Storm warnings
Storms often make people late, but this weekend in the ECAC, a winter storm is making things happen earlier. The league moved up the start times on both Friday and Saturday due to the snowstorm forecast to hit much of the East Coast.
Rensselaer at Brown, Friday, 3 p.m. EST
Last weekend, the Bears grabbed a point from Cornell. Can they do damage to RPI’s playoff push as well?
St. Lawrence at No. 10 Colgate, Friday, 3 p.m. EST
Colgate won in Canton, so the Saints will look to return the favor in Hamilton.
No. 5 Clarkson at Cornell, Friday, 3 p.m. EST
In recent years, the conference lead has often been at stake when these teams have played. There is no such reward this time, but the points are just as vital.
Ohio State at Minnesota State, Friday and Saturday, 2:07 p.m. CST
The Mavericks have demonstrated their improvement in recent weeks. Now is the time to show more tangible improvement in the win column.
No. 3 Minnesota at St. Cloud State, Friday and Saturday, 3:07 p.m. CST
Through coach Eric Rud’s first eight games versus Minnesota, the Gophers have outscored the Huskies 60-1.
Connecticut at No. 6 Northeastern, Friday, 7 p.m. EST; No. 6 Northeastern at Connecticut, Saturday, 3 p.m. EST
It’s offense versus defense when the two squads of Huskies square off in a home-and-home. Earlier this month, offense won as Northeastern came away with the points on home ice, 5-1.
Mercyhurst at Lindenwood, Friday, 6 p.m. CST, and Saturday, 1 p.m. CST
The Lakers retained their grip on the top spot in the CHA last week. They’ll need to avoid a letdown to do so again as they face the Lions in St. Charles.
Vermont at No. 1 Boston College, Friday, 7 p.m. EST, and Saturday, 2 p.m. EST
The Eagles are due to just explode against someone. Sorry, UVM. Last year, the Catamounts were able to keep things from getting out of hand, but BC is a ticking bomb.
No. 7 Bemidji State at Minnesota-Duluth, Friday, 7:07 p.m. CST, and Saturday, 4:07 p.m. CST
The Bulldogs have to be asking, “When will this run of ranked opponents end?” Not until next week. However, UMD played two tight games in Bemidji, so this weekend could bring its first 2016 win.
Union at Brown, Saturday, 1 p.m. EST
If the Dutchwomen don’t win here, it is looking like they aren’t going to win at all.
Rensselaer at Yale, Saturday, 1 p.m. EST
One has to go back to 2007 to find a year where both the Engineers and the Bulldogs made the playoffs, and given they look to be fighting for the same turf, that likely doesn’t change this season.
New Hampshire at Maine, Saturday and Sunday, 2 p.m. EST
What’s wrong with Maine? The Wildcats hope that the Black Bears don’t figure that out in the next few days. Maine beat UNH by four to kick off the season for both teams.
No. 5 Clarkson at Colgate, Saturday, 3 p.m. EST
The Raiders’ overtime win in Potsdam was the most impressive result of what has been a turnaround season. The teams share third place entering the weekend.
Providence at Boston University, Saturday, 3 p.m. EST; Boston University at Providence, Sunday, 2 p.m. EST
After a tough game at Quinnipiac, the Terriers will attempt to get well at the Friars’ expense.
No. 8 North Dakota at No. 2 Wisconsin, Saturday, 2:07 p.m. CST, and Sunday, 1:07 p.m. CST
I don’t expect that the Fighting Hawks are going to get the warmest of receptions in Madison. However, they really need points to hang onto their newly gained third-place standing.
Dartmouth at Harvard, Saturday, 4 p.m. EST
The Big Green haven’t won in their last 11 games, and the home team has lost three in a row. When’s the last time these two have played when they’ve both been scuffling this badly? The good news is that somebody is going to get much-needed points.
No. 9 Princeton at Connecticut, Monday, 7 p.m. EST
The Tigers take to the ice for the first time in 16 days. This contest could produce a top-notch goalie battle between senior goalies Kimberly Newell and Elaine Chuli.
No. 5 Clarkson at Cornell, Thursday, 7 p.m. EST
St. Lawrence dropped the Golden Knights in their first game as defending NCAA champs, but Clarkson has rattled off five head-to-head wins since then.
