Just thought I'd add my 2 cents to the ECACs.
 
> PRELIM
> ------
> #7 Brown vs. #10 Princeton
 
I just don't have a good feeling about Brown (no offense, Luiz :).
Despite their whitewashing at RPI, Princeton has been playing real
well lately. Besides, they always seem to have this late-season run
into the playoffs even with a mediocre regular season. I won't say
too much about Brown (only because I've seen them once this year), but
Princeton looks like they could make some noise again this year.
 
As Adam said, Brown is not rolling into the playoffs. Jardine's
departure doesn't help them, either. I'll go with Princeton, also.
 
> #8 RPI vs. #9 Dartmouth
 
RPI has this thing about playing to their opponents' level. They also
have this knack to play to a higher level in the postseason, no matter
who they play. I saw Dartmouth early in the year, so they're probably
not the same team. Any time you can sweep Harvard & Brown, you've done
something worth noticing - not a bad way to finish off the season.
Dartmouth got the roll they needed.
 
Of course, RPI picked up 4 points this weekend, too. Yes, they were
against lower teams, but 4 points is 4 points. This should be a good
game, nonetheless. If people show up at the Fieldhouse, I'd pick RPI.
If it's not sold out, that won't help RPI's confidence. I'll go with
RPI, regardless.
 
> QUARTERS
> --------
> #10 Princeton at #1 Vermont
 
Vermont finally got what they needed - home ice for the quarterfinals.
Take advantage of it, Cats! Watch out for the Tigers, though. They
wore out Brown last year and shocked Clarkson. Princeton may force
this series to 3 games, but Vermont would pull through if that happens.
Vermont WILL have their hands full. I'd say the Cats in 2 close ones.
>
> #8 RPI at #2 Clarkson
>
Coming from a Clarkson fan perspective, this kinda scares me. Clarkson
has already beaten RPI twice this year in very solid fashions. I'm
an odds person, so.....
 
Clarkson should know what they could come up against. So should RPI.
It's never easy to win a road game in the Great White North, but
RPI won't roll over and die. Clarkson's been winning when they should
(and sometimes when they shouldn't) this year. I'll take Clarkson in
two games.
 
> #6 Harvard at #3 St. Lawrence
>
I agree with Adam. Harvard has the best chance to pull off an upset
here. They just might. However, I never have good luck if I try to
predict an upset. I won't test my luck, here.
 
From what I've heard, SLU hasn't looked all that great at times. With
the exception of Prpic & Murphy, I hardly recognize any names I've heard
this year. They've had a better year than I thought they would, so it
just depends on whether or not they can hang on for a couple more weeks.
I'll take SLU in 3. Harvard always shows up.
 
> #5 Colgate at #4 Cornell
 
I think the following words/phrases should sum up this series best:
 
Head-knocker, war, survival of the fittest.... (I think you get my
point).
 
Whoever ends up with a combination of least players injured and less
penalty minutes will survive this series. We have two very
evenly-matched teams in a 3-game series. I think Lynah will be sold
out this coming weekend (if it isn't already).
 
Cornell in 3. There will be either two ties and a long OT or two
one-goal games and a long OT. They may be still playing by the time
the first semifinal faces off in Lake Placid.
 
So, I think we'll see the top 4 in Lake Placid. If this is the case,
I can't wait!
 
Andy
 
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