The 2025-26 regular season was the first of its kind for the Little East Conference in Ice Hockey, and it provided plenty of thrills for programs and fans alike. Parity was tantamount between the conference’s top seven teams, which made every regular season an exciting watch. As we turn the corner into the postseason, the NPI tells us that the LEC will be a one bid league this season, making this tournament the six remaining teams’ only shot at the national tournament.

The Bye Teams

1.)  Norwich 13-2-3 (16-5-4 Overall)

In preseason conversations, we discussed the big three of this conference, and Norwich’s goaltending and depth were instrumental to their regular season conference title. In conference play, Norwich tripped up on the road against Babson and UMass Boston in the first month of the season, but locked in for 2026, going undefeated in LEC play, while only losing one game in regulation to a Middlebury team that earned its reputation as King slayers this season.

When they’ve needed him, Sami Molu is the cornerstone of the Cadets’ success this season. His 92.4% save percentage against an offensively gifted schedule was a shade better than the rest of the big three’s goaltenders. Ben Van Waterschoot (25p), Frank D’Ancona (24p), and Boyd Stahlbaum (23p) led the team in scoring in a group that boasted six players with more than twenty points this season. A roster with eleven skaters with double digit points is one of the deepest in the tournament and positions the top seeded Cadets as a favorite to capture the first LEC title.

2.) Babson 14-3-1 (19-4-2 Overall)

New England College might not have qualified for the tournament, but they had the biggest impact on seeding as the only LEC team aside from Norwich to defeat Babson, and in doing so twice, dropped them to the second seed. Aside from those three losses, the Beavers have been as dominant as any team in New England in 2026. Incredible goaltending, top end scoring, and depth were key to the Beavers holding a National ranking for most of the season.

Nathan Mueller was as close in save percentage to Molu as possible with his 92.3%, and that performance was a central component of Babson’s success this season. Jimmy Fallon (32p) and Evan Brown (29p) were transcendent offensively this season while Egan Schmitt (20p), Ian Driscoll (18p), and Brendan Kennedy (18p) were critical secondary options. Babson also rostered eleven double digit point scorers, charting their depth to be every bit as lethal as Norwich. It would be shocking if the LEC title isn’t played between these two powerhouses, but anything can happen in one-and-done playoff action.

The Quarterfinals

3. Plymouth State vs 6. VTSU Castleton

3.) Plymouth State 11-6-1 (14-10-1 Overall)

Plymouth State’s adjustment from being the MASCAC’s king to a big three LEC team was not as smooth as expected, but this team has shown it’s at least capable of hanging with the top two squads. A 0-3-1 record against Babson and Norwich wasn’t what the Panthers want to think about heading into the playoffs, but it’s not a secret their skater group is as effective as any team in the nation.

Plymouth also has eleven double digit scorers this season, headlined by Will Redick (33p), Étienne Tremblay-Mathieu (26p), Payton Schaly (23p), and Kim Hilmersson (22p). This group has consistently shown that they can take over games and score at will, but unfortunately, they’ve needed to in a lot of games. Connor Strobel (89.6%) and Brandon Shantz (88.5%) have not been good enough in goal, and it’s haunted this team all season, most notably in their 8-5 loss to UMass Boston on February 6^th. This team has all of the ingredients to get on a run in this tournament, but it’s difficult to trust a goalie tandem that was ousted by MCLA in the 2024-25 MASCAC tournament to carry this team past both Babson and Norwich potentially. Their skater group can get them there, but the lights will be hot for head coach Craig Russell.

6.) VTSU Castleton 9-8-1 (13-10-2 Overall)

Aside from a 0-5-1 record against the big three, the Spartans were 9-3-0 in LEC play this season, which is a tremendous campaign for a team that was 3-16-1 in the NEHC in 2024-25. Castleton, just like the top teams in the conference, succeeded behind a deep and consistent skater group who gives them a better chance than zero to go on a Cinderella run in the LEC tournament.

Luke Chakrabarti (30p) and Emmett McHardy (29p) posted the best scoring outputs for Castleton this decade, while Cameron Reid (19p) and Logan Dapprich (18p) were tremendous in their contributions from the blue line. Another team with eleven double digit scorers, Castleton’s depth is a key component for them this season. Joshua Ward (91.8%) was not one of the conference’s best goalies this season, but all he needs is three great games to put this group in a position to win a conference championship.

Head-to-Head

On November 8^th, Plymouth won their first match-up 4-2 in Vermont. The Panthers had 4 multi-point scorers in that game. Charles Watson started in goal for Castleton in that game, giving up 3 goals on 32 shots. In the January 23^rd rematch, Plymouth state won at home 5-4 in overtime. The Panthers’ scoring was done by committee in the rematch, while the Spartans’ scoring was paced by David Coyle’s 3 points. Lukas Bukatovs surrendered 5 goals on 40 shots for Castleton, while Shantz stopped 27 of 31. The X-factor in the rematch will be if and how Castleton’s Josh Ward holds up against Plymouth’s attack since he did not face them at any point this season.

4. Southern Maine vs UMass Boston

4.) Southern Maine 10-7-1 (12-12-1 Overall)

No team in the LEC has been more fun to follow this season than Southern Maine. A win against Plymouth State and a tie against Babson were highlights for this program as they proved they could hang with the best teams in the conference. Another team whose depth was key to their success this season, the Huskies will rely on scoring by committee the rest of the way.

Ben Aucoin (25p), Kayde Kinaschuk (19p), and Gavin Simopoulos (19p) were critical to the Huskies’ scoring in 2025-26. In goal, Loic Morin has stolen games despite his 90.1% save percentage, but Southern Maine will need his best to have any chance of extending their exciting season into the national tournament,

5.) UMass Boston 9-7-2 (14-9-2 Overall)

UMass Boston is the dark horse of this tournament. Boasting a 2-3-1 against the big three, the Beacons (Babson losses were both by one goal, including an OT game) have shown that they’re a credible threat to every team in this conference and the nation (they took #9 Utica to OT). Unfortunately, UMB has also dropped winnable games to intraconference foes regularly, forcing them into this road gauntlet.

Jude Kurtas (32p), Jazz Krivtsov (29p), Jack Mortson (22p), and Chris Repman (20p) have been key to the Beacons’ success all season, and that will need to continue if this team is going to go on a run. We’ve seen that they can outgun Utica and Plymouth’s top guys, but whether the rest of the team can support them will be the key. Alex Koenig (92.7%) and Connor McDonough (92.4%) are as good as any goalies in the tournament and will make UMass Boston a tough out for anyone they play.

Head-to-Head

Both head-to-head games in the season series were won 4-3 by the home team. In the January 16^th Beacons victory, Alex Koenig and Loic Morin were both phenomenal, with Jazz Krivstov’s 2 goals being the biggest individual impact in the game. In the Valentine’s Day rematch, Loic Morin was unbelievable, stopping 47 of 50 in the contest. Ben Aucoin and Conor Donovan’s 2-point outings were crucial for the Huskies in the win. The X-factor in the rematch will be if Loic Morin can repeat his dominance from their February matchup at his home rink.