Well, I did have some predictions for the ECAC quarterfinal round (no, I wasn't scared off by going 0 for the preliminary round), but I never got them out. I had picked all the home teams (honest!), though I admit I expected Harvard to have trouble with Princeton and RPI to romp over Colgate. Having said that, let's move on to the ECAC's first-ever Phinal Phour at Lake Placid. It figures that in the first year the tournament is held in New York State, there are two non-New York teams in the semis (Harvard and Brown). In the last three years that the ECAC Phinal Phour was held at Boston Garden, only one of the twelve participants was not from New York. Anyway, here are a few quick thoughts: Clarkson vs. RPI SEASON SERIES: RPI defeated Clarkson at home, 4-3. Clarkson beat RPI at home, 3-1. OUTLOOK: Somebody call rewrite -- this should be the championship game, rather than a semifinal, because with apologies to Harvard and Brown, this one matches up the two best teams in the league. After some shakiness early in January, the Engineers have had a solid second half of the season, going 13-4-1 in their last 18 games, including the quarterfinals. Clarkson, however, has been surreal, going 12-1-1 since returning from Maine, and recovering nicely from a slow start to the season. RPI basically took the last weekend of the regular season off, and it almost cost them against a Colgate team that should have been easy pickings. The Engineers struggled for six periods before finally waking up in Game 3 and blowing the Red Raiders off the ice. Clark- son's sweep of arch-rival St. Lawrence was a bit easier, and the Golden Knights have had the extra day of rest, which will help in what figures to be a barnburner of a game. The teams are awfully close -- perhaps RPI has the slight edge on defense, while the Knights are better on offense. Historically, though, the odds are not with Clarkson. This is their 22nd trip to the ECAC semis, but they have advanced to the finals only seven times. PREDICTION: RPI, a bit tentatively. Brown vs. Harvard SEASON SERIES: Harvard won on the road, 3-2, and defeated Brown at home, 4-2. OUTLOOK: After struggling for most of February and winning only one of their last four games, the league-leading Crimson came to life in a big way against Princeton in the quarterfinals, waking up the echoes of their early-season domination of the ECAC. Harvard always has a load of talent, and this year is no exception. Returning Olympian Ted Drury has juiced up the offense and in particular has helped make fellow forwards Steve Flomenhoft and Matt Mallgrave real threats to the oppo- sition. The Crimson, as they did four years ago when they won the national championship, again have a terrific freshman goaltending duo in Tripp Tracy and Aaron Israel. However, Harvard would be wise not to underestimate the Bears, who come into the semis on a hot streak. Except for their last regular-season game, in which they blew a 4-0 lead against Clarkson, Brown has been nearly untouchable over the past month, posting an 8-1-1 record in their last 10 games. Brown also boasts an explosive offense, keyed by Derek Chauvette. The one area where the Bears have had trouble has been in goal -- the problem seems to have gone away over the last month, but whoever is between the pipes figures to be severely tested by the Crimson offense. By the way, this is the first ECAC semifinal game between Ivy League teams since the memorable double-overtime matchup between Cornell and Yale seven years ago. PREDICTION: Harvard. Given my predicting record (which goes from bad to worse), it's likely that neither of those teams will make it to the championship game. Nevertheless, I would pick RPI over Harvard in the final. I'll cover my buns (and "dis" Harvard and Brown once again) by mentioning that whoever wins the semi between RPI and Clarkson would be my pick to take the championship. Donning my flame-retardant pajamas... -- Bill Fenwick | Send your HOCKEY-L poll responses to: Cornell '86 and probably '94 | [log in to unmask] LET'S GO RED!! "There is no use saying that honesty is the best policy to someone who has charmingly admitted, 'I know I know you, but I just can't quite place you,' if the reply is 'I was your first husband.'" -- Miss Manners (Judith Martin)