Where: Lansing Chapman Rink Williamstown, MA
When: 1 PM Saturday 2/23/13
Video/Audio: Teamline Video
Overall (Conference Rank) Conference Games (conf. rank)
Offense: 2.75 G/GM (8th) Offense: 2.61 G/GM (7th)
Defense: 3.58 G/GM (7th) Defense: 3.83 G/GM (9th)
Power Play: 16/95 -16.8% (8th) Power Play: 11/70 -15.7% (8th)
Penalty Kill: 64/83 - 77.1% (7th) Penalty Kill: 50/65 - 76.9% (7th)
Overall (Conference Rank) Conference Games (conf. rank)Offense: 3.08 G/GM (6th) Offense: 3.00 G/GM (6th)
Defense: 2.04 G/GM (2nd) Defense: 1.94 G/GM (1st)
Power Play: 13/80-26.2% (9th) Power Play: 11/61 -18.0% (6th)
Penalty Kill: 71/83 - 85.5% (3rd) Penalty Kill: 56/64 - 87.5% (1st)
The Lowdown
Colby heads in to Williamstown on a 3 game win streak that catapulted hem from outside the playoff party to the seven seed. The Ephs swept the Amherst/Hamilton weekend to take the two seed. Here's what the official NESCAC site has to say about this game:
"After falling 4-1 to Bowdoin on January 18, Williams (15-6-3, 12-4-2 NESCAC) went 7-1-2 over the final month to seal the second seed. The Ephs’ stretch run included wins over Middlebury, Amherst and Hamilton. They will be looking to make their fourth trip to the semifinal round since 2009 when they open up tournament play against seventh seeded Colby (7-14-3, 5-11-2 NESCAC) on Saturday. The Mules used a three-game winning streak to force their way into the tournament. After defeating Wesleyan 4-2 on Monday, they topped Connecticut College and Tufts over the weekend. Williams swept the season series, winning 3-2 on November 17 and 9-2 on January 19. The Ephs dropped quarterfinal round games at Colby in both 2004 and 2005."
Here's what Tim Costello (along with Conn College Coach Jim Ward) of USCHO has to say:
No. 2 Williams vs. No. 7 Colby
Williams earned the second seed by its consistent play all season, while Colby rallied late in the year to move from the bottom of the standings to the seventh seed by winning four of its last seven games, and three in a row in conference.
Williams earned the second seed by its consistent play all season, while Colby rallied late in the year to move from the bottom of the standings to the seventh seed by winning four of its last seven games, and three in a row in conference.
Both games in the regular season went to the Ephs by scores of 3-2 and 9-2. The 9-2 drubbing at home in mid-January may actually have been the catalyst for the Mules to start playing their best hockey, as they finished the season with a 4-1-2 streak after the loss that saw Williams put up nine goals in the first 40 minutes of play.
What do you like about this one coach?
“I really have been impressed with Williams this season,” stated Ward. “They usually tail off at the end of the year, but not this season. I like their defensive group a lot, and their goalie along with the Trinity kid may be the two best in the conference. Colby has got it going late, but their defense certainly isn’t as strong as Williams’, and I think that could be the difference in this one.”
Read more: http://www.uscho.com/2013/02/21/a-most-interesting-round-of-eight/#ixzz2Lk2WUkz3For a preview of the game from Colby's persective, click here. For our regular season recaps, Williams and Colby.
Pregame Tweets
And here's a couple tweets to get you fired up for the game. One from the Mules Scott Harf and the other from the Ephs Sean Dougherty.
Nothing better than playoff hockey. #gameday.
— Scott Harff (@scottharff) February 23, 2013
Playoffs at 1 down at the chap today. Tickets are $1. Drop my name and they will still cost $1
— Sean Dougherty (@therealseannyd) February 23, 2013
Players to watch
Nick Lanza (F, Jr.) The Mules Joe Concannon semifinalist had two assists but no goals last weekend in their sweep of Conn and Tufts. To beat a stingy Williams team, Colby might need their leading scorer to light the lamp.
Sean Dougherty (G, So.) The only sophomore Joe Concannon semifinalist led the conference in overall goals against average (GAA) 2.03 and was tied for GAA in conference games 1.93. He was second in both overall save percentage (.931) and conference save percentage (.934). If there was a question mark for the Ephs in net heading into the season, there isn't anymore.
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