PREVIEW OF THIS WEEKEND'S ACTION
 
HARVARD
The 19-3-2 (16-2-2 ECAC) Crimson have little to play for
as they've wrapped up the ECAC's regular season title. The Crimson
got upset last weekend at 8th place Dartmouth showing that they
are ripe for the picking. Led by Player of the Year candidate
and ECAC leading scorer Ted Drury and complimented by Steve
Floemenhoft, Harvard boasts a very well balanced offense as well
as a solid defense. Fantastic freshman goalie Tripp Tracy has solidified
what was expected to be the Crimson's only weaknesses coming into
the season. While Tracy has shown many flashes of brilliance,
he has also reminded fans, at times, that he is a freshman. He
must keep his head in the game for the Crimson to go far in the NC$$'s.
 
CLARKSON
By contrast, Clarkson 15-9-4 (11-6-3 ECAC)
has everything on the line this weekend. A win at Harvard would give
them momentum going into the season finale at (now) 3rd place Brown.
Unlike Harvard, Clarkson has tons of momentum going into this game.
Since a 6-0 loss at #1 Maine, Clarkson has gone 9-1 with wins over
ECAC foes RPI and Yale. However, 8 of those 9 wins have come at home
and Clarkson has yet to prove it can win a big game on the road. Their
only big win away from Potsdam was a 6-0 waxing of St Lawrence in nearby
Canton. This is a tough weekend for Clarkson to have to break out of their
road woes.
 
ST LAWRENCE
After a disastrous January, St Lawrence 16-9-3 (11-7-2 ECAC) had a stellar
February. But that February finished on a sour note as the Saints blew
an 8-3 third period lead in their home finale to tie Yale, 8-8. Brady
Giroux has come on as one of the ECAC's top goaltenders this season
and has kept the Saints in many a game. St Lawrence's offense is paced
by the top line of Greg Carvel, Lee Albert and Burke Murphy but the Saints
have a distinct lack of depth beyond those three.
 
 
BROWN
Clarkson, Yale and St Lawrence
have been waiting for some time for Brown 13-9-2 (12-6-2) to lose...but
the Bears haven't obliged. Brown has caught fire since the new year
and has risen to the third spot in the ECAC. Led by Derek Chauvette
and Scott Hanley, the ECAC's second leading scorer, Brown is a team
on a roll.
 
FRIDAY
 
CLARKSON AT HARVARD:
Harvard has little to play for but should be focused not wanting a
repeat of the Dartmouth debacle. If Clarkson plays 60 minutes of
hockey, they can play with anyone (just ask RPI and Maine).
 
ST LAWRENCE AT BROWN:
Brown could clinch home ice in the first round with a win here. St
Lawrence has a chance to regain crucial ground lost by the tie with
Yale.
 
SATURDAY
 
ST LAWRENCE AT HARVARD:
The Crimson should bury SLU but watch for a letdown by either team,
especially Harvard, after Friday night's big games.
 
CLARKSON AT BROWN:
Brown has given the Knights trouble as they are the only team not
to lose to Clarkson in the last two regular seasons. Both teams know
what they need to do and just have to do it. Brown is very opportunistic
and thus Clarkson must remain focused. Brown's defense must play solidly
and their offense must backcheck to slow down Clarkson's top notch offensive
threats.
 
PREDICTIONS:
nah.
 
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Bri Farenell                    [log in to unmask]
Clarkson '95                    Go Suns!     Beat the CryBlazers (tm).
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        "It's a great day for hockey."          ---Bob Johnson