Weekend Preview: A Mid-Season ‘Frozen Four’ Upon Us

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ALBANY, NY  --  All three of the nationally ranked ECAC Hockey teams are in action this weekend against opponents of similar stature, who are also ranked. 

No. 1 Harvard at No. 2 New Hampshire:  Newly crowned No. 1-ranked Harvard will have no time to rest on its laurels, as it travels to Durham to take on the team it replaced in the polls - No. 2-ranked New Hampshire.  At 11-0-0 the Crimson are the only undefeated team in the nation and off to their second 11-0-0 in school history under head coach Katey Stone.  Harvard has been the beneficiary of virtually flawless play at each end of the ice during the first half of the season.  Crimson sophomore goaltender Christina Kessler and the nation's leading defense, that has only surrendered nine goals in 11 games, will encounter a true challenge Friday, as the Wildcats are second in the nation in scoring averaging 3.95 G/GM.  Kessler has been nothing sort of brilliant between the pipes, standing atop the nation's goaltending statistical categories in virtually every area, including goals-against average (0.90), save percentage (.958) and winning percentage (10-0-0).  Not to be outdone is the Crimson's offense which has been getting effective contributions from multiple lines led by junior forward Sarah Vaillancourt, who is third in the country in scoring with 2.27 P/GM.    This lethal combination of an unyielding defense and a dynamic offense has resulted in a scoring margin of 2.82, which is also tops in the nation.

At No. 4 St. Lawrence, No. 3 Minnesota-Duluth:  The second part of the mid-season ‘Frozen Four' involves No. 4-ranked St. Lawrence hosting No. 3-ranked Minnesota-Duluth.  Both teams come into the game riding significant unbeaten streaks with the Saints boasting a four-game streak (4-0-0) and the Bulldogs a six-game streak (6-0-0).  St. Lawrence has revealed its authority on the offensive end leading the nation in scoring at 4.31 P/GM.  Senior forwards Sabrina Harbec and Chelsea Grills have provided much support for their teammates in bolstering the Saints' offense by dishing out 24 and 17 assists, respectively, on the season.  Special-teams execution possibly will be a deciding factor in the match-up between the two national powers.  St. Lawrence junior forward Alison Domenico will spearhead the Saints' power-play unit that has capitalized on a productive 24 of 90 opportunities, which stands third in the nation.  Domenico has netted six of those goals in 14 games this season and will be against a team that has successfully killed 92 of 101 chances.  The weekend series should generate two classic confrontations and be a true test for the two comparable units. 

At No. 8 Dartmouth, No. 6 Mercyhurst:  The third and final contest between an ECAC Hockey ranked team pitted against a national ranked opponent will be a showdown in Hanover when No. 8-ranked Dartmouth hosts No. 6-ranked Mercyhurst.  The teams will play two matinee games over the course of the weekend.  Both the Big Green and Lakers have shined on the ice during the first half of the season ranking in the top 10 in most statistical categories at both ends of the ice.  Sophomore forward Jenna Cunningham (12-15-27) has been scoring threat all season for Dartmouth ranking third in the country tallying 2.25 P/GM.  The Big Green's chief netminder junior Carli Clemis (7-2-1) looks to shut down the Lakers' offense led by the nation's leading goal scorer sophomore forward Megan Agosta, who has scored 22 goals on the season.  The match-up depicts two similar style teams that are secure in all facets of their game.

At Union, Toronto Jr Aeros (Ex.):  The on-ice improvement for the Dutchwomen can be seen each week, as they proudly snapped two less than favorable streaks over the last few weeks.  Union junior goaltender Lundy Day has been a work-horse in net logging nearly 800 minutes in goal and facing in the region of 40 shots each contest.  Watch for the Dutchwomen to continue to find their  offensive rhythm in the upcoming exhibition series versus the Toronto Jr Aeros.