The road to the ACHA Regionals ran through Lancaster this past weekend. With a field featuring a dominant #1 seed in West Chester and a gritty defending champion in Millersville, PA the atmosphere at the Lancaster Ice Arena was electric from the first puck drop.
The Quarterfinals (Friday, Feb 6)
The opening day saw the middle of the pack fight for a chance to face the rested top seeds.
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#4 Millersville (7) vs. #5 Stockton (4) : Playing on their home ice, the Marauders showed why they are the defending champs. In a physical contest, Millersville managed to stifle the Ospreys’ offense, securing their spot in the semifinals.
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#3 Scranton (5) vs. #6 Penn (4) : The University of Pennsylvania entered as the underdog but brought plenty of energy. However, Scranton’s disciplined play proved too much, as the Royals advanced to keep their championship dreams alive.
The Semifinals (Saturday, Feb 7)
The intensity ramped up on Saturday as the heavy hitters, West Chester and Neumann, entered the fray.
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#1 West Chester (5) vs. #6 Penn (2) : West Chester, having dominated the regular season with a 14-1-1 record, continued their tear. They utilized their depth and speed to overwhelm Penn, clinching the first spot in the final.
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#2 Neumann (2) vs. #4 Millersville (4): This was the game of the weekend. Neumann, the conference newcomers, faced a seasoned Millersville squad. In a massive upset that delighted the local crowd, the #4 Millersville Marauders knocked off the #2 seed, setting up a “David vs. Goliath” final.
The Championship (Sunday, Feb 8)
Final Matchup: #1 West Chester University vs. #4 Millersville University
The final was a rematch of a high-scoring regular-season battle. West Chester entered as the favorites, but Millersville had the momentum of a home crowd and the confidence of a defending champion.
After three periods of grueling hockey and massive OT, West Chester University reclaimed the throne, defeating Millersville 4-3 in OT to win the 2026 CSCHC Championship. With the win, the Golden Rams secured an automatic bid to the ACHA Regional Tournament.