Cornell and Rensselaer Sweep Weekend Games
ALBANY, N.Y. -- Cornell swept its opponents at home, while Rensselaer took two on the road in ECAC Hockey League action over the weekend. Four other teams earned splits, and as a result, there was little movement in the standings. However, the Big Red moved up to second place, while Clarkson also moved up one after the weekend's competition. This coming weekend has Harvard and Princeton back in the mix of things and a full slate of league games are on tap as the stretch run officially begins.
Cornell moved into second place after downing Dartmouth and Vermont in front of a packed house at Lynah Rink. After falling to the Big Green and tying the Catamounts earlier in the season, the Big Red earned its four points and moved within one point of first with 3-1 and 2-1 scores. Freshman forward Topher Scott was named the Rookie of the Week after assisting on the game winner vs. Dartmouth and then netting the winning marker vs. Vermont. Cornell continues to lead the country defensively, allowing a measly 1.53 goals per game. And, although the squad is known for its defense, the Big Red is also doing well offensively, averaging 3.32 goals per game.
Rensselaer also swept the weekend and it was a big one, as it marked the first time since the 1985 season that the Engineers took both games in the North Country. Led by Player of the Week Vic Pereira, RPI scored seven goals in the two games for its first back-to-back wins in over two months. Pereira had a goal and an assist each night, including the game-winning goal against St. Lawrence and a helper on the winner vs. Clarkson. Goaltender Andrew Martin was also stellar for the Engineers, making a total of 52 stops in the two games.
While Cornell and Rensselaer went 2-0 on the weekend, Clarkson, Colgate, Dartmouth and St. Lawrence all went 1-1.
The Raiders earned its win against Vermont, with Joey Mormina scoring twice against the Catamounts. The win helped the Raiders hold on to first place, but just barely, with one point more than travel partner Cornell.
Dartmouth, which was delayed by nearly two hours getting to Hamilton, N.Y., because of inclement weather and poor road conditions, wasn't bus weary when it finally pulled into Colgate's Starr Rink on Saturday. The Big Green came right out, established the lead and skated to a solid 6-3 victory. Eric Przepiorka had a hat trick in the game and goalie Dan Yacey had 21 saves in the win.
Clarkson and St. Lawrence both earned wins over visiting Union. Dustin Traylen made 36 saves to earn the Golden Knights first shutout of the season and Steve Zalewski had both goals. For the Saints, Stace Page led the way with his first collegiate hat trick in the 7-3 victory.
In non-league action, Brown skated to a 0-0 overtime tie with then-No. 15 UMass-Lowell. It was the Bears' second-ever scoreless tie, with the other taking place in 1898 -- yes, 1898. Goaltender of the Week Adam D'Alba earned the blanking, making 25 saves. He went on to make 21 more against Providence on Saturday night, as his team skated to a 5-1 victory over its cross-town foe in the Annual Mayor's Cup contest.
Yale also won a non-league game, beating Connecticut 6-2 behind Brad Mills' first collegiate hat trick. Two of his goals were short-handed markers and the third was on the power play.
There is one non-league game this week, with Princeton taking on Bentley Tuesday evening. The weekend features a full slate of league games, with Rensselaer and Union traveling to Vermont and Dartmouth; Brown and Harvard are at Yale and Princeton; and St. Lawrence and Clarkson go to Colgate and Cornell.
Friday's contest between the Golden Knights and the Big Red at Lynah Rink is the CSTV Game of the Week and will start at 8 p.m.
Follow the action with live stats from all the games along with postgame stories and box scores from all the contests online at http://www.ecachockeyleague.com/.
