NAHL Weekend Preview

April 30, 2021

Just three weekends remain in the 2020-21 NAHL regular season and more playoff spots are on the line as 20 games highlight the weekend.

Two division titles are still up for grabs and 10 of the 16 available playoff spots have been clinched to date.

The 2021 Robertson Cup Playoffs begin the third week in May and the top four teams in each division will qualify for the post-season. The four divisional playoff winners will meet for the 2021 Robertson Cup Championship, which is scheduled to be held at Fogerty Arena in Blaine, MN, from June 18-22.

Several more players announced NCAA Division commitments this past week. That brings bringing the current season total to 295 players (including a new record of 270 Division I commitments) who are playing in the league and are committed to playing NCAA hockey in 2020-21.

In the Central Division this weekend, there are a couple storylines. First, the Bismarck Bobcats need just a point to clinch a playoff spot as the host the Minnesota Wilderness. Speaking of the Wilderness, they hold down the fourth and final spot, just one point ahead of the St. Cloud Norsemen. The Norsemen have won four in a row and have a big challenge this weekend, hosting the Aberdeen Wings, who are five wins away from 50 wins for the season with six games to play. The Austin Bruins are three points out of the final playoff spot with only six games remaining as they face an almost must-win situation hosting Minot this weekend.

In the East Division, the Tomahawks have clinched the division as they travel to Danbury for three games to face the Jr. Hat Tricks, who are in an almost must-win situation to keep their playoff hopes alive. New Jersey is at Maryland on Friday on conclude their series after Maryland took the first game on Thursday, 2-1, to pull within a point of 3^rd place in the division. The 2^nd place Maine Nordiques are at Northeast to face the Generals.

In the Midwest Division, the Janesville Jets are on the cusp of a division title as they topped Kenai River 5-2 on Thursday with two more games to go in the series in Alaska. The big race is for 2^nd place as Fairbanks is now just three points behind the Minnesota Magicians. The Ice Dogs host the Chippewa Steel for two games, as the Steel are still looking for their first win under new head coach Mike Janda. The Magicians don’t play again until next weekend.

In the South, the race for the division title could reach an end as soon as this weekend as the 1^st place Shreveport Mudbugs hold a seven point lead over the 2^nd place Lone Star Brahmas as they travel to Lone Star this weekend. A sweep by Shreveport would clinch the division title. In the other series, the Wichita Falls Warriors look to overtake the Amarillo Bulls for 3^rd place as they are in Odessa for two games against the Jackalopes. Amarillo and New Mexico are idle this weekend.

Watch all the action on HockeyTV

Click here for updated scores

Download the all new NAHL App today! (iOS - Google Play)

FRI, APRIL 30

New Jersey at Maryland - 6:30 PM EDT

Johnstown at Danbury - 7:00 PM EDT

Maine at Northeast - 7:00 PM EDT

Minot at Austin - 7:05 PM CDT

Aberdeen at St. Cloud - 7:10 PM CDT

MN Wilderness at Bismarck - 7:15 PM CDT

Wichita Falls at Odessa - 7:15 PM CDT

Shreveport at Lone Star - 7:30 PM CDT