Two teams that have finished first and second in Hockey East in some order for the last three seasons, and four of the last five, collide for the first time this year.
No. 2 Boston College at Boston University, Saturday, 3 p.m. EST, Boston University at Boston College, Tuesday, 7 p.m. EST
In recent years, this has been must-see action. Boston University has defeated Boston College at least once in every season but the Terriers’ first, and even then they managed a tie. After their recent three-game losing streak that culminated with a 7-1 whipping at Northeastern, it looked doubtful that would be continuing this year. After BU’s own 7-1 win over Yale on Tuesday, the team’s most convincing win so far, the Terriers are riding a three-game win-streak heading into their upcoming home-and-home series with the Eagles. Is that a sign they’ve figured things out, or just that they found three opponents that were struggling even worse? BC looks to provide some answers. With Northeastern’s Kendall Coyne away at Four Nations, it’s likely that BC’s Alex Carpenter will retake the country’s points lead. The Eagles have only allowed one goal in their last six games and are riding a streak of three straight shutouts.
No. 8 Northeastern at Maine, Friday, 7 p.m. EST
The Huskies look to continue their winning ways in Coyne’s absence. They came up short in their most recent game in Orono in January. The Black Bears sit at .500 both overall and in the league after their four-game winning streak ended at Vermont.
Mercyhurst at Penn State, Friday, 7 p.m. EST, and Saturday, 2 p.m. EST
The Lakers suffered a painful sweep in Happy Valley last year that contributed greatly to the end of their run of NCAA tournament appearances. Now they return to the scene of the crime, fresh off their first wins of this season. The Nittany Lions have hit a rough patch of their own and are winless in their last four tries.
Cornell at No. 10 Princeton, Friday, 7 p.m. EST, Cornell at No. 7 Quinnipiac, Saturday, 4 p.m. EST
After unexpected struggles on home ice last week against the Rensselaer and Union travel pair, the Big Red really need to get some points out of this weekend. Their power play has yet to click in 16 opportunities. The Bobcats suffered their first loss of the season. Princeton is one of the country’s four remaining unbeaten teams and one of three with perfect records.
Four Nations Cup, championship game, Sunday, 8:30 a.m. EST
A pair of preliminary round games on Saturday remain to finalize the participants, but the event looks on track for another Canada versus United States final.
