Nate:
Last week: 4-4-1
Overall: 17-16-2
Mark:
Last week: 4-4-1
Overall: 16-18-2
Here’s a look at what’s on the schedule for ECAC Hockey this weekend as the Ivy League finally gets underway. All games are at 7 p.m. unless otherwise noted.
Friday, Nov. 1
Brown at Yale, Yale at Brown
Nate: Both teams should be better this season. I agree with Mark and think this will be a split. Friday: Yale 4-1; Saturday: Brown 3-2
Mark: These two ancient rivals tied in a scrimmage at Princeton last weekend. Expect the same result this time: A split. Friday: Yale 4-2: Saturday Brown 4-1
Cornell at Michigan State Friday, Saturday
Nate: Cornell looks to be loaded for this season. Michigan State has a four-game head start, but I think the Big Red still manage to pull off a season-opening sweep. Friday: Cornell 3-1; Saturday: Cornell 2-0
Mark: The Spartans have had trouble scoring. The Big Red are known for their sturdy defensive structure. Advantage Cornell. Friday: Cornell 3-1; Saturday: Cornell 2-0
Colgate at Providence
Nate: The Friars are a tough team to score against and Colgate has struggled to score so far this season. Providence 4-1
Mark: The Raiders have won just once in seven starts. The Friars have one of the highest-scoring teams in the country. Providence 5-2
St. Lawrence at Clarkson, Friday, Saturday
Nate: This should be a good goaltending matchup between St. Lawrence’s Daniel Mannella and Clarkson’s Frank Marotte. But Clarkson has the edge offensively, and should be able to get the sweep. Friday: Clarkson 3-1; Saturday: Clarkson 4-2
Mark: The Larries have held their own so far. The Golden Knights are coming off a split at Wisconsin. Home ice wins out in this matchup. Friday: Clarkson 4-2; Saturday Clarkson 5-2
Dartmouth at Harvard
Nate: This is the season opener for both teams. Harvard lost several important players in the offseason, but still have some talented players like Mark alluded to below. Harvard 4-2
Mark: The Big Green’s top line of Foreman, O’Connor and Graber might be the best in the ECAC. The Crimson have some very promising freshmen in addition to Reilly Walsh, maybe the top offensive defenseman in the league. Harvard 5-3
Union at Canisius 7:35 p.m. Friday, 4:05 Saturday
Nate: The Dutchmen finally broke through with a win last weekend and they’ll face a Canisius team that has really struggled this season. Friday: Union 5-1; Saturday: Union 6-2
Mark: Union has won one of eight. Canisius is 0-3. The Dutchmen sweep on the road. Friday: Union 6-3; Saturday; Union 4-1
Princeton at St. Cloud State, 9:37 EDT Friday; 8:07 EDT Saturday.
Nate: Princeton faces a tough task in its season opening-series at St. Cloud. Not sure the Tigers will be able to keep pace with the Bulldogs. Friday: St. Cloud 4-1; Saturday: St. Cloud 6-4
Mark: St Cloud has played four games. These will be the first games for the Tigers. Feels like a sweep for the Huskies. Friday: St. Cloud 4-1; Saturday: St. Cloud 6-3
Quinnipiac at Arizona State, Friday, Saturday 10:05 EDT
Nate: It’s been a nice start for the Bobcats, who are 4-1-1 all-time against Arizona State. I think that success continues this weekend. Friday: Quinnipiac 5-3; Saturday; Quinnipiac 4-3
Mark: The weather will be better than in Hamden, but it’s a business trip for the Bobcats.
Friday: Quinnipiac 5-3; Saturday: Quinnipiac 3-1
Saturday, November 2:
Dartmouth at New Hampshire
Nate: The Wildcats have struggled defensively this season and I think the Big Green should be able to take advantage of that against its in-state rival. Dartmouth 4-3
Mark: The Wildcats prevail in the battle of the Granite State. New Hampshire 4-3
