By Michael Battista / @MichaelB_96

The 2020 Colonial Cup playoffs are set to start tonight as four teams begin their quest for the trophy, with two more carefully watching in the wings. The field includes a possible history-maker, multiple come-back stories, teams looking to break through into the top of the conference conversation, and more.

The full schedule for the playoffs can be found here.

With that in mind, here are each of the teams looking to get their name on the cup and represent the Colonial States College Hockey Conference (CSCHC) at the ACHA Division 2 Southeast Regionals.

#1: The College of New Jersey Lions - 16-1-1 (19-9-1 Overall) (ACHA SE Ranking: 22)

The three-time defending Colonial Cup champions are two wins away from making history and have one of the strongest rosters behind them. 

The Lions come into the postseason with the second-highest performing offense (127 goals scored across all games), third best defense (86 goals allowed) and are extremely hot, winning six straight conference games to end the regular season on top (seven of eight when including non-CSCHC games). Four players have scored over 10 goals this season, two of which are young sophomores (Jameson Dugan &Anthony De Alto) and another being assistant captain Kristopher Hastings, who recently earned his 100th collegiate point in the penultimate game of the season. In net, sophomore starting goalie Michael Lojewski has won 11 of his 20 games, including a near perfect record in conference, and earned a season save percentage of .913%.

Of the teams the Lions could play in the semifinal, they have split the series against (#6) Millersville, including a 11-1 win back in early November, and (#4) Rutgers. The Lions hold two wins over (#5) West Chester with a combined scoreline of 12-7. No regular season champion has ever won the Colonial Cup in the history of the conference.

If TCNJ wins it’s fourth championship, the win would be historic for the ACHA. In the history of the four conferences that make up the association’s Southeast Region (Atlantic Coast Collegiate Hockey League, Colonial States College Hockey Conference, Mid-Atlantic Collegiate Hockey Association, & Tri-State Collegiate Hockey League), no school has ever won four straight conference championships. Currently, the Lions are tied with five other programs (listed below) for first with three. Additionally, by just appearing in the final TCNJ would tie for second-place in for the most consecutive championship game appearances by an ACHA Southeast team (also listed below).

Most consecutive conference championships by teams in a Current ACHA Southeast Conference:

• Wagner College (MACH, 2006-2008)

• UMBC (MACH, 2009-2011)

• Georgetown University (ACCHL, 2012-2014)

• University of Toledo (TSCHL, 2012-2014)

• University of Louisville (TSCHL, 2015-2017)

• TCNJ (CSCHC, 2017-2019)

Most consecutive conference final appearances by teams in a Current ACHA Southeast Conference:

6: Wagner College (MACH, 2004-2009) (Won 4 of 6)

5: University of Maryland (ACCHL, 1999-2003) (Won 2 of 5)

5: Rider University (MACH, 1999-2003) (Won 1 of 5)

4: TCNJ (CSCHC, 2016-2019) (Won 3 of 4)

#2 University of Pennsylvania Quakers - 15-2-1 (16-4-1 Overall) (ACHA SE Ranking: 19)

The Quakers come into the playoffs with a bye for the third straight season. The most statistically dominant team this season, leading in goals scored (158 across all games) and allowing the second least (72), will pose a challenge for any team that meets them in the semifinal.

For UPenn, it's offense has been staggering all season. Both Brett Rahbany     and Alex Beckert led the conference in points (48 & 43 respectively) through the regular season. The former also leads the CSCHC in goals with 29, while Beckert has been the best set-up man this season with 26 assists. Only two of the Quakers’ games have been decided by two or fewer goals.

Head coach Scott Carmack explained that his team is hoping to follow the same formula it has all season heading into the playoffs, while also knowing one extra game is a luxury.

“Preparing is practice as usual,” Carmack said. “Focus on our team where to get better, have fun and make the most of the opportunity while achieving your goals. 

“Having the first round off Friday night means one less game to play and a lot of happy wives and girlfriends,” He continued. “It will be an interesting and fun playoffs to watch and be a part of.”

The Quakers have lost to TCNJ the past two years in the semifinal round, going one-and-done after earning byes. This year a potential rematch can only be achieved in the Cup final. Of the teams the Quakers can face, the biggest challenge will be (#3) Scranton who gave UPenn its lone OT loss last October in a shootout. The team has beaten (#4) Rutgers by three goals in both of its games this season and swept (#5) West Chester, including a 11-3 blowout on November 8th.

#3 University of Scranton Royals - 13-4-1 (14-9-1 Overall) (ACHA SE Ranking: 32)

For the first time joining the Colonial, the Scranton Royals will be playing playoff hockey on Friday in the quarterfinal. The team will open the playoffs against (#6) Millersville University.

Despite the lower-than-usual seeding, Scranton remains one of the top teams in the conference. It’s five losses this season all came against teams in the Top 4, with Rutgers pulling off an impressive win last Saturday in the regular season finale, 5-2. Head coach Stephan Fusco    knows come playoff time anyone can get hot and that goes both ways.

