Here’s a look at the final regular season weekend in ECAC Hockey:
Friday, Feb. 26
No. 12 Harvard at Clarkson
The Crimson look to end the season on a high note after pulling out of its late-season tail dive. Harvard is 2-3-1 in its last six games, with a 7-4 victory over Colgate and a 2-2 tie with Cornell this past weekend. With two games in the North Country, it’s a chance to gain some ground in the standings. Clarkson, on the other hand, has lost its last three to Quinnipiac, Yale and, perhaps most notably, Brown by three goals.
Harvard 4, Clarkson 1
No. 17 Rensselaer at Colgate
RPI has also hit a late-season skid. The Engineers have gone 2-4 in their last six, with a close loss to Quinnipiac this past weekend and a 2-1 win against Princeton. But RPI needs some wins to get its confidence back. Colgate, losers of its last four, all in dramatic fashion, might be just what the doctor ordered.
RPI 5, Colgate 3
Union at No. 16 Cornell
Three of Cornell’s last six games have ended in ties, including a 2-2 tie to Harvard this past weekend and a 3-3 tie with Brown two weeks ago. It stands to show that the Big Red seem to have lost their scoring magic from the first half, but this team is still dangerous and full of scoring potential. Union, sitting just above .500 heading into the final regular season weekend, still has some figuring out to do.
Cornell 3, Union 2 OT
No. 7 Yale at Princeton
The Bulldogs have been college hockey’s hottest team since the end of January, making up some much needed ground with a seven-game winning streak dating to Jan. 30. It’s hard not to admire the numbers, particularly offensively. For Princeton, which is just starting to find its competitive edge, a matchup against the Bulldogs should prove to be too much.
Yale 5, Princeton 2
Brown at No. 1 Quinnipiac
Two teams on two very different sides of the conference spectrum. Quinnipiac remains college hockey’s No. 1 team despite two ties and a loss in their last six games. Brown, on the other hand, won only its fifth game this past weekend. The Bobcats can wrap up the ECAC Hockey regular season title to themselves with at least a tie.
Quinnipiac 3, Brown 0
Dartmouth at No. 19 St. Lawrence
St. Lawrence followed up a weekend with a major victory against No. 1 Quinnipiac with a 2-2 tie to Brown and a 4-3 loss to Yale. While St. Lawrence’s spot is securely placed in the ECAC standings, a matchup against Dartmouth should prove challenging. The Big Green split last weekend with a 5-2 win over Colgate and a 1-0 loss to Cornell.
Dartmouth 4, St. Lawrence 3
Saturday, Feb. 27
Dartmouth at Clarkson
Clarkson finishes its regular season at home against the Big Green, a team that beat it 5-2 on Jan. 15. Clarkson is on a three-game losing streak coming into this weekend, and with the playoffs just around the corner the Knights are in need of some confidence — especially with a tough Harvard team coming in on Friday.
Dartmouth 3, Clarkson 3
Union at Colgate
A battle of two bottom-feeder teams in the ECAC standings in the Raiders’ final game at Starr Rink, their home since 1959. Colgate, with 10 points this season, at least has a chance this weekend to jump Brown in the standings; the Bears hold 11 points and face off against Princeton and No. 1 Quinnipiac. Union is 2-2-2 in its last six.
Colgate 4, Union 2
No. 17 Rensselaer at No. 16 Cornell
Neither RPI nor Cornell comes into this matchup with a lot of momentum, but it could prove as a playoff appetizer for two teams seemingly destined for some postseason action. Cornell’s Anthony Angello is still hot with nine goals and nine assists.
Cornell 3, RPI 2
Brown at Princeton
If Brown has one chance at a victory in its final regular season weekend, it might be Saturday against the Tigers. Princeton has slipped into the ECAC’s bottom seed with a 3-15-2 conference record, losing eight in a row down the stretch. Brown’s Nick Lappin and company should be able to handle those kind of odds.
Brown 2, Princeton 0
No. 7 Yale at No. 1 Quinnipiac
Game of the weekend, and it’s not even debatable. Yale enters this matchup with all the momentum, winning its last seven games. Although Quinnipiac holds the No. 1 ranking nationally, the Bulldogs are gunning for it down the stretch. And if that wasn’t enough, maybe Yale’s 3-0 loss to the Bobcats on Dec. 4 is still in the back of their minds — a chance to prove that this, now, is a different team.
Yale 5, Quinnipiac 4 OT
No. 12 Harvard at No. 19 St. Lawrence
Another matchup with tons of playoff potential. Both teams are still looking to get back on track heading into the final regular season weekend. St. Lawrence is 3-1-2 in its last six and has suffered both ties to teams that, on paper, it perhaps should have beaten against Brown and Union. But, as always, Harvard’s Jimmy Vesey is the X-factor.
Harvard 3, St. Lawrence 3
