This weekend featured a lot of close games for ECAC Hockey members – five of the dozen tilts were decided by a goal, or not decided at all – but who’s surprised? Welcome to another coronary-inducing year in the tightest league in all the land.
Clarkson so close, yet so far
The Golden Knights bit off a big chunk of challenge by taking on Colorado College in the rarified Rocky air last weekend, and while they put up quite a fight, ‘Tech retreated without two tight losses. The Knights scored three third-period goals on Friday to strike some fear into the Tigers, but the hosts – once leading 5-1 – held on for a 5-4 win. Clarkson secured three separate one-goal leads on Saturday, but couldn’t make them last in another 5-4 defeat.
The results are disappointing, but the Knights nonetheless established themselves as a team not to be trifled with. CC is a tough place to play regardless of the Tigers’ quality as a team, and ‘Tech held tough all the way. Lots to work on, for sure, but not an outright disaster either. Biggest question mark for the team as it prepares for Holy Cross in Potsdam on Saturday? Greg Lewis or Cody Rosen: Each surrendered five goals last weekend, and neither boasts a save rate above .890.
Union bounces back
The league was stunned by Merrimack’s uppity 4-1 win in Schenectady two weeks back, but the Dutchmen responded appropriately by dispatching Bowling Green in straight sets this week.
The Union power play was a combined 5/9 (3/3 on Friday, 2/6 on Saturday), which is a pretty nice success rate, and the penalty kill was a tolerable 8/10. Juniors Mat Bodie (a defenseman) and Daniel Carr combined for three goals and nine points. Troy Grosenick pulled his save percentage up to .908, which is a decent number all things considered.
The U started its five-game road swing with two W’s. The Dutch have next week off in anticipation of away games at American International and Connecticut on Oct. 26 and 27, respectively.
Over quota?
I was about to sing a song of a thousand apologies for doubting the Colgate offense in my season preview, but it appears that I still have some more time to work on the lyrics.
The Raiders – 10-2 victors over Niagara a week ago – mustered a single goal (while surrendering eight) at perennially elite Miami this weekend. It’s a tough place to play, the RedHawks are certainly a tough opponent, and Colgate is still young and learning… no reason to pound the panic button yet… but I wouldn’t be even remotely surprised to find the 10-goal output last Tuesday to be the productive high point of the season for the ambitious Raiders.
It’s a work in progress. Lots of games yet to be played.
