Last time: 5-3-2We got one more nonconference weekend before conference play begins next weekend. Dartmouth and Harvard have one more tune-up game against the U.S. NTDP U-18 team this weekend before they begin their seasons next week.All games are 7 p.m. or 7:05 p.m. starts unless otherwise noted.Friday, Oct. 20UMass-Lowell at ClarksonThis should be a dandy of a weekend as the River Hawks and Providence travel up to Potsdam. Clarkson has turned some heads this season with their 3-0-1 start. UMass-Lowell has struggled at the beginning of the year, but picked up their first win over Nebraska-Omaha on Saturday. I think Cheel Arena will be rocking. Golden Knights win 4-2Rensselaer at NiagaraThe Engineers played Ohio State tough this past weekend as they came away with two ties. They continue their road trip to two Atlantic Hockey schools. Niagara should give them a competitive test. I expect Dave Smith to pick up his first victory up in Lewiston, N.Y. RPI takes it 3-1.Quinnipiac at NortheasternThis series will be key for both teams as Quinnipiac is trying to get back to the top of the ECAC and Northeastern trying to make that jump as a top tiered Hockey East team. I believe Quinnipiac will have to rely on their defense to stop the skilled Huskies team. Northeastern takes game one 5-3.Providence at St. LawrenceThe Saints will have a test this weekend against Providence and UMass-Lowell. The Friars are coming off a tough defeat against Boston College and I am sure are looking to get back on the ice. That’s not a good combination for the Saints. The Friars win 4-1.Union at RITIt’s been a tough start for the Dutchmen, but the schedule hasn’t been easy. Hopefully their trip to upstate New York will get things back on track. They scored at least three goals this past weekend against UMass and Vermont this past weekend. If they continue that scoring this weekend they should be rewarded with their efforts. Union wins 4-3.Saturday, Oct. 21Providence at ClarksonThis should be a battle. Will the Golden Knights have enough in the tank after a battle against a veteran UMass-Lowell team? The Friars have won both of their games on the road this season so far. I think Providence’s depth will win out. Friars win 3-1.Quinnipiac at NortheasternWhat I am interested in this series if either of the team’s freshmen goalies get playing time this weekend. I think the Saturday game could be the game. Keith Petruzzelli has only appeared in one game for the Bobcats. Cayden Primeau has appeared in two games for the Huskies. I think Quinnipiac takes game two 5-4.Union at NiagaraWhile the Dutchmen have lost talent over the offseason due to pro signing and graduation, they still have talent to earn a weekend sweep. I think this is a weekend where you see Parker Foo and Jack Adams get going offensively for Union. Union wins 6-2.Rensselaer at RITThe Engineers hope they can enter league play with two victories before their home and home series with Union. RIT should be a good challenge for RPI as the Tigers opened the season with a 3-3 tie with Northeastern last Saturday. It should be a close one. RIT wins 3-2.UMass-Lowell at St. LawrenceThe Saints are in a middle of a tough stretch of their season as they traveled to North Dakota last weekend, hosting two of the better Hockey East teams this season this week and going out to Wisconsin next week. No team wants to start the year 0-6, but that a real possibility for the Saints. UMass-Lowell wins 5-2.Colgate at Canisius, 7:35 p.m.The Raiders look to get back on track after being swept by University of New Hampshire last weekend. The Golden Griffins earned a weekend split with Robert Morris. Both teams should rested as it’s their only game of the weekend. Raiders win 5-2.
