By: Andrew Badillo and Gabbi Riggi
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Andrew:
1. Quinnipiac Bobcats: (19-1-3, 10-0-2)
Previous three: 1/9 vs. Harvard W 5-4, 1/5 vs. Union W 5-0, 1/2 @ Northeastern T 3-3.
Since losing its first game of the season on Dec. 12, Quinnipiac has gone 4-0-1 and is averaging 4.6 goals per game. Most recently, Rand Pecknold’s squad survived a tight game against Harvard, in which his team surrendered a four-goal lead only to win it in overtime. The Bobcats have dominated the regular season their last three seasons, but haven’t gotten it done in the postseason. Will this be their year?
Next three: 1/19 at Maine, 1/21 vs. RPI, 1/29 @ Dartmouth.
Gabbi:
1. Quinnipiac Bobcats: (19-1-3, 10-0-2)
Previous three: 1/9 vs. Harvard W 5-4, 1/5 vs. Union W 5-0, 1/2 @ Northeastern T 3-3.
I’m going to echo most of what you said but in watching three of their four games since returning, a handful of things have me concerned. Bad periods and bad games happen, but I’m worried about the bad things that came to light in those down periods (Princeton, Harvard) and games (Northeastern). But, they’re tops in the nation and still full speed ahead in the ECAC.
Next three: 1/19 at Maine, 1/21 vs. RPI, 1/29 @ Dartmouth.
Gabbi:
2. Cornell Big Red: (11-2-2, 6-1-1 ECAC)
Previous three: 1/9 vs. Merrimack W 5-2, 1/8 vs. Merrimack W 3-0, 12/29 vs. Ohio State L 8-0.
The Big Red hold the second best record in conference play and have two losses on the year. The no. 9 ranked’s sweep of Merrimack was expected, the overtime tournament win against then-first Providence was huge. Their only loss in conference, and second overall came against the high-flying Bobcats.
Next three: 1/15 @ RPI, 1/16 @ Union, 1/22 vs. Dartmouth.
Andrew:
2. Cornell Big Red: (11-2-2, 6-1-1 ECAC)
Previous three: 1/9 vs. Merrimack W 5-2, 1/8 vs. Merrimack W 3-0, 12/29 vs. Ohio State L 8-0.
I’m agreeing with you, but I’m putting Cornell no. 2 in my rankings by default. Harvard didn’t show up this week and although the Crimson are more talented, Cornell has been more consistent this season.
Next three: 1/15 @ RPI, 1/16 @ Union, 1/22 vs. Dartmouth.
Andrew:
3. Harvard Crimson: (8-3-3, 4-2-3 ECAC)
Previous three: 1/9 vs. Quinnipiac L 5-4, 1/7 vs. Boston University L 6-5, 1/2 vs. Minnesotta W 4-3.
The Crimson are the most talented team in the ECAC. That being said, Harvard has had a couple of monumental collapses in recent games that have cost it dearly. It threw away its game against Boston University allowing three goals in the final four minutes of action losing 6-5. Harvard allowed four goals in the first period against Quinnipiac Saturday, digging itself a hole it couldn’t escape.
Next three: 1/15 vs. St. Lawrence, 1/16 vs. Clarkson, 1/22 @ Colgate.
Gabbi:
3. Harvard Crimson: (8-3-3, 4-2-3 ECAC)
Previous three: 1/9 vs. Quinnipiac L 5-4, 1/7 vs. Boston University L 6-5, 1/2 vs. Minnesotta W 4-3.
I’m going to echo most of what you’ve said about this team. We saw how deep they were in New York against the Bobcats, with players like Kerfoot and Moy putting up skillful late game goals. They’re highly ranked in the nation, and could easily take it again in Lake Placid if their penchant for ties doesn’t stop them.
Next three: 1/15 vs. St. Lawrence, 1/16 vs. Clarkson, 1/22 @ Colgate.
Gabbi:
4. St. Lawrence Saints: (10-7-2, 4-2-1 ECAC)
Previous three: 1/9 vs. Northeastern W 4-2, 1/8 vs. Northeastern L 3-0, 12/12 vs. Vermont W 4-1.
The Saints dropped sharply in the USCHO poll after getting swept by Northeastern. The schedule doesn’t get that much easier for SLU, with three road games against Clarkson, Harvard and Dartmouth up next. Anything’s possible with guys like Bayreuther, Dahl and Hayton playing at the top of their game.
Next three: 1/12 @ Clarkson, 1/15 @ Harvard, 1/16 @ Dartmouth.
Andrew:
4. RPI Engineers: (11-7-4, 4-1-4 ECAC)
Previous three: 1/7 @ Princeton T 3-3, 1/3 @ Miami (Ohio) L 4-2, 1/2 @ Miami (Ohio) W 3-2.
