A look ahead at this weekend’s matchups in ECAC Hockey:
Friday, Feb. 12
Princeton at No. 20 Clarkson
A five-game winning streak has put the Golden Knights back into the top 20. It’s been an impressive run and has put No. 20 Clarkson back into the hunt for playoff positioning. With momentum on its side, at home against rebuilding Princeton, this one shouldn’t be a problem. Keyword: shouldn’t. Clarkson 4, Princeton 1
No. 10 Yale at Colgate
Wins against Dartmouth, Rensselaer and Harvard have pulled the Bulldogs up the rankings headed into the season’s final stretch. Now sitting at No. 10, Yale faces a Colgate team that is 11 points under .500 and has lost five of its last six games. With these two teams going in opposite directions, it’ll be hard not to pick the obvious outcome. Yale 5, Colgate 2
Brown at No. 15 Cornell
After finally stopping the bleeding, both literally and figuratively for Cornell coach Mike Schafer, the Big Red look to continue getting back on track. A matchup against Brown, winners of only four games this season and the sole occupier of the ECAC basement, might just be what the doctor ordered. Cornell 4, Brown 1
Union at Dartmouth
Dartmouth’s 5-1 loss to Yale last weekend pushed the Big Green out of the top 20 rankings. They face a hungry Union team that still has one of the worst records within the conference, though its overall record is much more favorable. The Dutchmen have won only once in their past six games, though the victory came against highly ranked Yale. Union 3, Dartmouth 3
No. 18 Rensselaer at No. 9 Harvard
The first of two great matchups this weekend. RPI has slipped in its past three games, all losses in outstanding fashion against St. Lawrence, Clarkson and Yale. Though its recent stretch has not been favorable, the Engineers still have the foundation of a solid first half to turn things around relatively quickly. For Harvard, with rival Yale right on its tail, every win counts. In their past six, the Crimson are 3-3. Harvard 4, RPI 3
No. 1 Quinnipiac at St. Lawrence
Given St. Lawrence’s past few games, it seems the turnaround may be complete. A matchup against the No. 1 Bobcats should be a good measuring stick for the Saints this weekend. Is the five-game losing streak of early January really in the past? Or does its remnants still linger? Quinnipiac 2, St. Lawrence 1
Saturday, Feb. 13
No. 1 Quinnipiac at No. 20 Clarkson
An interesting matchup, particularly one for the Knights, who are trying to stake a much more permanent position in college hockey’s top 20. But this puts Clarkson in a vulnerable position. Quinnipiac, you could argue, has less to lose here. For Clarkson, it’s time to make a statement. If it doesn’t, it might lose its chance. Quinnipiac 3, Clarkson 0
No. 10 Yale at No. 15 Cornell
Game of the weekend, part two. Yale might have caught the Big Red at the right time, still recovering from its most recent woes. The Bulldogs have had some success against the top 20’s fringe teams, including RPI and Dartmouth. For Cornell, Saturday’s game against Yale will be a chance to signal the turnaround complete. Cornell 3, Yale 2
No. 18 Rensselaer at Dartmouth
The outlook on this game could change depending on how beat up RPI is after its game against Harvard on Friday. Dartmouth seems adamant about not going down quietly this season, and a team that it has already beaten this season might be a chance to gain some ground. Dartmouth 4, RPI 2
Union at No. 9 Harvard
If Jimmy Vesey and Harvard can take care of RPI, then Union should feel like a cake walk. The Dutchmen hold one of the worst records within the conference this season. And depending on how well Yale does this weekend, Harvard will want to maintain its positioning. Harvard 5, Union 2
Princeton at St. Lawrence
Probably not a very enticing matchup on paper, but St. Lawrence still has some fighting to do and can’t afford to take games against rebuilding Princeton for granted. For the Tigers, however, this might be a good chance to pounce on yet another win in Ron Fogarty’s second season. St. Lawrence 3, Princeton 1
