By: Andrew Badillo and Gabbi Riggi
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1. Quinnipiac Bobcats (8-0-0, 2-0-0 ECAC) – Andrew
Previous three: 10/24 vs. St. Cloud State W 4-1, 11/6 @ Colgate W 3-2, 11/7 @ Cornell W 5-4.
The Bobcats are the most balanced team in the ECAC. Rand Pecknold’s squad escaped this past weekend with four points defeating Colgate 3-2 and Cornell 5-4. Quinnipiac boasts the third best offense in the country averaging just over four goals per game. It has been just as impressive on defense as it yields only 1.75 goals per game. The Bobcats roll four lines capable of scoring in bunches, but have been led by senior Travis St. Denis. He has a whopping seven goals to go along with three assists on the season. St. Denis is one of 11 players who have tallied five points or more.
Next three: 11/13 vs. Harvard, 11/14 vs. Dartmouth, 11/17 @ UCONN
1. Harvard Crimson (3-0-1, 3-0-1 ECAC) – Gabbi
Previous three: 11/1 vs. Dartmouth W 5-2, 11/6 vs. Yale T 2-2, 11/7 vs. Brown W 5-2.
How can you say no to a team starting with a head of steam after a year of pushing deep into the NCAA Tournament? It’s always hard to judge these Ivys because they don’t play out of conference. But, Jimmy Vesey already posted an incredible eight points in four games. With little turnover from last year, I think the Crimson and Bobcats will be fighting neck and neck.
Next three: 11/13 @ Quinnipiac, 11/14 @ Princeton, 11/27 @ Notre Dame
2. Quinnipiac Bobcats (8-0-0, 2-0-0 ECAC) – Gabbi
Previous three: 10/24 vs. St. Cloud State W 4-1, 11/6 @ Colgate W 3-2, 11/7 @ Cornell W 5-4.
We’ve seen it ourselves. Three top-ten conference scorers on a team with depth of scoring, strong special teams, No. 1 in the PairWise. They’re a strong team and one of the most resilient that we’ve seen in a few years and I’m impressed. But, I won’t be completely convinced until I see this team play its best hockey.
Next three: 11/13 vs. Harvard, 11/14 vs. Dartmouth, 11/17 @ UCONN
2. Harvard Crimson (3-0-1, 3-0-1 ECAC) – Andrew
Previous three: 11/1 vs. Dartmouth W 5-2, 11/6 vs. Yale T 2-2, 11/7 vs. Brown W 5-2.
Harvard is No. 2 on my list because of its schedule. Quinnipiac dismantled then No. 9 St. Cloud State twice earlier in the season. Harvard has beaten Dartmouth twice, Brown and tied Yale. While I agree with you Gabbi that Harvard is going to be a force in the ECAC this year. I think the sample size is too small for me right now to put it ahead of Quinnipiac.
Next three: 11/13 @ Quinnipiac, 11/14 @ Princeton, 11/27 @ Notre Dame
3. Yale Bulldogs (3-0-1, 1-0-1 ECAC) – Andrew
Previous three: 10/31 vs. UMASS W 6-1, 11/6 @ Harvard T 2-2, 11/7 @ Dartmouth W 4-2.
It’s easy to make Yale’s case for best team in the ECAC. All-American goaltender Alex Lyon has been dynamite posting a 3-0-1 record, a .950 save percentage, and 1.47 goals against average. Freshman forward Joe Snively has been outstanding early on for the Bulldogs scoring four goals to go with one assist. In the Bulldog’s 2-2 tie against No. 7 Harvard, Snively tallied two of his four goals on the season. Snively also took home ECAC Rookie of the Week after his performance against the Crimson.
Next three: 11/13 @ RPI, 11/14 @ Union, 11/20 vs. Cornell.
3. Yale Bulldogs (3-0-1, 1-0-1 ECAC) – Gabbi
Previous three: 10/31 vs. UMASS W 6-1, 11/6 @ Harvard T 2-2, 11/7 @ Dartmouth W 4-2.
I totally agree, for me it’s two words: Alex. Lyon. The nation’s top defense last year will always impress me, and even with player losses, having Lyon in net and guys like O’Gara on the blue line will fortify what they have to offer. They’re 1-0-1 in the conference, but with that tie against Harvard, it’s clear we’ll have a three dog race on our hands.
Next three: 11/13 @ RPI, 11/14 @ Union, 11/20 vs. Cornell.
4. Rensselaer Engineers (4-4-1, 3-0-1 ECAC) – Gabbi
Previous three: 10/31 vs. Union W 3-2, 11/6 @ Clarkson T 2-2, 11/7 @ St. Lawrence W 4-3.
We agree here too, for the team with a strong start in the ECAC and a 3-0-1. But, their goals for/goals against ratio is a little tricky for me at 23 for 25 against. The Engineers are an interesting team so far, even coming away with a win against Boston College, but I can’t see them being a powerhouse down the stretch.
Next three: 11/13 vs. Yale, 11/14 vs. Brown, 11/20 @ Bentley.
