I'm sure this has occurred to many other ECAC followers, but in the
last three seasons, the 6th seed in the ECAC tourny has had a good deal
of success:
 
1994-95:  #6 Rensselear upends #3 Colgate in the QF's and upsets #1(?)
Clarkson in the semis and wins by ending upstart #7(?) Princeton's run.
 
1995-96:  #6 Harvard travels to Canton, NY and beats a good #3 St.
Lawrence team.  Then defeats #1 Vermont in the semis before bowing
out to #4 Cornell in the finals.
 
1996-97:  #6 Princeton goes to the "cathouse" and dumps heavily favored
and Nationally ranked #3 Vermont in 3 games.  What next?  Can they
follow form and make it to the Finals?
 
FWIW here's my predictions:
 
Princeton vs. Clarkson
        History will not repeat itself....but Clarkson better not
get caught looking ahead to the NCAA's!  Princeton's tight and
aggressive forecheck will frustrate the Golden Knights but in the
end Clarkson will ride Dan Murphy's shoulders into the final with
a hard fought one goal victory.
 
Rensselear vs. Cornell
        These team split two games this year each winning on the other's
ice.  Just two weeks ago, Cornell opened up a very close game with a
three goal outburst in the 3rd period.  Both of these teams are very
young and can score goals in bunches.  This game will turn on veteran
leadership and goaltending.  Give Cornell the edge in both and a 2 goal
(1 empty netter) victory.  However, if RPI's goalie, Laing, does not
get tested early look for him and the young team to gain the confidence
necessary to pull out the victory.
 
Championship
 
Clarkson v. Cornell
        As much as I hate to admit it...it will take a HUGE effort
for Cornell to get the upset.  Clarkson's forecheck and talent
(read Todd White, J.F. Houle, Dan Murphy.... c.f. Clarkson 3 Cornell 1
at Lynah just 10 days ago) will prevail.  Another good game though...
Clarkson by two.
 
Conso...
Rensselaer's young team can't bounce back from the semi-final disappointment
and loses by 3 to a Princeton team that never gives up.
 
Hoping to convince my wife to make the Placid road trip!
Good luck to all the teams, but mostly.. "Let's GO BIG RED!!!" (Cornell
that is ;)).
 
Eric
 
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