We have entered the quarterfinal round of the playoffs. Quinnipiac was the only lower seed that moved on at the No. 9 seed so it will go No. 1 vs. No. 9, No. 2 vs. No. 7, No. 3 vs. No. 6 and No. 4 vs. No. 5
Last time: 6-4-2
Overall: 66-45-12
No. 9 Quinnipiac vs. No. 1 Cornell
Season Series: Cornell, 2-0
7 p.m. Friday, 7 p.m. Saturday, 4 p.m. Sunday (If Necessary)
Despite the seeding, this should be a good series as both regular season games were one goal games. The first game at Quinnipiac was 2-1 in favor of the Big Red while Cornell won 1-0 at home in the second game. I expect a couple of more close games.
Cornell has only scored more than three goals three times since the new year while Quinnipiac has done it seven times in the same time frame. If the Bobcats can somehow solve the brick wall known as Matthew Galajda, they have a chance if they can put more than a couple of goals on the board.
The Big Red biggest advantage is they are able to spread the scoring out as they have only two guys with double digits in goals this season.
Cornell in two
No. 7 Princeton vs. No. 2 Union
Season Series: Union, 2-0
7 p.m. Friday, 7 p.m. Saturday, 7 p.m. Sunday (If Necessary)
Another intriguing matchup on the docket as Union is unbeaten against Princeton in the past 20 games going 17-0-3. Don’t expect the Tigers to roll over and play dead as they are playing very well since the middle of January as they are 9-2-1 since January 13. One of the losses was to Union on Feb. 17. The Dutchmen has been outstanding in the same stretch going 9-1-1.
Both teams have plenty of offensive weapons as the Dutchmen have three guys with 30 or more points in Ryan Scarfo (33), Cale Maier (32) and Sebastien Vidmar (30). Princeton has four guys with 30 or more points. Max Véronneau (50), Ryan Kuffner (48), Jackson Cressey (36) and David Hallisey (35).
This series will come down to goaltending and Union has that advantage. Jake Kupsky has taking control the Dutchmen crease and he’s 11-9-2 a 2.33 goals against average and a .922 save percentage. Ryan Ferland is the Tigers go to guy and he’s 14-10-1 with a 3.04 gaa and a .911 save percentage.
Union in three
No. 6 Colgate vs. No. 3 Clarkson
Season Series: Clarkson 2-0
7 p.m. Friday, 7 p.m. Saturday, 7 p.m. Sunday (If Necessary)
The Golden Knights needed a break after the past month, but they will have a challenge on their hands with Colgate. Clarkson won both games 5-2 in the regular season, I have a difficult time they will win by three or more goals two more times.
Sheldon Rempal has heated up the past month for the Golden Knights as he has nine points in his past four games. Clarkson depth will cause the Raiders problems with their sophomore line of Rempal-Devon Brosseau-Nico Sturm and the freshmen line of Josh Dickson-Jack Jacome-Kevin Charyszyn.
If Colgate wants to pull off the upset, Colton Point will need to play three of his best games of the season. He’s in fine form as he has only allowed six goals in his past six games including a shutout on Sunday. He will keep the Raiders in striking distance in each game in my opinion.
Clarkson in three
No. 5 Dartmouth vs. No. 4 Harvard
Season Series: Harvard, 2-0
7 p.m. Friday, 7 p.m. Saturday, 5 p.m. Sunday (If Necessary).
Harvard is another team that needed a break after a crazy month for the Donato’s, but they face Dartmouth who’s on all cylinders as they are 13-7-1 since their loss to Denver. Harvard is 9-7-3 in the second half of the year.
The key for Harvard will be Ryan Donato, while playing in the final two regular season games wasn’t necessary per se as they had the first round bye locked up, it was important two games to get readjusted back to the college speed from the Olympics. If he’s on his game, Dartmouth will have to contain him. Lewis Zerter-Gossage has also been playing well with six points in his past four games.
Dartmouth will be relying Will Graber-Shane Sellar-Quin Foreman as they all have been dominating the competition since the 4-1 loss to Harvard on Feb. 2 in Hanover, N.H. With the Crimson’s consistency issues, Dartmouth has a chance to steal a game or possibility the series.
Harvard in three
