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For the first time since joining the MASCAC, Anna Maria earned the top seed in the 2026 MASCAC Men's Ice Hockey Tournament which starts on Thursday with the quarterfinal round.

Getting the tournament started Thursday, February 26 are #4 Salem State hosting #5 MCLA while #3 Westfield State entertains #6 Worcester State at 7:35. The quarterfinal winners will then head to the semifinals on Saturday, February 28 where the lowest remaining seed will play #1 Anna Maria at 6:40 pm while #2 Fitchburg State entertains the other remaining seed at 4.

The two victors from the semifinal contests will then face off on Saturday, March 7 for the MASCAC Tournament crown and a spot in the NCAA Tournament.

Earning their first-ever MASCAC Regular Season title and number one seed, Anna Maria finished 12-1-1 in the conference this season. A big part of their success was due to goalkeeper Matthew Hennessey and his success in goal with his league-leading goals-against average of 1.91, save percentage of .941, total wins at 15 and win percentage at .800. He also had the third-most saves with 639 on the year. 

Grabbing the other first round bye with the second seed is Fitchburg State. The Falcons had a 10-4 mark in MASCAC play. Following the end of the regular season, four Falcons were in the top four of the conference in points, including Devin Niles who in his first season with the team tallied 37 points, on a conference-leading 25 goals with 12 assists. He netted three goals on the power play and two game-winners.

Hosting a quarterfinal contest is Westfield State with the third seed. The Owls collected an 9-3-2 record in conference action with the help of Emile Pichette who led the team with 26 points on 10 goals and 16 assists. He was excellent on the power play this season with seven goals while tallying two game-winners and a game-tying goal. 

Getting the final hosting duties of the tournament is fourth seed Salem State. The Vikings come into the tournament after finishing 6-5-3 during the regular season. Zach Dill was top contributor this season, finding the back of the net eight times with seven assists for 15 points. He had four power play goals and two game-winners over his 25 games played.

MCLA and Worcester State close out this year's tournament field with the fifth and sixth seed, respectively. The Trailblazers look to netminder Rocco Stolz who stopped 723 shots with a .931 save percentage, 2.70 GAA and seven wins in his first year with the team. For the Lancers, Shane Prifrel collected 19 points on six goals and 13 assists over his 21 games started with a power play and game-winner to finish out the season.

During last year's tournament, fourth seed Fitchburg State defeated #8 MCLA, 3-1 for their first time since 2018 and third even to punch their ticket to the NCAA Tournament.