Every team outside of the Ivy schools is now at least two games into its season. Here’s a look at some notables in the the early going:
Rookies make an impact: Several freshman made their presence felt immediately over the last two weekends. Clarkson goal Steve Perry stopped 54-of-55 shots in a pair of wins for the Golden Knights, including a 2-0 shutout of Niagara in his first collegiate game last weekend. Quinnipiac freshman Sam Anas, Connor Clifton and Derek Smith each had a goal in the Bobcats’ 4-1 win over Alaska Fairbanks Saturday, while Saint Lawerence defensemen Gavin Bayreuther had two goals and an assist in the Saints’ sweep of Maine. Union got its first win of the year with some help from forward Michael Pontarelli, who had two goals, and goalie Alex Sakellaropoulos, who got the start Saturday against Bowling Green after coming in Friday in relief of an injured Colin Stevens. And not to be left out, forward Andrew Black has two goals in his first three games for Colgate. It’s far, far too early to lock these players in for any end-of-the year awards, but they certainly got their collegiate careers off to a good start.
Engineers hand out a beating…and then take one: Whatever momentum Sacred Heart got from knocking off No.1 UMass-Lowell Friday night was quickly deadened by RPI, who scored three goals in the second period en route to a 6-0 win Saturday at Webster Bank Arena. But just like the Pioneers, RPI couldn’t carry any of that momentum over to their next game, as Boston College scored seven goals on 23 shots in a commanding 7-2 win. It wasn’t the best game for Jason Kasdorf, who was pulled after giving up six goals on 15 shots.
Different year, same result: For the second year in a row, St. Lawrence swept Hockey East opponent Maine in the season’s early going. Last year’s sweep took place in Orono, with these year’s wins coming in Canton against first-year head coach (and former Yale assistant) Red Gendron. Senior forward Greg Carey, who led the NCAA with 28 goals last season, added two goals Saturday and finished with five points on the weekend.
