American International College is a relatively unheralded hockey program. Located in Springfield, Massachusetts, the Yellow Jackets are a member of the Atlantic Hockey Association. They’ve never made the NCAA tournament and have only won two conference titles, their most recent as a member of the ECAC in the 1968-69 season.

I found AIC in an unlikely place when the USCHO rankings came out yesterday.

Sure it’s only two votes, but it’s votes nonetheless. The Yellow Jackets are the top team in the Atlantic this year with 27 points (13-8-1) with an overall record of 13-12-1. That’s right, no non-conference wins.

Their schedule hasn’t been tough but they’ve played well enough to find themselves at the top of the conference standings. Air Force is only two points behind but AIC swept the two-game season series by a total margin of 9-0.

The Final Stretch

AIC has three conference series left to play. Two at home against Niagara and Sacred Heart with a road series against Army West Point sandwiched in between. If AIC can pick up one sweep and avoid being swept at all, they’ll be in great shape to win their first-ever regular season conference championship.

With three of their four remaining series being conference affairs that leaves us with one more to talk about. February 15th and 16th are two road dates with a good Arizona State team. If AIC can carry momentum into that weekend and come away with that elusive non-conference win, that would be a big confidence boost.

First NCAA Tournament?

Each of the six conferences get an automatic bid. How they use that bid is at their discretion but it most-certainly goes to the winner of the postseason conference tournament. AIC absolutely HAS to win their tournament to be in. They’re the top team in the AHA. Air Force is a very good hockey team and maybe the only legit threat to knock off the Yellow Jackets.

I think AIC can ride their momentum to the conference title and make it. But Air Force is gonna be ready to spoil AIC’s season and make the tournament themselves after being embarrassed in the regular season. There’s plenty on the line as the Atlantic season winds down.