looking for to qualify them into the regional tournament, which will take place back at the Florida Hospital Center Ice February 24-25.

The University of South Florida (#13) will look to take the season series against Miami on Friday night.  The two teams are currently split at a win a piece.  The Bulls are another team in the conference looking to secure their spot in the regional tournament on their home ice surface.  USF is currently on a four game win streak heading into the playoffs securing weekend sweeps against SCHC member, FAU as well as SECHC opponent, University of Florida.

Florida Atlantic University will be looking to crack the top 15 after this weekends play.  They will face off against the University of Tampa Spartans on Friday night to kick off the tournament.  This is the Owls first year qualifying for the SCHC playoffs.  The Owls secured a conference win early in the spring semester against USF, 6-3.

This weekend will be the talk of the south region as teams go head-to-head, looking to be crowned champion.  Don’t forget to get all your up to date scores and highlights through the SCHC twitter page (@SCHCHockey)

Friday February 10, 2017 – SCHC Quarterfinals

Game 1: 7:30 PM #6 FAU vs. #3 Tampa

Game 2: 8:00 PM #5 USF vs. #4 Miami

Saturday February 11, 2017 – SCHC Semi-Finals

Game 3: 9:30 AM Loser of Game 1 vs. Loser of Game 2

Game 4: 2:30 PM #1 FGCU vs. Lower Seed Winner

Game 5: 2:30 PM #2 UCF vs. Higher Seed Winner

Sunday February 12, 2017 – SCHC Championship

Game 6: 9:30 AM Winner of Game 4 vs. Winner of Game 5 ** Championship Game

Game 7: 10:00 AM Loser of Game 4 vs. Loser of Game 5