Overall 28-18-3
Hope everyone had a good Thanksgiving. It’s a short break for much of the ECAC, with several teams resuming play this weekend. All games are 7 p.m. unless noted.
Friday, Nov. 29
Princeton at Michigan State, 7:05 p.m.
Princeton snapped Quinnipiac’s 13-game unbeaten streak last time out, and heads to Munn Ice Arena for its first game against the Spartans in 33 years. Michigan State is on a three-game losing skid while averaging under two goals per game on the season, while getting subpar performances on both special teams units. Look for the Tigers to capitalize on that. Princeton wins
St. Lawrence at North Dakota, 8:37 p.m. ET
The Saints can score on almost anyone, but the real question will be how many goals they can prevent. North Dakota’s offense hasn’t been lighting it up this season, although they have scored three or more goals in four of their last five games. North Dakota wins
Saturday, Nov. 30
Harvard at Dartmouth
This is the ECAC’s only conference game on the weekend. Harvard is on a solid run of late, while Dartmouth is still looking for its first win. The Crimson’s duo of Raphael Girard and Steve Mihalek have both been strong in net, while Harvard’s penalty kill is one of the best in the country. I’m not sure if the Big Green will be able to generate enough offense, regardless of who is in net. Harvard wins
Brown at Providence (28th Annual Mayor’s Cup)
Brown is in the midst of a three-game losing streak heading into a matchup with No. 4 Providence. The Bears have a way of stymieing skilled teams like the Friars, who play a similar style to Quinnipiac, based on Wednesday night’s game against the Bobcats. Still, the Bears will need to generate some offense if they want to get past Jon Gillies and the Providence defense, who are giving up just two goals per game. Providence wins
Massachusetts at Quinnipiac
These teams are almost polar opposites, at least statistically. The Minutemen are being outscored by around a goal-and-half per game, while the Bobcats are outscoring opponents by roughly the same margin. Quinnipiac likes to control the puck and get it up ice quick. I’m not sure if the Minutemen will have an answer for that. Quinnipiac wins
Merrimack at Yale
This is the first meeting between these teams in 15 years. The Warriors have really struggled this season, while Yale has gotten off to a strong start thanks to a balanced offense and solid production from freshman goalies Alex Lyon and Patrick Spano. I don’t see any reason to pick against the Bulldogs, especially at home. Yale wins
Cornell vs. Boston University, 8 p.m. (Red Hot Hockey at Madison Square Garden)
Cornell is on a four-game winning streak heading to the biennial meeting between these two teams at Madison Square Garden. Big Red goalie Andy Iles will look to start a new streak after giving way to freshman Mitch Gilliam Tuesday night, snapping the senior’s 80-game consecutive start streak. Iles, along with a potent Cornell power play, should be the difference against a BU team that is at .500 this season. Cornell wins
St. Lawrence at North Dakota, 8:07 p.m. ET
The Saints should come home with at least one win…I’m just not sure if I’m picking the right night. St. Lawrence wins
Union at Penn State
Union returns from its exam break to travel to Penn State, a team they hosted almost a year ago during the Nittany Lion’s first year of Division I competition. The Dutchmen swept that series, but didn’t play particularly well, leading to a bit of a dry spell that carried over into the second half. Union should be well-rested and sharp; the two points are there for the taking. Union wins
Sunday, Dec. 1
Princeton at Michigan State, 1:05 p.m.
The hosts should rebound from Friday’s loss with a win in a rare 1:05 p.m. Sunday college hockey game. Michigan State wins
Union at Penn State
I think the Dutchmen will wrap up the sweep and head back into conference play on a five-game winning streak. Union wins