4. Rensselaer Engineers (4-4-1, 3-0-1 ECAC) – Andrew
Previous three: 10/31 vs. Union W 3-2, 11/6 @ Clarkson T 2-2, 11/7 @ St. Lawrence W 4-3.
I agree with you on everything here. The win against Boston College is huge. Scoring two goals and beating Thatcher Demko is monumental achievement considering he has six shutouts this season. But the goals for/goals against ratio is alarming to me as well.
Next three: 11/13 vs. Yale, 11/14 vs. Brown, 11/20 @ Bentley.
5. Colgate Raiders (4-5-0, 1-1-0 ECAC) – Andrew
Previous three: 10/31 vs. Providence L 4-3, 11/6 vs. Quinnipiac L 3-2, 11/7 vs. Princeton W 2-1.
A tough schedule early on has Colgate off to a slow start. The Raiders have suffered losses at the hands of then No. 3 Providence (twice) and No. 5 Quinnipiac. Reliable goaltender, Charlie Finn, has been terrible early on as he has a 3.2 goals against average and a .909 save percentage. But, the blue line has been just as bad as Finn is facing on average 34 shots per game. The Raiders evidently are struggling on defense after losing Spiro Goulakos and Brendan Corcoran to graduation.
Next three: 11/13 @ Cornell, 11/14 vs. Cornell, 11/20 @ Brown.
5. Cornell Big Red (3-1-0, 1-1-0 ECAC) – Gabbi
Previous three: 10/31 vs. Niagara W 4-0, 11/6 vs. Princeton W 4-3, 11/7 vs. Quinnipiac L 5-4.
I’m going to put the Big Red over the Raiders just from an eye test perspective; I liked more of what I saw from them in their weekend against the Bobcats. They capitalize on the special teams opportunity— and while I picked apart a little bit of his play I think Mitch Gillam is a very capable guy in net.
Next three: 11/13 vs. Colgate, 11/14 @ Colgate, 11/20 @ Yale.
6. St. Lawrence Saints (6-3-1, 1-1-0 ECAC) – Gabbi
Previous three: 10/30 @ Penn State W 4-2, 11/6 vs. Union W 6-3, 11/7 vs. RPI L 4-3.
The Saints are caught in a glut of teams currently sitting at 1-1 in the ECAC, but hold a 6-3-1 overall record. This is a young team that’s hungry after riding Kyle Hayton’s coattails to Lake Placid.
Next three: 11/13 vs. Clarkson, 11/20 @ Princeton, 11/21 @ Quinnipiac.
6. St. Lawrence Saints (6-3-1, 1-1-0 ECAC) – Andrew
Previous three: 10/30 @ Penn State W 4-2, 11/6 vs. Union W 6-3, 11/7 vs. RPI L 4-3.
I agree with the ranking, but I don’t think this team will have to rely on goaltender Kyle Hayton as much as you think. St. Lawrence has played ten games this season and average 3.4 goals per game. It is also averaging 34 shots on goal per game. The Saints should be a solid balanced squad throughout the season. I’m not sure if they can challenge the likes of Harvard, Yale and Quinnipiac however.
Next three: 11/13 vs. Clarkson, 11/20 @ Princeton, 11/21 @ Quinnipiac.
7. Cornell Big Red (3-1-0, 1-1-0 ECAC) – Andrew
Previous three: 10/31 vs. Niagara W 4-0, 11/6 vs. Princeton W 4-3, 11/7 vs. Quinnipiac L 5-4.
Cornell’s schedule has been pretty easy so far and that is why they aren’t ahead of Colgate on my list. Mike Schaffer’s squad took it to Quinnipiac Saturday Nov. 7 as Cornell had two three goal leads only to see both vanish as it eventually lost in overtime. The Big Red are scoring 3.75 goals per game, which hasn’t been the mantra for this team the past couple seasons. Cornell averaged 1.87 goals per game last season, second to last in the ECAC. Freshman Anthony Angello has fueled the Big Red offense this season scoring three goals to go along with three assists.
Next three: 11/13 vs. Colgate, 11/14 @ Colgate, 11/20 @ Yale.
7. Colgate Raiders (4-5-0, 1-1-0 ECAC) – Gabbi
Previous three: 10/31 vs. Providence L 4-3, 11/6 vs. Quinnipiac L 3-2, 11/7 vs. Princeton W 2-1.
As you and I talked about in the preview for their weekend against QU, they’re a three-man team. Charlie Finn looked too out of position for me, and while Tyson Spink is tied for tops in ECAC points with ten, there’s more this team needs than those three players.
Next three: 11/13 @ Cornell, 11/14 vs. Cornell, 11/20 @ Brown.
8. Clarkson Golden Knights (5-2-1, 0-1-1 ECAC) – Gabbi
Previous three: 10/24 vs. Western Michigan W 6-2, 11/6 vs. RPI T 2-2, 11/7 vs. Union L 4-1.
While Clarkson has the lower ECAC record after tying RPI and losing to Union last week, the Golden Knights still look promising. After a hard 7-1 loss at Merrimack, the team rebounded to win three straight before entering the conference slate.
