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With one final day to go in the Hockey East regular season, just UMass-Lowell has secured home ice. Providence, New Hampshire, Boston College, Boston University and Merrimack are all still mathematically alive for a top four seed.
The Friars control their own destiny, but also have the biggest possible drop with a loss. Nate Leaman's team is tied for first place with UMass-Lowell, the team they host at Schneider Arena tonight at 7p.m. Either team would win the Hockey East regular season trophy with a win. However, if Providence loses, they could find themselves all the way down in the fifth spot depending on other results.
UNH and Boston College would both clinch home ice with wins. Boston University and Merrimack both need to win and get some help in other results in order to earn home ice.
UMass-Amherst made a courageous comeback at Merrimack, scoring three times with the goaltender pulled, but fell in overtime on a Connor Toomey rebound goal. The loss meant the Minutemen's season will end tonight in Amherst. That was because of the earlier result in Durham. Maine had upset UNH 4-3 meaning the Black Bears had pulled three points ahead of the Minutemen. Northeastern and UMass will be the two teams sitting at home next week watching the playoffs.
Vermont sits one spot ahead of Maine for the seventh seed. The Catamounts host Boston College while the Black Bears play at UNH.
Stay with SBNation as we'll have continuous updates throughout the night on playoff scenarios. Jeff Cox covers college hockey for SBNation. Follow him on twitter @JeffCoxSBNation.