Last time: 5-2-4
Overall: 20-9-6
It’s the last full weekend of conference play prior to the holiday break. Here’s a look at the games set for this weekend. All matchups start at 7 p.m. unless noted.
Friday, Dec. 4
Quinnipiac at Yale, 6:35 p.m.
The Bulldogs have only beaten the Bobcats once since 2011, but it came in the 2013 national championship game. The teams tied 2-2 in both matchups last year. Quinnipiac is off to a 13-0-2 start to the season, the best for any Division I team since Colorado College in 1995-96. Goalie Alex Lyon has been his usual standout self for Yale, and the Bulldogs offense has picked up a tick from last year, but it’s tough to pick against the Bobcats. This game will be broadcast by the American Sports Network, and carried on NESN+ in the New England region. Quinnipiac wins
Princeton at Brown
The Bears are on a respectable 2-1-3 run, while Princeton has two wins on the season. Tigers goalie Colton Phinney should slow down the Bears offense, but I think Brown squeaks by. Brown wins
St. Lawrence at Cornell
Each team has been rock solid in both zones, giving up under two goals a game while averaging around three per game. It should be an interesting matchup between the Saints’ speed and the Big Red’s size. I’ll give the slight edge to the home team. Cornell wins
Clarkson at Colgate
The last seven games between the Golden Knights and the Raiders have been decided by one goal or less. But Colgate is a off to a 4-10-1 start, and I’m not sure it has the depth to matchup with Clarkson. Clarkson wins
Dartmouth at Rensselaer
The Engineers had their nine-game unbeaten streak snapped by Harvard in the championship game of the Shillelagh Tournament last Saturday, but are still 4-0-2 in league play. It sounds like goalie Jason Kasdorf may be ready to return from injury, but it also sounds like there’s no guarantee he’ll get his starting job back, as freshman Cam Hackett has been solid in his place. Either way, RPI should have enough to beat a Big Green team that is still trying to establish itself. Rensselaer wins
Harvard at Union, 7:30 p.m.
Union is coming off an impressive road win over Merrimack last weekend after posting only one win in its last eight game. I think the Dutchmen will improve in the second half, but Harvard is dangerous offensively while goalie Merrick Madsen is 5-0 with a 0.60 goals-against-average and .979 save percentage. Harvard wins
Saturday, Dec. 5
Quinnipiac at Brown, 4 p.m.
The Bears have actually given Quinnipiac some trouble over the years. But again, I’m not picking against the Bobcats until I have a reason to, and they haven’t give me a reason so far. Quinnipiac wins
St. Lawrence at Colgate
The last time these teams met, the Raiders knocked the Saints out of the ECAC semifinals in Lake Placid. St. Lawrence looks like a good bet to return to the league’s championship weekend, while the Raiders will need to do some catching up in the second half. St. Lawrence wins
Dartmouth at Union
Neither team has had a great first two months of the season, but I think the Dutchmen have the potential to string together some goals against the Big Green. Union wins
Clarkson at Cornell
These teams have been known for their defense the last few years, but each has added an offensive element so far this season. The Big Red are at home and have put up some solid results that last few weeks. Cornell wins
Harvard at Rensselaer
It’s the second straight meeting for these teams, as Harvard beat RPI 4-0 in the Shillelagh Tournament championship. RPI has been on a great run, but I think the Crimson will be able to generate enough offense to hand the Engineers their first conference loss of the season. Harvard wins
Princeton at Yale
Few teams have had success against the Bulldogs defense and goalie Alex Lyon. I don’t think the Tigers, who are averaging just over two goals per game, will snap that trend Saturday. Yale wins
