Williams at Hamilton 3 PM Saturday 2/16/13

Who: Williams College Ephs (14-6-3;11-4-2)at Hamilton College Continentals  (6-14-3; 4-11-2)
Where: Sage Rink Clinton, NY

When: 3:00 PM Saturday 2/16/13
Video/Audio: Hamilton Athletics

Offense: 3.04 G/GM scored (6th in NESCAC; 39th in Nation)
Defense: 2.00 G/GM allowed (3rd in NESCAC; 9th in Nation)
Power Play: 12/77 - 15.58% (7th in NESCAC; 60th in Nation)
Penalty Kill: 69/79- 87.3% (3rd in NESCAC; 7th in Nation)

Offense: 2.17 G/GM scored (10th in NESCAC; <60th in Nation)
Defense: 3.65 G/GM allowed (7th in NESCAC; 48th in Nation)
Power Play: 11/117  9.4% (10th in NESCAC; <60th in Nation)
Penalty Kill: 68/89 - 76.4% (8th in NESCAC; 60th in nation) 

The Lowdown: Different Positions

The final game of the regular season is important for both the Ephs and Conts, but for different reasons. Williams, currently tied with Middlebury for second,  has clinched a home playoff spot (though the Ephs recap from last night would disagree); but even if it is so, the purple cows can fall anywhere from second to fourth. Hamilton, tied with Colby for seventh, clinches a playoff spot with a tie and makes a strong case for seventh with a win. That will be a tough road for a team that is (1-7-0) in their last 8, against a nationally ranked Williams team coming off a big win against rival Amherst last night. The teams first met on December 8th with the Ephs winning  2-1 on the strength of a 2-0 lead in the second period.

Key(s) to the game: On the road

Williams shouldn't be on the road next week for their quarterfinal playoff game, but today they have the longest travel between a Friday night/Saturday afternoon game in the 'CAC, making the trek from Amherst to Clinton, NY.  Hamilton had a standout OT win on the road against Trinity, but doesn't have a similar home win against quality competition to hang their hat on. If there is any day to pull off the upset, it would be on Senior Day against a team that has to take a long bus ride. 

Players to watch 

Eric Rubino (F, Sr.) Last regular season game for Rubino, who leads the Ephs senior cast in career points (31-27-58). 

Andrew White (D, Sr.) Senior Day and last home game for the Continentals co-captain. 

In honor of Senior Day for the Conts, we present Head Automatica's "Graudation Day"