#1 Vermont vs. #8 RPI
 
No rocket science here (no irony intended); if the Engineers can figure out
a way to stop the Perrin-St. Louis-Ruid line, they have a shot. Better Dan
Fridgen than me. RPI likes an up-tempo game, so Gutterson's big ice may not
be a factor -- the Engineers shaky defense, however, could be a problem. Mike
Tamburro's playoff experience is a big plus. Look for some shorthanded
goals from Vermont; the Cats had 8 during the regular season and RPI
surrendered 7 (both league highs).
 
My prediction: Vermont in 2.
 
#2 Clarkson vs. # 7 Brown
 
This should be a very physical series. Goaltending, as usual, is a key.
The Bears started Hockey-L's Mike Parsons in goal against Princeton
on Tuesday. After giving up 3 goals in 11:05, including a softie (sorry,
Mike) to Dan Brown from 80 feet, Gaudet put in Brian Audette. Audette
had only played 199.07 minutes to that point (most recently, 22 saves
in a 6-4 loss to Clarkson on Feb. 24). The move worked, as Audette came
up with 18 saves on as many shots -- so expect him to get the start.
Audette will have to play as least as well and hope the Bears play much
better defense than they did on Tuesday or this one could be a laugher.
Marty Clapton played like an ECAC all-star on Tuesday, helping to fill
the void left by Brian Jardine's departure. He has to keep it up in
Potsdam. Clarkson has a big special teams edge (+16 net compared to
Brown's -6); that could make a big difference if the referees crack
down on the rough stuff. The Bears won't have hot-tempered fourth line
center Scott Bradford after he took a DQ against Princeton.
 
My prediction: Clarkson in 2.
 
#3 St. Lawrence vs. #6 Harvard
 
The Crimson have lost 9 in a row, a school record for one season. Tripp
Tracy was playing the most consistent hockey of his career ... until he
hit a bad spell in the last four or five games. Brad Konik, Kirk Nielsen
and Tommy Holmes have two goals between them since Dec. 9. None of those
trends add up to a Harvard victory, although the inspired play of Henry
Higdon and Craig MacDonald helped the Crimson stay with the Saints at
Bright on Feb. 24 (5-4 SLU win). The Saints wide-open, undisciplined style
could hurt them in the playoffs, as could the health of Derek Ladouceur.
Still, Harvard has a lot to overcome.
 
My prediction: SLU in 2.
 
#4 Cornell vs. # 5 Colgate
 
The most intriguing match-up for many reasons. The schools' proximity, for
one. More importantly, two very different styles - Cornell plays a more
free-wheeling, wide-open style and relies heavily on its special teams
(league-best net +21). Colgate has learned to play team defense, control
the neutral zone and win at 5-on-5. Cornell is much more physical, though,
and may wind up on the penalty kill far more often than the power play.
A hot goaltender is absolutely essential in the playoffs, and Cornell
doesn't have one. Before you Big Red fans go nuts over my prediction,
remember that I picked Colgate for first in the league and a spot in that
national top 10. I'm just trying to be consistent here :-). If Colgate
loses this one, it is because the Red Raiders didn't put enough fore-
checking pressure on the Cornell defense.
 
My prediction: Colgate in 3.
 
Geoff Howell
Drop the Puck Magazine
 
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