Weekend Preview: Big Green and Crimson Begin League Play
ALBANY, NY -- After eventful warm-up's and
preseason contests, fans will be teased with an ECAC Hockey
match-up, as the first official league game of the season takes
place with No. 20 Harvard hosting Dartmouth Friday. In
addition to this, three ECAC Hockey teams; Brown, Princeton and
Yale are set to tango in the Showcase at Meehan this weekend, while
Quinnipiac and Union are involved in non-conference games and
Clarkson and Colgate host exhibition games.
Quinnipiac at UMass-Lowell & At Quinnipiac,
Connecticut: The Bobcats begin play early this week
as they head out of Hamden for a mid-week battle at UMass-Lowell
Thursday. This will mark the first meeting between the
Bobcats and the River Hawks all-time. Coming off it tenth
consecutive winning season at the Division I level, Quinnipiac has
scored nine goals in its first two games this season with junior
forward Brandon Wong leading the way registering three.
Senior forward Bryan Leitch currently leads the nation in assists
per game (2.00). The Bobcats continue play Saturday as they
host Connecticut, who are coming off a weekend sweep of defending
Atlantic Hockey champion Army. Quinnipiac owns a 13-10-2
record over the Huskies, including a 7-5-1 record at home.
At Union, Connecticut: Fresh off its
first-ever tournament championship on US soil, the 2008 Governor's
Cup, the Dutchmen opens its doors to Messa Rink for their
home-opener verus Connecticut Friday. Governor's Cup Most
Outstanding Player sophomore goaltender Corey Milan boasts a solid
2.50 GAA and .910 save percentage through four games in the young
season. Union is 42-34-15 all-time at home under head coach
Nate Leaman. Union leads the all-time series versus the
Huskies, owning a 5-0-1 mark, including a 4-1 victory January 4,
2008.
At No. 20 Harvard, Dartmouth/US Under-18 Team & At
Dartmouth, No. 15/14 Vermont: No. 20 Harvard will
play two games this weekend, including opening ECAC Hockey play by
hosting Dartmouth Friday. The Crimson showcases 17 returning
letterwinners on their roster who continue to excel using team
speed, discipline and special teams, while improving at both ends
of the ice during preseason action. The Crimson also welcomes
back four of its top six scorers from last season, including
forwards junior Doug Rogers and sophomore Michael Biega. The
following evening Harvard will play its last exhibition game of the
season, hosting the US Under-18 Team at Bright Hockey Center.
In addition to the match-up versus Harvard this weekend, Dartmouth
will play its second nationally ranked team this weekend, as it
hosts non-conference foe Vermont Sunday. The Big Green has a
good mix with the newcomers and veterans on their roster, including
18 underclassmen. Junior forward Joe Gaudet is the top
returning goal scorer for the Big Green. He notched ten goals
during the 2007-08 season, which tied him for second on the
team.
At No. 14/15 Clarkson, Carleton (Ex):
Battling No. 1-ranked Colorado College to draws (1-1 and 2-2) on
consecutive nights last weekend, the Golden Knights now have the
confidence that they can play with any team in the nation.
Before heading into ECAC Hockey conference play, No. 14/15 Clarkson
will play one final tune-up game as it hosts Carleton for an
exhibition contest Saturday. The Golden Knights own a 15-1-1
all-time record against Carleton. The teams last played
during the 1970-71 campaign with Clarkson earning an 8-3
victory.
At Colgate, Ottawa (Ex): The Raiders take a
week off from their regular-season and host Ottawa in an exhibition
match-up Saturday at Starr Rink. It will be the third meeting
between the two squads with the series tied at 1-1. Colgate
has killed off 15 consecutive penalties, including 21 of 22
opponent advantages this year so far.
At Brown, Princeton/Yale & Yale/Princeton vs. Ontario
IT: The Bears open their regular-season action this
weekend playing host to Princeton Friday as part of the "Showcase
at Meehan," a four-team event featuring double-headers October 31st
and November 1st. The Tigers return 21 players from a team
that captured the league tournament title last season.
Princeton has been selected by both the media and coaches to
successfully defend its crown. The Tigers return nine of
their top 10 scorers, including reigning league Player of the Year
Lee Jubinville and second team all-ecac selection Brett
Wilson. Princeton will also play another tune-up the
following day of the "Showdown" against Ontation IT. Yale is
the third ECAC Hockey team participating in the tournament.
Yale holds an 80-67-8 all-time record versus the Bears, including
taking the last four match-ups.
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