The Engineers are 2-3-1 against teams currently ranked in the top 16 of the PairWise rankings, pretty good considering they were picked no. 10 in the ECAC Preseason Coaches Poll. Wins against teams such as Yale and Boston College show that RPI is for real and should not be taken lightly come playoff time.
Next three: 1/15 vs. Cornell, 1/16 vs. Colgate, 1/21 @ Quinnipiac.
Andrew:
5. Yale Bulldogs: (9-4-3, 3-3-2 ECAC)
Previous three: 1/10 vs. Michigan Tech T 1-1, 1/8 vs. Arizona State W 4-0, 1/5 W 3-2.
The Bulldogs have been quietly taking care of business since coming back from the long break. John Hayden has four points in his last three games, he’s a player who needs to make consistent contributions on offense for the Bulldogs. As usual, Alex Lyon has been great in net. The Bulldogs are poised to make a run for one of the top four spots and a first round bye in the ECAC Playoffs.
Next three: 1/15 vs. Brown, 1/16 @ Brown, 1/22 @ Clarkson.
Gabbi:
5. Yale Bulldogs: (9-4-3, 3-3-2 ECAC)
Previous three: 1/10 vs. Michigan Tech T 1-1, 1/8 vs. Arizona State W 4-0, 1/5 W 3-2.
This past weekend the Bulldogs did well in Arizona, defeating host Arizona State and tying Michigan State in the Desert Hockey Classic. Looking at this deep and at the cluster of teams in the middle of the conference, the first two rounds of conference playoffs are going to be bigger than ever this year. At the very least they have the second best GAA and best PK to lean on.
Next three: 1/15 vs. Brown, 1/16 @ Brown, 1/22 @ Clarkson.
Gabbi:
6. RPI Engineers: (11-7-4, 4-1-4 ECAC)
Previous three: 1/7 @ Princeton T 3-3, 1/3 @ Miami (Ohio) L 4-2, 1/2 @ Miami (Ohio) W 3-2.
This team has given their fair share of surprises. I said early on I don’t expect much, and while this team has cracked a 20 spot in the USCHO poll, the Engineers started 2016 1-1-1. It’s not a bad stretch by any means, but with how stacked these teams are in conference, average might cost playoff positioning.
Next three: 1/15 vs. Cornell, 1/16 vs. Colgate, 1/21 @ Quinnipiac.
Andrew:
6. St. Lawrence Saints: (10-7-2, 4-2-1 ECAC)
Previous three: 1/9 vs. Northeastern 4-2, 1/8 vs. Northeastern L 3-0, 12/12 vs. Vermont W 4-1.
St. Lawrence has hit a rut since tying Quinnipiac Nov. 21 going 2-4 in its next six games, including a bad sweep at the hands of Northeastern this past weekend. It doesn’t get easier for the Saints as they still have to play Harvard and Yale twice more, as well as Quinnipiac and Cornell one more time.
Next three: 1/12 @ Clarkson, 1/15 @ Harvard, 1/16 @ Dartmouth.
Andrew:
7. Union Dutchmen: (9-7-5, 2-6-2 ECAC)
Previous three: 1/8 @ Princeton T 4-4, 1/7 @ Quinnipiac L 5-0, 1/3 vs. Robert Morris W 5-4.
Quinnipiac trounced Union 5-0 on Thursday ending its seven game unbeaten streak (6-0-1). Despite the loss, the Dutchmen are starting to find their identity and come together as a team. Union has lost a ton of talent the last two seasons and has needed players to step up. Spencer Foo has done just that for Union as he is leading the team with 21 points (ten goals, 11 assists).
Next three: 1/15 vs. Colgate, 1/16 vs. Cornell, 1/23 vs. Rensselaer.
Gabbi:
7. Dartmouth Big Green: (6-8-1, 3-5 ECAC)
Previous three: 1/10 vs. Holy Cross W 5-2, 1/8 @ Vermont L 1-0, 1/3 vs. Merrimack W 3-0.
It’s all because of the Ledyard Classic. Bligh and Grant are have been huge for Bob Gaudet’s team. There was the possibility to have a solid winning streak going, but the Big Green suffered from a 1-0 loss against an inspired Vermont team on Marty St. Louis’ jersey retirement night.
Next three: 1/15 vs. Clarkson, 1/16 vs. St. Lawrence, 1/22 @ Cornell.
Gabbi:
8. Princeton Tigers: (4-12-2, 3-7-2 ECAC)
Previous three: 1/8 vs. Union T 4-4, 1/7 vs. RPI T 3-3, 1/2 @ Holy Cross L 4-3.
After getting manhandled by the Bobcats at Hobey Baker Rink, they jumped out and surprised a Quinnipiac team in Hamden. While that jump didn’t last all that long, the fact that the nation’s no. 2 team had to fight back against a 4-12-2 overall team shows a few highlights to the squad.
Next three: 1/26 vs. AIC, 1/29 @ Harvard, 1/30 @ Dartmouth.
