Chances for the ECAC

[Earl_Leatherland]

It looks difficult this year, but I believe someone can step up to represent us well in the NCAA. Non-conference play for RPI was challenging this weekend, but against a WCHA team that is ranked lower than they are. Minnesota-Duluth is at the bottom of there division, but still managed to beat RPI 2 games to nothing this weekend.

Dartmouth goaltending appears to be there undoing. Shots on goal for there exhibition game were 51(Big Green) to 14, and the score still ended up with Dartmouth on the losing side at 3-2.

I think we all know what happened to Colgate, losing 8-0 Fri. and 9-0 Saturday. The Gophers are just a great team and had Colgate running the entire time. They had very few chances to even crack the goose egg on the board.

Clarkson is always my hope.

"Come on boys. Let them have it."

My prediction for the weekend? Thank you for asking.

Clarkson 4 - St. Lawrence 2

Let's get this roundtable going!!!

[joecct]

A couple of reasons why I disagree...

(1) lack of a TV contract.. Hurts in national exposure. Perception counts a lot more than reality.

(2) Colgate nada Minnesota 17. Don't think that this did not put out a zero competitiveness statement to the nation. Especially Friday night which was viewable to anyone with a satellite dish (who all moved over @ 8:30 to Wisc - NoDak).

(3) Record againt top 10 teams -- Oh fer.

(4) 32 game limit -- 29 for the Ivy. Lack of non-league games hurt RPI chances.

(5) Recent NCAA success. Thorow out SLU in 00 and you don't have a heck of a lot.

Upsides...

2 programs that bear watching... SLU and Harvard. I have a gut feeling that they'll be playing in the last game at Lake Placid.

Final score (betting the jockey vs. the horse) -- SLU 4 CCT 2

[Chris]

First of all, the goaltending of Dartmouth is not an issue. That was an exhibition game, don't worry about it. Nick Boucher is definitely one of the strong points on that team. Its his 4th year and he's gotten better in each.
I have to also disagree with Joe that SLU is one of the "teams to watch." They lost a lot of talent last year, and not many expect them to be in the top third of the conference. Clarkson will beat them on Saturday, have a little faith.

[Earl_Leatherland]

I'll agree with you Chris about SLUt. I don't think they will be far up the ladder, but I don't think Clarkson will be many rungs above. THEY WILL BEAT SLUt THIS WEEKEND THOUGH.

As for Dartmouth, even with it being an exhibition...3 goals in on 14 shots? I know you can't make a blanket statement about any team...but I will remain with my orginal statement, slightly amended. "It :Dappears:D that goaltending will be Dartmouth's undoing."

What was our preseason ranking according to the polls this year? I have tried to look at the preseason stuff and can't find it. I know they mean nothing, but I am interested none-the-less.

[Chris]

Clarkson was picked first in the ECAC preseason by the media and second by the coaches. I think 13th and 14th in the national polls as well. On the subject of Dartmouth again, they are just slow starters like Tech. I really think they will be a good team this year, top 3 in the conference. I grew up 5 minutes away from Dartmouth and have been to many games. I remember a game early last year against Princeton I believe, when Boucher let in like 5 goals on 15 shots. They clearly bounced back and made a strong run last year, and almost every key player is returning for this season. But, we will see.