“We feel good with our chances,” Fusco said. “We have some of the injured (players) coming back like Pete Cassidy and Joe Zani. And hopefully get rid of the flu bug. 

“The bottom line is we have to play smarter, for the whole 60 minutes of the game.You cannot take time off against TCNJ, Penn, (or) anybody!”

One player the team will be counting on is forward John Forlenza II, who tied for fifth this season in points against CSCHC teams with 31 (14 goals, 17 assists). The returning Cassidy, who tied Forlenza this season in goals across all games with 18, will be a huge addition to the roster in his return. The team also has two solid starters to choose from in net, Drew Lenway and Dylan Euvino, with both starting at least 10 games this year and winning six each.

The Royals swept the regular season series against Millersville with a total score of 11-3. Despite the extra workload his team will endure from playing on Friday, coach Fusco is looking at it from a different angle.

“Maybe it's meant to be, we shall soon see,” he said. “TCNJ has (won the championship without a bye), you never know. Maybe it's our turn. My kids have a lot of heart.”

#4 Rutgers University Scarlet Knights - 11-4-3 (ACHA SE Ranking: 28)

The Scarlet Knights are coming into the playoffs as one of the biggest threats to the CSCHCs undisputed top three. The conference leaders on defense finished the season by keeping pace with teams such as TCNJ and UPenn, while also beating Scranton in their final game.

The team didn’t finish the regular season with a specific player leading on offense. Instead, the main focus of the Knights is its ability to have power players come from anywhere. Joshua LoGiudice is coming into the postseason with seven assists and seven goals, with three of the latter being game-winners. Team leader in goals (14) and tied for most assists (13) Anthony Margiotta is only four points ahead of second place Ryan Hille. Five players have ten or more assists on a team where 18 unique players have scored at least one goal. 

The biggest factor for any team wanting to beat the Knights is beating Steven Gibilisco in net. The Bayonne, NJ native has only allowed in 42 goals this season after facing 402 shots in 12 games. His save percentage sits at a formidable 0.896 while his seven wins against CSCHC teams ties him for third most in the conference this season. He, along with defenders like Sean Murphy and Douglas Fischer, will be a huge challenge for any opponent.

Rutgers will be hoping to earn its first piece of silverware since joining The Colonial. During the regular season, the team played hard against its quarterfinal opponent West Chester in both its games. The Rams won both meetings in shootouts.

#5 West Chester University Rams - 10-7-1 (11-12-1 Overall) (ACHA SE Ranking: N/A)

The inaugural CSCHC Champions are back in the playoffs after missing the big dance this season. Behind an offense first, ask questions later set-up head coach Patrick Wilson has developed his team to punch-up against opposition, becoming one of the stingiest teams to play in the process. Going against (#4) Rutgers, the team with the best defense in the league but a statistically average offense, could be the best match-up for the Rams.

Alex Marino leads the team in goals (18 in conference, 24 total), assists (12, 14), and total points (30, 38). The Setauket, NY native has been on-fire in the 2020 portion of the season, finishing the regular season by earning 10 points in the final six games. 

“Our goal coming into 2nd semester, especially after the clinching game against NJIT, was to build momentum and establish consistency heading into playoffs,” said head coach Patrick Wilson. “We wanted to make sure we were confident and playing the right way heading into the playoffs. The team that can get hot at the end of the season usually finishes on top in playoffs. It’s much harder to flip the switch and start playing good hockey if you’re coasting into the playoffs.”

West Chester will be looking to become the lowest seed to ever win the Colonial Cup (currently the lowest is #4 when TCNJ won in 2018). 

#6 Millersville University Marauders - 9-7-1 (9-19-3) (ACHA SE Ranking: 38)

The biggest comeback story of the season has culminated in a playoff berth for Millersville as the team looks to shock-the-system in the postseason. After a year to remember including a 3-game trip to Kentucky and a 12 game losing streak to start the season across all competitions, the Marauders rebounded in the second half.

Due to their early season struggles the tail-of-the-tape could seem misleading with the squad leading the conference in goals allowed across all games (160), but goalies Garret Baldacci and Mathieu Schroeder have picked up pace along with the offense. On offense, David Andrews and Tyler Browne have become one of the fiercest combos for opposing teams to face as one can usually find the other to set up a goal. Meanwhile Christopher King has been dangerous on his line due to his keen ability to find space to feed teammates for shot attempts.

This is the lowest seeding Millersville has ever entered the playoffs with. Against (#3) Scranton, the defense will need to withstand a lot of attacks if the group looks to advance to the semifinals. The team will also be looking to avoid another heart-breaking loss like the one it experienced against Rutgers last season in the quarterfinals.

Key Playoff Links

• Playoff Games will be streamed on Lions Hockey Live!*

• *Note: The first game on Friday between (#6) Millersville and (#3) Scranton will be streamed on the Mauraders Facebook Page

• Final ACHA D2 Rankings

2020 ACHA D2 Regional Information (TCNJ set to host Southeast Regionals from Feb. 28 to March 1)