Here’s a look at holiday tournament games involving ECAC Hockey teams early this week:
Cornell at Florida College Hockey Classic
The Big Red face a tough challenge heading into their post-holiday stretch at the Florida College Hockey Classic in Estero, Fla. Cornell enters the tournament against two powerhouses in No. 4 Boston College and No. 1 Providence, as well as Big Ten foe Ohio State, kicking things off on Monday in an afternoon game against the defending-champion Friars. Cornell hasn’t faced Providence yet this season, but the Big Red have shown a knack for showing up in big moments, playing ECAC powerhouse Quinnipiac to a 5-4 overtime loss in early November along with a 0-0 tie to Yale and a 3-3 tie to Boston University later in the month. No. 1 Providence will present a whole different test, but given the Big Red’s track record so far they should put up quite a fight.
Picks: Monday — Providence 3, Cornell 2 (OT); Tuesday — Cornell 4, Boston College 2
Clarkson at Three Rivers Classic
It’s been a roller coaster ride of a season thus far for Clarkson, which enters the break treading water above .500 with a 7-6-2 overall record. The Knights are 2-2 in their last four games, including two wins at home over NCAA newcomer Arizona State. Goal-scoring has come and gone for Clarkson this season, and against a team like No. 8 UMass-Lowell, they’ll be even harder to come by. Then again, this team played No. 3 Quinnipiac to a 1-1 tie on Nov. 20 and followed that performance with a 3-0 loss to rebuilding Princeton. Case in point.
Picks: Monday — UMass-Lowell 5, Clarkson 2; Tuesday — Clarkson 3, Robert Morris 1
Brown, Colgate at Catamount Cup
The last time these teams met, things got ugly, much more so for Colgate than for Brown. The Raiders left Northern Ireland with one goal and 12 goals against in games against the Bears and Northeastern. Before then, Colgate and Brown played to a 1-1 tie in Providence on Nov. 20. This season hasn’t exactly been kind to either team, but it seems clear at least that Brown has Colgate’s number this season. Maybe the holiday break has helped the Raiders regroup.
Picks: Tuesday — Colgate 3, Brown 2; Wednesday — Brown 4, Lake Superior State 1; Vermont 4, Colgate 2
