ECAC men’s ice hockey is in full swing this weekend with conference games on the slate for each team. Here is a look at QBSN’s first weekly power rankings for the conference.
1. Colgate (6-2-0)
With the exception of St. Cloud State it’s been an easy start to the schedule for the Raiders. We’ll see what this team is really made of with tougher games on the horizon.
Next Up: Nov. 7 at QU
2. RPI (3-5-0, 2-0-0 ECAC)
Following a weekend sweep of the Dutchmen by a combined score of 8-2, RPI opens the year atop the power rankings in my book. Still a long way to go but a good start to ECAC play for the Engineers.
Next Up: Nov. 7 vs. Harvard
3. Union (5-3-0, 0-2-0 ECAC)
After dropping a pair of games to RPI, the Dutchmen are on their longest losing streak since 2010-11. But I expect the defending champs to get back on track against Dartmouth and Harvard this weekend.
Next Up: Nov. 7 vs. Dartmouth
4. St. Lawrence (4-3-1)
I give St. Lawrence more respect than the record may show. The Saints have splits against Ferris State and Miami with both losses coming in overtime, providing plenty to build on in the early goings.
Next Up: Nov. 7 at Brown
5. Quinnipiac (3-2-1)
The Bobcats resurfaced over the .500 mark with a sweep of struggling Northeastern. However, QU could be in for a wake up call with Colgate and Cornell heading to Hamden this weekend.
Next Up: Nov. 7 vs. Colgate
6. Yale (1-0-1)
The Eli’s took care of business in the Liberty Invitational to open the season. I think the Bulldogs have a lot to prove, after a disappointing end to their National title defense last spring.
Next Up: Nov. 7 vs. Clarkson
7. Cornell (0-1-1)
An 0-1-1 weekend at Lynah against Nebraska-Omaha starts Cornell in the bottom half of my rankings. But the Big Red offense will get back on track this weekend playing against the struggling defenses of Princeton and QU.
Next Up: Nov. 7 at Princeton
8. Brown (1-0-0)
A 4-2 win at Army isn’t anything overly impressive, but I am interested to see what the Bears do this season. This is one of my sleeper teams in the ECAC.
Next Up: Nov. 7 vs. SLU
9. Dartmouth (0-0-1, 0-0-1 ECAC)
The Big Green had a strong finish to last season with a surprising first round victory over RPI. Defense will need to be the focus for Dartmouth this season if they stand any chance in the ECAC.
Next Up: Nov. 7 at Union
10. Harvard (0-0-1, 0-0-1 ECAC)
The Crimson return plenty of offensive depth and have the potential to be one of the more potent in the ECAC. Look for Vesey and Criscuolo to build on solid sophomore years.
Next Up: Nov. 7 at RPI
11. Princeton (0-1-1)
Ron Fogarty’s first year behind the Princeton bench will be a long one. A difficult first half of the season will put the Tigers in an early hole and towards the bottom of the ECAC for the entire season.
Next Up: Nov. 7 vs. Cornell
12. Clarkson (2-4-2)
The Golden Knights winless in 5 straight after starting the season 2-0. With Yale, Cornell, Colgate, and Quinnipiac on the schedule in the next three weekends, life doesn’t get any easier in Potsdam.
Next Up: Nov. 7 at Yale
Game to Watch:
#4 Colgate Raiders at Quinnipiac Bobcats
High Point Solutions Arena in Hamden, Conn.
Friday, Nov. 7th at 7 p.m.
The Bobcats and Raiders will meet for the first time since the ECAC Semifinals in Lake Placid last March. The Raiders came from behind to beat the Bobcats 3-2 in double overtime before falling to Union in the ECAC Final. The teams split the regular season series last year as Quinnipiac won 7-2 in Hamilton before Colgate returned the favor with a 3-1 win on the road in February.
The Raiders are off to a strong 6-2-0 start. Wins over St. Cloud State, Mercyhurst, and sweeps of Northeastern and Sacred Heart currently have Colgate ranked 4th in the national poll for the third consecutive week. Goaltender Charlie Finn is off to a hot start with 3 shutouts, a goal against average of 1.26, and a .947 save percentage in eight starts. Kyle Baun, one of last year’s playoff heroes for Colgate, has picked up where he left off with five goals and eight points in eight games. Quinnipiac has struggled, but is still Colgate’s best test since St. Cloud State. Expect the Raiders to come out motivated after having their five game winning streak snapped by Mercyhurst.
Quinnipiac got back on track with a pair of wins against Northeastern this past weekend at High Point Solutions Arena. Michael Garteig looked better against Northeastern compared to his previous three starts, but faces his biggest challenge of the season so far in Colgate. Quinnipiac’s powerplay has been its best weapon, converting on 31 percent of its chances. However, along with Garteig, the Bobcats need to be play stronger five-on-five hockey. Following Sunday’s win, Rand Pecknold said he was still looking for a full 60-minute effort from his team. The Bobcats will need that if they want to stand a chance against the Raiders.