Andrew:
8. Brown Bears: (4-8-3, 2-5-2 ECAC)
Previous three: 1/3 vs. Providence W 4-3, 12/30 vs. Lake Superior State L 3-0, 12/29 vs. Colgate W 7-5.
Nick Lappin (23 points) is a top-five forward in the ECAC and has been a bona fide goal scorer for Brown. Lappin and freshman Tommy Marchin took home last weeks ECAC Player of the Week and Rookie of the Week respectively. The Bears certainly have the skill to challenge the top of the ECAC. It was evident in their 4-3 victory over then-no. 1 Providence last week.
Next three: 1/15 @ Yale, 1/16 vs. Yale, 1/22 @ St. Lawrence.
Andrew:
9. Dartmouth Big Green: (6-8-1, 3-5 ECAC)
Previous three: 1/10 vs. Holy Cross W 5-2, 1/8 @ Vermont L 1-0, 1/3 vs. Merrimack W 3-0.
The Big Green currently are tied for 25th in the PairWise and are 3-1 in their last four games. Dartmouth suffered a huge loss when leading points scorer Nick Bligh (11 points) went down with an upper body injury in the teams 1-0 loss to Vermont. In his previous three games before getting hurt, Bligh totaled seven points.
Next three: 1/15 vs. Clarkson, 1/16 vs. St. Lawrence, 1/22 @ Cornell.
Gabbi:
9. Union Dutchmen: (9-7-5, 2-6-2 ECAC)
Previous three: 1/8 @ Princeton T 4-4, 1/7 @ Quinnipiac L 5-0, 1/3 vs. Robert Morris W 5-4.
(The teams in the middle are pretty even but again, the overall is 9-7-5 with an even goals for/goals against). It strikes me as a little odd that this team is still receiving votes in the USCHO poll. The biggest piece they still have is Mike Vecchione, and unless they shock and go into the playoffs, they’re on the outside looking in.
Next three: 1/15 vs. Colgate, 1/16 vs. Cornell, 1/23 vs. Rensselaer.
Gabbi:
10. Brown Bears: (4-8-3, 2-5-2 ECAC)
Previous three: 1/3 vs. Providence W 4-3, 12/30 vs. Lake Superior State L 3-0, 12/29 vs. Colgate W 7-5.
This team looks like they’re struggling to lift off, even after they defeated then-no. 1 Providence in its last game. The Bears’ schedule is ranked 19th hardest in KRACH rankings, and if this team could steal a few games could get themselves in the mix with the teams stuck in the middle.
Next three: 1/15 @ Yale, 1/16 vs. Yale, 1/22 @ St. Lawrence.
Andrew:
10. Princeton Tigers: (4-12-2, 3-7-2 ECAC)
Previous three: 1/8 vs. Union T 4-4, 1/7 vs. RPI T 3-3, 1/2 @ Holy Cross L 4-3.
The Tigers haven’t won a game since Dec. 5 and are 0-4-2 since. Things aren’t looking bright for Princeton at the moment.
Next three: 1/26 vs. AIC, 1/29 @ Harvard, 1/30 @ Dartmouth.
Andrew:
11. Colgate Raiders: (6-14-1, 2-6-1 ECAC)
Previous three: 1/9 @ Maine W 5-1, 1/8 @ Maine L 3-1, 12/30 @ Vermont L 4-1.
The defense has been atrocious this season for the Raiders, they rolled three lines this past weekend against Maine, and are 3-9-1 since November.
Next three: 1/15 @ Union, 1/16 @ RPI, 1/22 vs. Harvard.
Gabbi:
11. Colgate Radiers: (6-14-1, 2-6-1 ECAC)
Previous three: 1/9 @ Maine W 5-1, 1/8 @ Maine L 3-1, 12/30 @ Vermont L 4-1.
It’s been hard for the team to keep something consistent going, and the second half of the season doesn’t look to get any easier with nine of their last 11 games on the road.
Next three: 1/15 @ Union, 1/16 @ RPI, 1/22 vs. Harvard.
Gabbi:
12. Clarkson Golden Knights: (8-9-2, 0-5-2 ECAC)
Previous three: 1/3 @ Bowling Green W 3-2, 1/2 @ Bowling Green L 6-3, 12/29 vs. Penn State L 5-1.
I want to boost them up because they’re close to .500 overall and tied a very tough Quinnipiac team on the road. But, winless in the conference puts the Golden Knights at the bottom.
Next three: 1/12 vs. St. Lawrence, 1/15 @ Dartmouth, 1/16 @ Harvard.
Andrew:
12. Clarkson Golden Knights: (8-9-2, 0-5-2 ECAC)
Previous three: 1/3 @ Bowling Green W 3-2, 1/2 @ Bowling Green L 6-3, 12/29 vs. Penn State L 5-1.
No wins in ECAC play = last place in this weeks rankings.
Next three: 1/12 vs. St. Lawrence, 1/15 @ Dartmouth, 1/16 @ Harvard.
