Finally, the first games of the season for the interlocking schedule of the ECAC East and the NESCAC conferences. Having just started practicing on November 1, the teams are poised to take the ice against an opponent wearing a different color shirt for the first time this season. While the official conference previews will be on the site next week, here are my predictions for Week 1 in league play.
Friday, November 19, 2010
Tufts at Middlebury: The Tufts Jumbos travel to their house of horrors at Middlebury to open the season. Scott Barchard is great, but the Panthers have too many weapons. Middlebury 5-2
Connecitcut College at Williams: A very deep Williams team hosts a Connecticut College team looking for a much better start than last season. Williams 4-1
Amherst at Wesleyan: A re-tooled Wesleyan squad takes on an Amherst team that doesn’t give up many goals and has been dominant on special teams. Amherst 3-0
Hamilton at Trinity: In what should be the game of the weekend, the high flying Hamilton Continentals will travel to Trinity and look for a way to solve goaltender Wes Vesprini. Hamilton 3-2
Mass.-Boston at Bowdoin: Mass.-Boston makes the trip to “The Sid” to take on a potent Bowdoin team. Bowdoin 5-3.
Babson at Colby: This should be a fast-paced game featuring to the league’s best goaltenders. Tie 3-3
University of New England at Norwich: The second year in league play still has Brad Holt’s UNE squad facing the defending National Champions at Norwich for the unveiling of the championship banner. Norwich 6-1
Southern Maine at St. Michaels: Southern Maine takes has struggled in the past at St. Michaels, but not tonight. USM 4-2
Castleton at St. Anselm: Castleton looks to get off to a quick start this season but has a challenge in facing Coleman Noonan and the rest of St. Anselm’s improved squad. St. Anselm 5-3
Skidmore at New England College: The up-tempo Skidmore Thoroughbreds should battle well against NEC. Tie 4-4
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Tufts at Williams: Two straight games of high pace have the same result. Williams 4-2
Connecticut College at Middlebury: The Panthers start the season strong. Middlebury 5-2
Hamilton at Wesleyan: Hamilton looks for its first 2-0 league start in many years by taking on Wesleyan. Hamilton 3-2
Amherst at Trinity: Trinity and Amherst match-up two terrific goaltenders in Wes Vesprini and Cole Anderson. Just hope somebody scores a goal. Amherst 2-1
Babson at Bowdoin: One of D-III hockey’s best rivalries, this will surely be a track meet. Tie 4-4
Mass.-Boston at Colby: Colby looks to hold serve at home. Colby 3-2
Southern Maine at Norwich: Norwich comes down after the Opening Night adrenaline rush to face Southern Maine but don’t come down too far. Norwich 5-4
University of New England at St. Michaels: UNE travels to Winooski and shows St. Mike’s what a difference a year makes. UNE 4-3
Skidmore at St. Anselm: This game will provide a lot of action, shots and a busy night for two goaltenders. St. Anselm 4-3
Castleton at New England College: On the small sheet at NEC, there will be a lot of physical play when Castleton comes to town. Tie 3-3
The season is here and I hope everyone is ready for another great season of college hockey. Drop the Puck!