Meanwhile, the rest of the Northern Division the four Massachusetts team are playing in a more normal playoff format. The top-seeded Junior Bruins defeated the No. 4 Boston Advantage in three games, while the third-seeded Islanders Hockey Club beat the No. 2 South Shore Kings, also in three games.
The Jr. Bruins and Islanders HC will meet in the second-round playoff series for the chance to go to the final four.
Hodge said that the reason for the separate formats in the North Division is to keep teams as close as possible.
“It helps on travel and (keeps teams regionalized),” Hodge said. “We play the New Hampshire teams and the Mass. teams (will play against each other).”
Jersey
Maine
United-states
Tampa
Florida
New-hampshire
New-jersey
Massachusetts
Philadelphia
Pennsylvania
Boston
South-shore