Weekly Release: Standings Tighten
ALBANY, NY -- With the race on for the
regular-season crown, games last week were rigid affairs.
Games Friday and Saturday proved to be two different stories, as
the home team prevailed in six of the seven games involving ECAC
Hockey teams Friday, while Saturday only one home team earned a
victory. As a result of last week's efforts, nine out of 12
contests were decided by two goals or fewer.
Beginning to find its stride, Princeton went a perfect 3-0 last
weekend, including posting two league wins, earning four
points. The Tigers began the week with a convincing 8-1 win
over Connecticut Monday night at Hobey Baker Rink. A
five-point performance from Eric Meland sparked the Tigers'
offense. Meland had three goals and two assists in the
win. Princeton outshot UConn 48-25. Each Princeton
goaltender played a period with Zane Kalemba stopping nine shots in
the first and earning the win. Mike Condon stopped seven in
the second and Alan Reynolds had eight saves in the third
period.
The Tigers would carry the momentum into the weekend action as Marc
Hagel's late second period goal stood up to help the Tigers edge
Harvard Friday night at the Bright Hockey Center, 2-1. Conor
Morrison scored the lone goal for the Crimson with assists going to
Louis Leblanc and Chris Huxley. Princeton goaltender Zane
Kalemba stood tall over those final minutes, stopping 13 of his 34
saves in the final stanza including a flurry late while the Tigers
skated a man down. Harvard outshot the Tigers 35-34 although
Princeton outshot Harvard 15-11 in the first two periods.
With the win, the Tigers took three of a possible four points from
the Crimson on the season.
Princeton completed its first ECAC Hockey weekend sweep of the
season with a 5-3 win Saturday afternoon at Dartmouth. Kevin
Lohry had two goals in the win, including the game-winner.
Princeton outshot Dartmouth 35-30 in the win. Zane Kalemba
made 27 saves for the win, while Jody O'Neill and James Mello
combined to make 30 saves in the loss. Princeton has now won
three straight games for the first time this season.
Dartmouth would pick up another league win and two important points
with a 4-3 victory over Quinnipiac Friday. Dustin Walsh
(2g-0a-2pts), Nick Walsh (0g-2a-2pts), and Evan Stephens
(1g-1a-2pts) each recorded multiple point nights for the Big
Green. Jody O'Neill got the win and finished with 16 saves,
while Dan Clarke had 16 stops for Quinnipiac.
Cornell took over sole possession of first-place in the ECAC Hockey
standings with a weekend sweep of North Country foes St. Lawrence
and Clarkson. Patrick Kennedy scored the game-winning goal
with 1:37 left to play in the third period to give the Cornell
men's hockey team a 2-1 win over St. Lawrence Friday night at Lynah
Rink. Ben Scrivens stopped 15 shots in the win to become
Cornell's all-time career saves leader.
Locke Jillson recorded his first career multi-point game and senior
Blake Gallagher had a goal and three assists as the Cornell scored
a 5-3 victory over Clarkson Saturday night at Lynah Rink. The
win moved Cornell atop the ECAC Hockey standings, two points clear
of a three-way tie for second with one fewer game played.
Brian Day scored twice and Alex Evin turned aside 20 shots as
Colgate completed the regular-season sweep with a convincing 6-1
victory over visiting Clarkson, Friday evening at Starr Rink.
The Raiders outshot Clarkson 44-21. Colgate's power-play
finished two of seven, while the Raiders' successfully killed off
five of six Golden Knight man advantages.
Mike McKenzie was credited with the game-winning goal with 42
seconds remaining in overtime as visiting St. Lawrence edged
Colgate 3-2, Saturday evening at Starr Rink. Colgate outshot
the Saints 33-31 on the evening. Kain Tisi finished with 31
saves for the win, while Alex Evin turned aside 28 shots.
With the Bears enjoying a two-man advantage to start overtime,
senior Aaron Volpatti lifted Brown to a thrilling 4-3 victory over
Rensselaer when he scored his seventh goal of the year just 47
seconds into the extra period. Harry Zolnierczyk
(0g-0g-2pts), Bobby Farnham (1g-1a-2pts), and Sean McMonagle
(0g-2a-2pts) each earned multi-point nights for the Bears.
Paul Kerins netted two goals in defeat for the Engineers.
Mike Clemente finished with 27 saves, while Allen York made 21 for
RPI. I
The Bears would earn their third league point over the weekend as
Tyler Fernandez picked a great time to score his first career goal,
helping to lift Brown 2-2, overtime tie with Union, with the
game-tying goal at 12:51 of the second period. Mike Clemente
finished with 31 saves for Brown, while Keith Kinkaid made 32 for
Union, as Brown held a 34-33 advantage in shots.
Brendan Mason's two goals were the difference as the Bulldogs took
a 4-3 contest over Union before a sold-out crowd Friday night at
Ingalls Rink. Between the pipes, freshman Keith Kinkaid made
36 saves in his 14th start of the season. At the other end,
Nick Maricic turned away 22 shots. Both penalty kill units
excelled at the Dutchmen killed off six-of-seven penalties, while
the Bulldogs fought off two.
Sophomore netminder Allen York stopped all 22 shots he faced and
Chase Polacek and Jerry D'Amigo both had a goal and two assists to
lead Rensselaer to a 4-0 blanking of Yale Saturday. The
Engineers, who also got a goal and an assist from Brandon Pirri,
improve to 14-12-2. The Bulldogs drop to 12-6-3.
