Weekend Update: Ringing in the New Year

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ALBANY, N.Y. -- Home-ice advantage was the order of the evening Friday as home teams posted a 3-0-1 record, including Princeton upending Dartmouth in league play, and Cornell and Union recording non-league wins over visiting Niagara and Connecticut, respectively.

At Princeton 5, Dartmouth 2: The Tigers rang in the New Year in fine fashion getting a goal and an assist from freshman Mike Kramer and senior Landis Stankievech to knock off visiting Dartmouth in a league contest before national television audience on ESPNU. Princeton, which earned its second consecutive victory, jumped out to a 3-0 lead and held off the Big Green to improve its conference record to 5-4. Big Green freshman defenseman Joe Stejskal registered his first collegiate point in the contest, assisting on a goal by Kyle Reeds. Princeton threw 45 shots at the Dartmouth goal, marking the first time this season the Tigers have amassed 40 of more shots and the first time the Big Green have yielded 40 or more shots. Dartmouth compiled 24 shots on goal. Sophomore goaltender Zane Kalemba made 22 saves in goal for the Tigers; Dartmouth netminder Mike Devine stopped 40 shots.

At Quinnipiac 3, Harvard 3 (ot): The Crimson and Bobcats each earned a crucial point in the league standings, battling to a deadlock at the TD Banknorth Sports Center in a contest televised live on the New England Sports Network (NESN). The Crimson rallied from a two-goal first-period deficit to earn the tie. Bryan Leitch, Ben Nelson and Dan Travis scored first-period goals as No. 18-ranked Quinnipiac, which extended its unbeaten streak to six games (5-0-1) jumped out to a 3-1 lead.  Travis' tally came with only 16 seconds remaining in the opening stanza. Harvard, which got a first-period tally from Michael Biega, rallied to tie the score in the second stanza as Michael Taylor and Chad Morin lit the red light. ECAC Hockey Goaltender of the Week Bud Fisher stopped 21 Crimson shots, while Kyle Richter turned aside 17 shots from the Bobcats.

At Cornell 6, Niagara 0: The Big Red erupted for their largest offensive output since February 17, 2007 and rolled past Niagara. Michael Kennedy and Evan Barlow led the offensive outburst with two goals apiece. Cornell, which improved its overall record at 5-5-2, scored five times after the midway point of the contest, including a pair of power-play goals.  Chris Fontas kicked off 2008 in memorable fashion netting his first goal as a Cornellian just three minutes into the first period. Cornell finished the night 2-for-5 on the power play. Netminder Ben Scrivens posted 17 saves for his second straight home shutout and, in the process, extended his home shutout streak to 152 minutes, 15 seconds, dating back to the Big Red's 5-3 win over Quinnipiac earlier this season. The last goal allowed at Lynah Rink by the sophomore netminder came on Mike Atkinson's penalty shot goal with 7:15 to play in the second period on November 3.

At Union 4, Connecticut 1: The Dutchmen opened 2008 by skating past the visiting Huskies as junior defenseman Brendan Milnamow factored in three third-period goals. The blueliner assisted on a pair of goals before recording an empty-netter for a career-high three points.  Stephane Boileau, Adam Presizniuk  and Josh Coyle  each netted a goal for the Dutchmen, who improved to 4-1-3 at home.  The Dutchmen erupted for a season-high 42 shots on net, and finished 2-for-7 on the power play.  Union goaltender Justin Mrazek stopped 15 shots in his fourth win of the season.