Weekend Preview: Teams Return to League Play
ALBANY, NY -- This weekend marks a chance for ECAC Hockey
teams to earn points in the league standings before ‘Winter
Break.' At the mid-season point three ECAC Hockey teams are
currently ranked in the national polls with St. Lawrence sitting at
the No. 3 spot, Dartmouth in the fifth position and Harvard
stationed at the No. 10 slot.
Colgate/Cornell at No. 3/3 St.
Lawrence/Clarkson: The Raiders and Big Red make
their annul visit to the North Country this weekend. Guided
by seventh-year head coach Scott Wiley, Colgate brings an 8-7-1
overall record into weekend play. Colgate, coming-off its
biggest win of the season, an upset of then No. 5/6 New Hampshire
last week at Starr Rink, looks to continue its magic facing No. 3/3
St. Lawrence Friday and Clarkson Saturday. The Raiders bring
scoring from both ends of the ice, as they currently rank ninth in
the nation in offense averaging 3.31 goals per game. Senior
defender Kiira Dosdall is first among her league-peers in scoring
(3G-13A-16PTS) and second in the nation among defenders averaging
1.00 points per game. Freshman Kimberly Sass, who has been
solid between the pipes this season posting a 6-1-1 overall record
for the Raiders, will be challenged by the high-scoring offenses of
the Saints and Golden Knights. The Golden Knights, riding a
six-game unbeaten streak, welcome the visitors to Cheel
Arena. Clarkson in the midst of an eight-game home stand is
5-0-1 at home on the season. The Golden Knights are led on
offense by senior forward Marie-Jo Gaudet (10G-13A-23PTS), who is
one of five current players that have recorded double figures in
points thus far. Among the top goaltenders in the nation
sophomore Lauren Dahm boasts a .947 save percentage and a 1.27
goals-against average in 12 games this season. Cornell, which
snapped a three-game losing streak Sunday with a 5-3 victory over
Niagara will also be visiting the Saints and Golden Knights.
The Big Red are 2-2 on the road this season. Sophomore
forward Rebecca Johnston has three game-winning goals in eight
games this season for the Big Red. No. 3/3 St. Lawrence
continues to move-up the ladder in the national polls. The
Saints have won nine of their last ten games and have posted a
6-0-0 mark at home this season. Junior netminder Brittony
Chartier has played in all of the Saints' games this season
boasting a record of 10-2-2. Senior forward Carson Duggan,
who set the Saints' career goals record earlier this season, set
another goal-scoring record this past weekend, as she surpassed the
previous career power play goal mark of 25 with two extra-attacker
goals Saturday.
No. 10/10 Harvard at No. 7/8 New Hampshire:
The Crimson face its second top ten power on the road in as many
weeks, as they travel to Whittemore Center to take on the Wildcats
Friday. The history of the match-up with New Hampshire has
been a streaky one with the Wildcats going unbeaten in the last six
meetings (5-0-1). Prior to this Harvard had a 12-game winning
streak in the series. Harvard's defense has only yielding 23
goals in 10 overall games this season.
Rensselaer/Union at Quinnipiac/Princeton:
The Bobcats and Tigers will host Rensselaer and Union over the
weekend in league action. Entering weekend play, the
Engineers, riding a four-game unbeaten streak (3-0-1), will face
the Bobcats Friday and the Tigers Saturday. Sophomore
goaltender Sonja van der Bliek has played in 13 contests for RPI
and posted a .910 save percentage. Rensselaer's defense has
only allowed nine goals in six league games this season.
Quinnipiac's senior forward Elyse Cole is tied for second in ECAC
Hockey play with five power play goals. The Bobcats are
getting scoring from all positions, as they are averaging 2.43
goals per game in conference play. Union will face Princeton
Friday and Quinnipiac Saturday. The Dutchwomen are coming off
a weekend sweep of Sacred Heart. Senior netminder Lundy Day
has seen action in 16 games for Union, posting a .905 save
percentage. Princeton will be looking to separate themselves
from others in league standings, as they currently sit in the
number six position. Sophomore defender Sasha Sherry has been
an efficient two-way player for the Tigers, playing solid defense
and leading the nation among defenders averaging 1.08 points per
game. The Tigers have earned a reputation for playing a full
60 minutes of hockey, as they are tops in league netting 11
third-period goals this season.
Brown at Yale: The Bears and the Bulldogs
have one last chance to pick-up league points before break begins,
as they meet in a mid-week showdown at Ingalls Rink Thursday.
Yale is 3-1-1 in its last five games against Brown. Bears'
senior netminder Nicole Stock has a .917 save percentage and
stopped a second-most 444 saves in conference-play thus far.
Forwards senior Crysti Howser and sophomore Bray Ketchum have each
netted four goals in the six league games for the
Bulldogs.
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