Here’s a look at the upcoming weekend, highlighted by Union and Harvard’s matchup at Fenway Park tonight. Brian and I will both be there, so be sure to follow along: @SullivanHockey and @Nate_Owen41.
Last Week: 7-9
Overall: 28-23
Friday, January 13
Brown at St. Lawrence
Another one-point weekend isn’t going to do it for Brown. They’ll head north to take on the Saints, who are a point above them in the standings. Brown 3, St. Lawrence 2
Colgate at Princeton
The Raiders are coming off a disappointing non-conference sweep at the hands of Ferris State. Princeton has scored thirty three goals in thirteen conference games, (2.54 per game), while Colgate’s Austin Smith has scored eleven in eight games (1.38 per game) Colgate 5, Princeton 2
Cornell at Quinnipiac
Two defensive-minded teams that will make you bang your head against the ice trying to put the puck in the net. Oh yeah, and Cornell’s Andy Iles and the duo of Eric Hartzell and Dan Clarke for Quinnipiac have all been spectacular in goal this season. Cornell 2, Quinnipiac 1
Union vs Harvard (Frozen Fenway)
It’s been a while since the Dutchmen played an outdoor game, but it was commonplace for almost fifty years for Union, who played outside from 1904 to 1949 and didn’t have a permanent indoor rink until 1975. The weather forecast calls for some wind and a high of 32 degrees (with a low of 12), so it should be pretty balmy when the puck drops. Two of the nation’s best power plays go at it, as the teams are batting a combined .300 on the man advantage (had to get the baseball reference in there). Union 4, Harvard 2
Yale at Clarkson
Clarkson goalie Paul Karpowich’s name is sprinkled all over the national leaderboards. What’s missing is a Golden Knights skater to accompany their top-flight goaltender among the national leaders, as no Golden Knights ranks among the top-50 in points. Yale can score with the best of them, but if the Golden Knights can stay out of the box and neutralize the Bulldogs’ top line of Kenny Agostino, Andrew Miller, and Brian O’Neill, I think they can take this one in their first home game in 53 days. Clarkson 2, Yale 1
Saturday, January 14
Cornell at Princeton
All of the Tigers’ wins have come when they’ve scored three or more goals. Meanwhile, the Big Red have only given up three or more goals five times all season. What’s going to give? I’ll take Cornell here. Cornell 4, Princeton 1
Colgate at Quinnipiac
The Bobcats face the second half of New York’s dynamic traveling duo when the Raiders roll in Saturday night. Quinnipiac’s Hartzell has held opponents to two goals or less in eleven of his last twelve starts, and he’ll need to be on his game against a powerful Colgate offense. The Raiders should narrowly take this one. Colgate 3, Quinnipiac 2
Boston University at Harvard
The Crimson’s cross-town and Beanpot rival meet in one of only two non-conference matchups in the ECAC this weekend. Two key players, Corey Trivino and Charlie Coyle are no longer on the Terriers, and the BU goaltender’s haven’t been anything special to date. Plus, BU averages the most penalty minutes per game in the country, which gives the Crimson’s top-ranked power play a chance to pop some in. But the Terriers should squeak by in a high-scoring game. Boston University 6, Harvard 5
Brown at Clarkson
Can the Bears solve the riddle that is Paul Karpowich? Not many teams have, so give the Golden Knights the edge here. Clarkson 2, Brown 1
Rensselaer at Union
Union goalie Troy Grosenick is tops in the nation in goals-against-average (1.74) and third in save percentage (.932). RPI meanwhile, simply can’t score, averaging 1.52 goals a game, second to last in Division I. Union 5, RPI 0
Dartmouth vs. New Hampshire (Verizon Wireless Center, Manchester N.H.)
The state’s only two Division I teams met in Manchester for the rights to the RiverStone Cup. The Wildcats hold a 6-3-1 edge in the series, but the Big Green should make a dent in that mark. Dartmouth 5, New Hampshire 3
Yale at St. Lawrence
It’s on the road, but I think the Bulldogs have what it takes to get the win here. Yale 3, St. Lawrence 1
