Here are three things learned from ECAC Hockey play over the weekend:
Clarkson takes big step back
With two losses this past weekend, both decisive, it’s hard to imagine Clarkson remaining in the USCHO.com Division I Men’s Poll. And so it goes for the Golden Knights, who have treaded the line between disappointment and mediocrity throughout the year. A three-game winning streak has now been replaced by a three-game losing streak, most recently in dramatic fashion to Brown (5-2 on Friday) and Yale (3-1 on Saturday). Clarkson is 16-13-3 heading into the final regular season weekend.
Yale, Quinnipiac keep on rolling
Yale extended its winning streak to seven games with victories over St. Lawrence (4-3 on Friday) and Clarkson (3-1 on Saturday), though it took some drama against the Saints. Ryan Obuchowski’s third-period goal came with just 1:03 remaining to give Yale the advantage. Joe Snively added two assists. Quinnipiac, however, seems to be getting its opponents’ best games of the season. The Bobcats defeated Rensselaer 5-4 in overtime and tied Union 3-3. Guess that comes with the label of No. 1.
Brown turning a corner
It’s been an abysmal season for the Bears, particularly for talented seniors Nick Lappin and Mark Naclerio, who finish up their final seasons of college hockey in the next few weeks. But Brown finished its final home weekend with a 5-2 victory over Clarkson and a 2-2 tie with St. Lawrence. Lappin scored his 50th career goal in the first period against the Knights, a game in which Brown scored four unanswered goals.
