NCDC Weekend Preview: Division Races Take Center Stage
The NCDC returns with a 51-game schedule from Friday, Nov. 13, through Sunday, Nov. 15. Several division leaders face direct pressure this weekend, while a number of two- and three-game series could create meaningful movement throughout the standings.
Atlantic: Knights Get Their Opportunity
P.A.L. and the Wilkes-Barre Scranton Knights enter the weekend tied atop the Atlantic with 26 points, although P.A.L. is idle.
The Knights can take sole possession of first place when they visit West Chester on Saturday at 6 p.m. ET. The Wolves also host the Rockets Hockey Club on Sunday.
Jersey and the Connecticut Junior Rangers meet Friday and Saturday at the Ice Vault. The Hitmen begin the weekend third with 20 points, three ahead of Connecticut.
Mercer crosses into the Metropolitan schedule, visiting South Shore on Saturday and Northern on Sunday.
Colonial: Springfield Defends First Place
The Springfield Pics carry a six-game winning streak and a division-leading 27 points into a three-game homestand.
Springfield hosts Vermont on Friday, Red Bank on Saturday and the Connecticut Chiefs on Sunday. New York sits three points behind the Pics and plays Utica on Friday before visiting Vermont on Sunday.
Utica enters the weekend third with 22 points, while the Chiefs and Red Bank are tied at 20. Syracuse visits the Connecticut RoughRiders on Friday.
Metropolitan: One Point Separates the Top Three
Northern leads the Metropolitan with 23 points, but South Shore and the Islanders Hockey Club are each one point behind.
The Cyclones visit the Boston Junior Bruins on Saturday and host Mercer on Sunday. South Shore welcomes Worcester on Friday and Mercer on Saturday.
The Islanders host the Boston Junior Rangers on Friday. New England faces Northeast leader Lewiston twice, visiting the MAINEiacs on Friday before hosting Sunday’s rematch.
Northeast: Woodstock and Lewiston Remain Separated by One Point
Woodstock enters the weekend first with 24 points, one ahead of Lewiston.
The Warriors play three road games in three days, visiting St. Stephen on Friday, Northern Maine on Saturday and Perth-Andover on Sunday. Lewiston faces New England on Friday and Sunday.
Thunder, third with 21 points, hosts New England on Saturday. Montreal visits Quebec in Saturday’s lone all-Canadian matchup of the weekend.
With Woodstock and Lewiston playing different opponents, every result could influence the top of the Northeast.
Great Lakes: Columbus Faces Two Challengers
Columbus leads the Great Lakes with 22 points, one ahead of Chicago and four ahead of Toledo.
The Mavericks host Fort Wayne on Friday before welcoming Toledo on Saturday. The Cherokee begin their weekend at home against the Metro Jets on Friday.
Chicago and Red River begin an unusual three-game set Friday in Chicago before shifting to Red River for games Saturday and Sunday. That series gives Chicago an opportunity to challenge for first place while Red River looks to end a three-game slide.
North: Blue Ox Hold the Lead
Minnesota Blue Ox enter the weekend first in the North with 21 points, four ahead of Northwest and five ahead of Hudson.
Hudson visits the Blue Ox on Friday in the division’s most consequential matchup. Northwest hosts Wisconsin Rapids on Friday and Saturday, with the Riverkings attempting to end a 10-game losing streak.
Minnesota Squatch travels west for games against Casper on Friday and Saturday.
Mountain: First Place in Reach
Park City leads the Mountain with 20 points, only one ahead of Vernal. Rock Springs sits third with 16 points but has played fewer games than both teams above it.
Park City visits Rock Springs on Friday before the teams meet again Saturday in Park City. Vernal opens its weekend Friday at Fresno before visiting Pacific-leading Ventura on Saturday.
That Ventura matchup brings together two teams carrying winning streaks into the weekend: the Vikings have won seven straight, while the Oilers have won their last two.
Pacific: Ventura Looks to Extend Its Run
Ventura owns a division-best 23 points and a seven-game winning streak. The Vikings’ only game this weekend comes Saturday against Vernal.
Ontario and Lake Tahoe meet Friday and Saturday in Lake Tahoe. Fresno hosts Vernal on Friday before facing Ontario on Sunday.
Florida: Tampa Bay Takes an 11-Game Streak Into the Weekend
Tampa Bay has opened a commanding division lead with an 11-1 record and 11 consecutive victories.
The Juniors host Florida Surge on Friday before visiting Coral Springs on Sunday. The Jr. Cats enter the weekend second with 18 points and host the Florida Junior Blades on Saturday.
Typhoon visits the Florida Eels on Saturday and hosts the Surge on Sunday.
Southeast: Charlotte and Hampton Apply the Pressure
Charlotte leads the Southeast with 24 points and has won five straight. The Rush visit Charleston on Friday before hosting the Colonials on Saturday.
Hampton Roads also enters on a five-game winning streak. The second-place Whalers play a two-game road set against Potomac on Saturday and Sunday.
Carolina hosts Yorktown twice, with the teams meeting Saturday night and again Sunday morning.
The full standings entering the weekend are available through the official NCDC Game Center. You can watch all of the games live and in HD with USPHL+ (powered by Black Bear TV)