Last time: 7-4-1
Overall: 7-4-1
It’s the first full weekend of conference play for the ECAC this season. Here’s a look at the games on the schedule. All are set to begin at 7 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 6
Rensselaer at Clarkson
The Engineers are coming off an impressive sweep of Union last weekend. Despite that, it’s hard to go against the Golden Knights, who are off to their best start in 24 years. Clarkson wins
Quinnipiac at Colgate
At 6-0, Quinnipiac is one of hottest teams in the country. Colgate has altered between good and bad weekends, and last weekend was bad, as the Raiders gave up 11 goals in a sweep by defending national champions Providence. Colgate should straighten itself out later in the season, but the Bobcats simply look too dangerous in the early going. Quinnipiac wins
Princeton at Cornell
Cornell showed some signs of offense last weekend against Niagara, scoring seven goals in a sweep of the Purple Eagles. Princeton should be improved from last year, but I’m not sure the Tigers will be able to string together enough goals to beat the Big Red. Cornell wins
Yale at Harvard
This is without a doubt the matchup of the weekend, as these long-time rivals should be near the top of the ECAC standings this year. Both are 2-0, although I think Harvard’s lineup is a little deeper, and that should give the Crimson a slight edge. This game will be televised on NESNPLUS in New England. Harvard wins
Brown at Dartmouth
Neither team was great the last time out, as the Bears lost 7-5 to Holy Cross, while Dartmouth was swept by Harvard in a home-and-home series. Goaltending might still be a question mark for Brown, but I think the Bears have enough offense to get the win. Brown wins
Union at St. Lawrence
Coming off a disastrous weekend against RPI, it doesn’t get any easier for the Dutchmen against St. Lawrence. The Saints are off to a 5-2-1 start, and look every bit as strong as last season. St. Lawrence wins
Saturday, Nov. 7
Union at Clarkson
I have a hard time picking Union to get swept in back-to-back weekends, but the Golden Knights are playing incredibly well. Clarkson wins
Princeton at Colgate
For the most part, offense hasn’t been a problem for Colgate so far. The Raiders are allowing just over four goals per game, but I’m not sure the Tigers have the firepower to get into a shootout with Colgate. Don’t discount Colton Phinney and the Princeton defense stealing a win, but the Raiders should be able to string together enough goals to handle the Tigers. Colgate wins
Quinnipiac at Cornell
As noted earlier, the Big Red showed some offensive ability last weekend, but will it be enough to keep up with the Bobcats? Quinnipiac possesses the puck and limits opponent’s chances, so Cornell will need to make the most of its chances. Quinnipiac wins
Brown at Harvard
There could be some goals scored in this game, but I think Harvard has a much deeper lineup and better goaltending. Harvard wins
Rensselaer at St. Lawrence
The Engineers typically play tough against good skating teams like St. Lawrence, although the Saints did take three of four meetings last year. I don’t like using the term “upset” in the regular season, but I think RPI might surprise and head home with a win in Canton. Rensselaer wins
Yale at Dartmouth
Dartmouth looked totally overmatched by Harvard last weekend, and it doesn’t get much easier against the Bulldogs. Yale appears to be ready to complement a stingy defense with an improved offense, and I don’t see Dartmouth able to match the Bulldogs in either of those facets. Yale wins
