NEWHA reveals 2022-23 postseason details

WINTHROP, Mass. – The seeds are set for the New England Women's Hockey Alliance postseason as the seven-team tournament will begin Friday, Feb. 24 with Quarterfinals round action.

Each of the league's seven teams will compete in the playoffs with Long Island University, the NEWHA Regular Season Champion, earning a first-round bye after racking up a league-leading 37 points, thanks to a 17-4-3 NEWHA record.

For the first time in NEWHA history, the winner of the league's postseason championship will earn an automatic bid to the NCAA National Collegiate Women's Ice Hockey Championship.

The Quarterfinals round of NEWHA action begins Friday, Feb. 24 and each of the three series will be played in a best-of-three format at the higher seed. The second game at each site will be played Saturday, Feb. 25, and the "if necessary" games are scheduled for Sunday, Feb. 26.

From there, the remaining four teams will compete in the Semifinals in a single elimination game at the higher seed on Wednesday, Mar. 1. The NEWHA championship game will be played at the highest remaining seed on Saturday, Mar. 4.

Long Island, who had a share of the regular season title last season, looks to win its first NEWHA postseason championship since the 2019-20 campaign when the Sharks claimed victory in their first season. LIU will enjoy a first-round bye for the second consecutive season

Saint Anselm, the tournament champion in 2018-19, earns the No. 2 seed. The Hawks have made it all the way to the NEWHA championship game in each of the league's four tournaments and will look to extend that streak, beginning first-round action at home against the No. 7 seed, Saint Michael's.

Stonehill and Franklin Pierce finished in a tie for third place in the NEWHA regular-season standings, but the Skyhawks lock down the No. 3 seed after a 3-1 record over the Ravens in head-to-head competition.

The Skyhawks are competing in the first season as a varsity program in 2022-23. The team opened league play with a bang, winning their first five NEWHA games and did not lose in regulation time until the month of November.

The reigning NEWHA postseason champions from a season ago, Franklin Pierce found its footing toward the second half of the season and remains without a league regulation loss across its last 10 games. The Ravens are also dangerous when playing in Winchendon, dropping just four of its 15 home games to date.

Sacred Heart, Post and Saint Michael's round out the seven seeds. The Pioneers won the very first NEWHA league title in 2017-18.

A complete schedule of games reads as follows with start times for each contest to be determined.

Friday, Feb. 24
Quarterfinals
No. 7 Saint Michael's at No. 2 Saint Anselm – 4 p.m.
No. 5 Sacred Heart at No. 4 Franklin Pierce – 4 p.m.
No. 6 Post at No. 3 Stonehill – 5 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 25
Quarterfinals
No. 7 Saint Michael's at No. 2 Saint Anselm – 1 p.m.
No. 6 Post at No. 3 Stonehill – 1:30 p.m.
No. 5 Sacred Heart at No. 4 Franklin Pierce – 4 p.m.

Sunday, Feb. 26
Quarterfinals (if necessary)
No. 7 Saint Michael's at No. 2 Saint Anselm – 1 p.m.
No. 6 Post at No. 3 Stonehill – 1:30 p.m.
No. 5 Sacred Heart at No. 4 Franklin Pierce – 4 p.m.

Wednesday, Mar. 1
Semifinals
Lowest remaining seed at No. 1 LIU
Second lowest remaining seed at second highest remaining seed

Saturday, Mar. 4
Championship
Lowest remaining seed at highest remaining seed