ECAC Hockey picks: Nov. 10-11

It’s the first full weekend of conference play in ECAC Hockey. All games start at 7 p.m. unless otherwise noted.

Last time: 7-6-1

Overall: 12-9-4

Friday, Nov. 10

Clarkson at Brown

The Golden Knights began league play with four points against Rensselaer and Union last weekend. Take away two empty-net goals against Yale in its season opener, and Brown has averaged less than two goals per game. Gavin Nieto has been solid in net for the Bears, but they’ll need to generate some offense if they want to beat Clarkson. Clarkson wins

Harvard at Colgate

This has become a more intriguing matchup over the past few weeks. Colgate is 1-0-1 in league play and unbeaten in five straight games overall, thanks to a strong defensive effort and Colton Point’s play in goal. However, the Raiders haven’t faced a team as balanced as the Crimson during that unbeaten streak. Harvard wins

Quinnipiac at Rensselaer

The Bobcats are 0-2 in conference play for the first time since joining ECAC Hockey in 2005.  I don’t think that streak will extend to 0-3 against the Engineers, who have allowed nearly four-and-half goals per game in conference play. Quinnipiac wins

Cornell at Dartmouth

Dartmouth recorded its first wins of the year last weekend, but the Big Red have yet to lose so far this year, going 4-0 through its first two weekends of play. Senior Hayden Stewart was solid in relief of freshman goalie Matthew Galajda last Saturday at Princeton. Regardless of who starts in net for Cornell, I think the Big Red win. Cornell wins

Princeton at Union

The Dutchmen are 5-1 over their last six games and haven’t lost to Princeton in more than seven years. The Tigers should be a contender this season, but it’s early in the season for them and Union is playing at home. Union wins

St. Lawrence at Yale

St. Lawrence has really struggled to start the year. At 2-2, Yale is still finding its footing as well, but I’ve got to think the Bulldogs will find a way to win at home, even if coach Keith Allain will be watching from Germany. Yale wins

Saturday, Nov. 11

Dartmouth at Colgate, 4 p.m.

I think the Raiders defense and Point are the difference in this game. Colgate wins

St. Lawrence at Brown

Like I said above, the Saints have struggled so far, and it’s tough to pick them unless they can get something going. Brown wins

Princeton at Rensselaer

Princeton’s scoring numbers are skewed by a scoreless tie last Friday against Colgate, but I think the Tigers are primed for an offensive outburst. RPI doesn’t score at a high rate, but has one of the best shooting percentages in the county, so this could turn into a slugfest. Princeton wins

Clarkson at Yale

The Golden Knights have been playing well to start the year, while it’s been tough to get a feel for the Bulldogs, who have beaten Harvard and lost to Dartmouth and Brown. I’ll take Clarkson’s consistency from the start of the season. Clarkson wins

Harvard at Cornell, 7:30 p.m.

Both of these teams should be near the top of the league’s standings when the regular season ends. However, I like the way the Big Red have started the season so far. Cornell wins

Quinnipiac at Union, 7:30 p.m.

The Bobcats will be better this year, but it was hard to find positives in a winless weekend last time out for Quinnipiac.  Like I mentioned previously, Union has played much better since its 0-5 start. Union wins