Here’s a look at ECAC Hockey teams in holiday tournaments this weekend:
Harvard at Mariucci Classic
The Crimson finished their first half with a 3-1-2 stretch, including two straight ties to Union and Rensselaer. While the effort hasn’t been totally unexpected, Harvard seems like a team that should be better than its record may imply. The team is ranked seventh in the country, and the Crimson’s 6-1-3 record certainly doesn’t scream disappointment. But results like the 4-4 tie to struggling Union and a 4-1 loss to Quinnipiac do raise red flags. Nevertheless, Harvard’s appearance in the Mariucci Classic should be a cake walk against three unranked opponents.
Picks: Friday — Harvard 6, Ferris State 1; Saturday — Harvard 4, Minnesota 2
Dartmouth, Union at Ledyard Classic
Both Dartmouth and Union have struggled in their first-half performances, the former much more so than the latter. Dartmouth is 3-7-1 in 11 games, posting an abysmal 42 goals against. Some of the Big Green’s losses have been uglier than others, including a 7-0 loss to Michigan and a 6-2 loss to Quinnipiac. Union, on the other hand, seems to have at least leveled the ship heading into its holiday break. The team sits at an even 7-6-4, has won its last three contests and is 4-1 in its last five. One of those victories, on Dec. 5, was a 3-0 shutout of Union’s hosts this weekend. Lucky for Dartmouth, the Ledyard Classic won’t house a rematch.
Picks: Saturday — Union 3, Merrimack 2; Robert Morris 2, Dartmouth 0; Sunday — Union 4, Robert Morris 1; Merrimack 5, Dartmouth 0
