Justin Cole - AIC - Episode 69 - NCAA Tournament Edition

Justin Cole, fresh off being named the Atlantic Hockey Tournament Most Outstanding Player, joins Bernie this week as he and his Yellow Jacket teammates gear up to play #1 North Dakota in the NCAA Tournament.

Jason Lammers' Niagara team battled their way through a three-game series against top-seeded Robert Morris to advance to the AHA Tournament semifinals. Next up for the Purple Eagles are top overall seed AIC in Springfield.

Brian Riley's Black Knights haven't lost a game since the beginning of January and carry the nation's longest unbeaten streak into championship week. They're coming off a hard-fought quarterfinal series against Sacred Heart, with the series-clinching game going to three overtimes before Army netted the game-winner.

Derek Schooley's Colonials won the West Pod Regular Season Championship and enter the AHA Tournament looking to keep their streak of final four appearances alive. He joins Bernie to talk about his team's preparation and what he's looking forward to as they get on the ice this weekend.

After winning the East Pod Regular Season Championship and securing the #1 overall seed in the AHA Tournament, Eric Lang joins Bernie to talk about how he's kept the team fresh during their six-week hiatus and what it will be like to step on the ice for competition in the playoffs.

Associate Commissioner Steffan Waters joins Bernie this week as Atlantic Hockey enters the postseason. He talks with Bernie about the road the league took on to get here, the sacrifices each team made to play hockey in 2020-21, and what is in store for the Atlantic Hockey Tournament over the next few weeks!

Marc Johnstone had a big week for Sacred Heart, helping lock the Pioneers into the 3rd seed in the Eastern Pod heading into the playoffs. The senior didn't expect a year like this, but he explains to Bernie how SHU has gotten through it with the postseason nearing.

Air Force had been on an extended break due to COVID pauses by both them and their opponents, but they returned to the ice and secured a big sweep of Canisius on home ice in their final games of the regular season. Max Harper is an elder statesman on a young Air Force team, but his play has helped them to 3 wins in a row and some momentum heading into the postseason.

Colin Bilek has absolutely broken out during his junior year and Army is rolling along with him. He joins Bernie to talk about the rigors of dealing with COVID not only as an athlete but as a cadet at West Point.

Canisius has started and stopped as often as any team in Atlantic Hockey this year, but that hasn't derailed the Golden Griffins during the 2020-21 season. Coach Trevor Large has kept Canisius ready to play through their extended pauses and are now in position to secure 1st place in the West.