Next three: 11/13 @ St. Lawrence, 11/20 @ Quinnipiac, 11/21 @ Princeton.
8. Clarkson Golden Knights (5-2-1, 0-1-1 ECAC) – Andrew
Previous three: 10/24 vs. Western Michigan W 6-2, 11/6 vs. RPI T 2-2, 11/7 vs. Union L 4-1.
The Golden Knights have already scored one-third of the goals they scored all last season. Junior forward A.J. Fossen has been a big reason why as he’s totaled five goals early on.
Next three: 11/13 @ St. Lawrence, 11/20 @ Quinnipiac, 11/21 @ Princeton.
9. Union Dutchmen (3-4-3, 1-3-0 ECAC) – Andrew
Previous three: 10/31 @ RPI L 3-2, 11/6 @ St. Lawrence L 6-3, 11/7 @ Clarkson W 4-1.
The Dutchmen are in the bottom half of the ECAC in goals against average (2.83) and goals per game (2.6). Union has been one of the more explosive teams in the ECAC the past few seasons. It finished second last season in goals per game (3.13) and first two years ago (3.81). The graduation of Daniel Ciampini and Max Novak, who combined for 78 points last season, certainly hurts the offense.
Next three: 11/13 vs. Brown, 11/14 vs. Yale, 11/28 @ Merrimack.
9. Union Dutchmen (3-4-3, 1-3-0 ECAC) – Gabbi
Previous three: 10/31 @ RPI L 3-2, 11/6 @ St. Lawrence L 6-3, 11/7 @ Clarkson W 4-1.
The 2014 National Champions are still dealing with losing a few of their big pieces since their run. The Dutchmen still have strong players in Mike Vecchione and Ryan Scarfo, but the unit is still lacking a dynamic player to elevate them back up to the elite level.
Next three: 11/13 vs. Brown, 11/14 vs. Yale, 11/28 @ Merrimack.
10. Dartmouth Big Green (1-3-0, 1-3-0 ECAC) – Gabbi
Previous three: 11/1 @ Harvard L 5-2, 11/6 vs. Brown W 7-3, 11/7 vs. Yale L 4-2.
Games continue to be a struggle in New Hampshire, as Dartmouth starts off another season slow once again. In two of the three games, even with the first goal for, the Big Green are 0-2, unable to finish what they started.
Next three: 11/13 @ Princeton, 11/14 @ Quinnipiac, 11/27 @ Michigan.
10. Dartmouth Big Green (1-3-0, 1-3-0 ECAC) – Andrew
Previous three: 11/1 @ Harvard L 5-2, 11/6 vs. Brown W 7-3, 11/7 vs. Yale L 4-2.
Things aren’t looking good for the Big Green as they are off to another slow start as you mentioned Gabbi. A positive for Dartmouth is that it doesn’t have to play Harvard again this season and it only has to play Yale one more time.
Next three: 11/13 @ Princeton, 11/14 @ Quinnipiac, 11/27 @ Michigan.
11. Princeton Tigers (1-3-0, 0-2-0 ECAC) – Andrew
Previous three: 10/31 vs. Maine W 3-1, 11/6 @ Cornell L 4-3, 11/7 @ Colgate L 2-1.
Princeton has gotten off to a rough start losing its first two conference games to Cornell and Colgate. It’s way to early to predict how the ECAC will shape up come late February. That being said, I don’t think Princeton has the firepower on offense to compete with the upper echelon of the ECAC.
Next three: 11/13 vs. Dartmouth, 11/14 vs. Harvard, 11/20 vs. St. Lawrence.
11. Princeton Tigers (1-3-0, 0-2-0 ECAC) – Gabbi
Previous three: 10/31 vs. Maine W 3-1, 11/6 @ Cornell L 4-3, 11/7 @ Colgate L 2-1.
The most noise we may hear from travel partner Princeton is through what Class of ’13 goaltender Mike Condon does in the NHL. There will be an improvement over the season from this team, but for now they aren’t a major threat.
Next three: 11/13 vs. Dartmouth, 11/14 vs. Harvard, 11/20 vs. St. Lawrence.
12. Brown Bears (0-3-0, 0-2-0 ECAC) – Gabbi
Previous three: 10/31 vs. Holy Cross L 7-5, 11/6 @ Dartmouth L 7-3, 11/7 @ Harvard L 5-2.
The Bears have started an early hibernation. The power play is 0-for-6, and only three players are in the positives in a plus/minus rating. Opponents’ are averaging six goals per game.
Next three: 11/13 @ Union, 11/14 @ RPI, 11/20 vs. Colgate.
12. Brown Bears (0-3-0, 0-2-0 ECAC) – Andrew
Previous three: 10/31 vs. Holy Cross L 7-5, 11/6 @ Dartmouth L 7-3, 11/7 @ Harvard L 5-2.
Can’t disagree with you on this one. The Bears have given up 19 goals through three games.
Next three: 11/13 @ Union, 11/14 @ RPI, 11/20 vs. Colgate.
