Who: Tufts University Jumbos (4-6-1; 1-5-1) at Hamilton College Continentals (3-6-3;2-5-2)
Where: Sage Rink Clinton, NY
Where: Sage Rink Clinton, NY
4.36 G/GM Allowed (10th in NESCAC; <60th in the Nation)
Hamilton : 2.00 G/GM Scored (10th in NESCAC; < 60th in Nation)
2.75 G/GM Allowed (5th in NESCAC; 30th in Nation)
The Lowdown: Playoffs? Don't talk about playoffs!
Tufts comes in losers of five of six after their 6-2 beating at Amherst last night. Hamilton enters their fourth straight home game following a 2-2 tie with Conn College; a tie they are lucky to have pulled out, needing 59 minutes and 53.6 seconds of hockey to pull even.
8 of the 10 teams make the NESCAC playoffs, which ninth place Tufts would currently be watching on webcast if the playoffs started to day. There's still plenty of time left (11 games including today for the Jumbos) to move up the standings, but getting points today will be imperative for a Jumbo team that doesn't have any points in conference play since a Nov.17 win against Wesleyan, almost two months ago.
From Hamilton's perspective, they can't afford to leave points on the table against the ninth place team. Hamilton, who has played two more league games than the Jumbos and currently has a precarious hold on the sixth spot, needs a win to put some space between themselves and the bottom of the conference.
Key(s) to the game: Breakout
Rob Haberbusch is probably very proud off his team's ability to tie games in the final minute, having done so four of the six times they've had an opportunity this year. That being said, I'm sure he'd much rather his team not have to tie the game in the final minute.( no ___ sherlock). Going against the worst defense in the NESCAC may be just the ticket for the worst offense.
Players to watch
Tufts Derek Metcalfe (G, Fr.) The freshman netminder faced a 38 shot onslaught from Amherst last night. If the Jr. Bruins product, who has played both games of 2013 for the Jumbos, starts, can he keep the Hamilton offense looking to get back on track from lighting up the net?
Hamilton Mike Dimare (F, Jr.) The leading scorer for the 2011-12 Continentals scored his second goal of the year last night and might be turning a corner with the hand injury that has plagued his season. The Continentals will need him to be big, both today and going forward, if they want to make a run in the NESCAC.
Players to watch
Tufts Derek Metcalfe (G, Fr.) The freshman netminder faced a 38 shot onslaught from Amherst last night. If the Jr. Bruins product, who has played both games of 2013 for the Jumbos, starts, can he keep the Hamilton offense looking to get back on track from lighting up the net?
Hamilton Mike Dimare (F, Jr.) The leading scorer for the 2011-12 Continentals scored his second goal of the year last night and might be turning a corner with the hand injury that has plagued his season. The Continentals will need him to be big, both today and going forward, if they want to make a run in the NESCAC.
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