Top Squads Union, RPI Block Tigers' Path to Top-Four Seed
The following article appeared in the February 25 issue of the Daily Princetonian.
BY JEFF EPSTEIN
STAFF WRITER
The men’s hockey team hopes to capture a first-round bye in the ECAC Hockey conference tournament as it enters its final weekend of the regular season. Princeton (15-10-2 overall, 10-8-2 ECAC Hockey) will have to avenge earlier losses by beating both Union College (24-7-3, 16-3-1) and Rensselaer (19-9-4, 11-8-1) on the road this weekend to have a chance at finishing as one of the conference’s top four seeds.
The Tigers are guaranteed at least a sixth-place finish in the conference, which would see them hosting a first-round playoff series against the 11th seed. While the team can only rise as high as the third seed, it does somewhat control its own destiny. With two victories, Princeton would pass Rensselaer and, at the very worst, end the regular season in the fifth seed.
“I wouldn’t say that it takes pressure off of us,” senior defender Matt Godlewski said of being locked in the top six. “But it’s always nice to know that we will have home-ice advantage for at least the first round of the playoffs.”
Complete article can be accessed via the Princetonian Web site by clicking here.
