ECAC Hockey picks: Feb. 16-17

Here’s a look at the second-to-last weekend of the regular season in ECAC Hockey. All games start at 7 p.m.

Last time: 8-5

Overall:  54-32-11

Yale at Colgate

Yale’s offense has been clicking lately, as the Bulldogs have scored at least three goals in four straight games, all wins. Colgate has only two wins over its last nine games, and has had trouble scoring goals. Sophomore goalie Colton Point missed both of the Raiders’ games last weekend, but even if he returns, the Bulldogs should be able to put together enough offense for the win.  Yale wins

Brown at Cornell                             

The Bears have allowed sixteen goals over their last three games. That’s not good for a team that can’t really afford to get into shootout-type games. Cornell’s defense has been airtight lately, so any sort of offense the Big Red can generate should be enough. Cornell wins

Clarkson at Dartmouth 

Dartmouth ended Clarkson’s fifteen-game unbeaten streak with a 3-2 win over the Golden Knights on Jan. 20. Clarkson has struggled to get much momentum since then, as it is 1-2-3 since then and has fallen into a tie for second place with Union.  The Big Green have been playing pretty well lately, but I’ve got to think Clarkson turn it around entering the final weeks of the season. Clarkson wins                          

St. Lawrence at Harvard                              

St. Lawrence has been playing better lately, while Harvard is just 2-4 over the last month. I’m tempted to pick the Saints, but I think the Crimson will find a way to pull out a win. Harvard wins

Rensselaer at Princeton

The Tigers scored seven goals at Brown last Friday and then allowed seven goals against Yale the next night.  I think the former version of Princeton will show up against RPI, as I’m not sure the Engineers will be able to contain the Tigers’ forwards. Princeton wins

Union at Quinnipiac

Union has lost one game over the last month, a stretch that has moved them into a tie for second place with Clarkson. The Bobcats have been playing better lately, but I think the Dutchmen’s scoring depth will be the difference. Union wins                    

Saturday, Feb. 17

Brown at Colgate

Even with the Raiders recent struggles, I think they should be strong enough defensively and generate just enough offense to beat the Bears. Colgate wins

Yale at Cornell

The Bulldogs scored a late goal to force a 3-3 tie in the first game between these teams back on Jan. 12. It should be another close game, but I think the Big Red are balanced enough to counter Yale’s offense and hold on for the win. Cornell wins

St. Lawrence at Dartmouth         

Both teams have been better in the second half, but I’m going go with the home team in what should be a close matchup. Dartmouth wins

Clarkson at Harvard                       

These teams skated to a wild 6-6 tie last month in Potsdam. With Harvard leading scorer Ryan Donato playing for the United States in the Olympics, I think it will be a tighter defensive game this time around, and that should benefit the Golden Knights Clarkson wins

Union  at Princeton       

Both these teams can score, but I think Union is better in its own zone, and that should be the difference. Union wins  

Rensselaer at Quinnipiac                            

RPI has won exactly one game in each month of the season, including a 2-1 win over then-No.1 Cornell on Feb. 3. If the Engineers get a second win in February, I don’t think it will be against the Bobcats. Quinnipiac wins