11/16/13 night game previews

All 10 NESCAC teams are in action today, with three night time games.  In the afternoon games, Wesleyan took care of Conn College 5-2 and Trinity/Tufts is currently in progress.

Amherst (1-0-0) at Hamilton (0-1-0) 7 PM
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Hamilton scored their first goal against Amherst in four games last night but could not pull out the victory, ultimately losing 5-2.  The travel partners cross the Mass/NY border and face off again tonight in the "Citrus Bowl." The Citrus Bowl is traditionally the first Hamilton men's NESCAC home game of the season (though last year it was the first home game of the second semester) and fans theoretically throw oranges on the ice after the Conts first goal. NESCAC and the Hamilton administration have since squashed the tradition, thought it wouldn't have mattered the last two seasons, as Trinity blanked the Continentals both times. The game is still the most widely attended of the season by a normally less than enthusiastic student body, though some people aren't happy with the loss of tradition. 

it is a beautiful day for the #CitrusBowl
— Robbie Murden (@rmurden11) November 16, 2013

Players to watch
Dave Cunningham (G, '16) Cunningham made 19 saves in his third NESCAC game. How will he hold up in a hostile environment in his first ever road conference start?

Mike DiMare (F, '14) DiMare looked good in his first game back from an injury plagued 2012-13 season last night with a goal and an assist (1-1-2). Can DiMare light the lamp in his final Citrus Bowl?

In honor of the Citrus Bowl, here's Led Zeppelin's "Tangerine" 



Bowdoin (0-0-0) at  Middlebury (0-0-0)  7 PM 
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The maruqee matchup of the evening comes in the season opener for both teams. Bowdoin begins the season as the defending NESCAC champion and the prohibitive front-runner for this season's crown, but Middlebury is a talented and well-coached team that is poised to challenge the Polar Bears. In coach Beaney's own admission, the Polar Bears are "far and away the best" in the NESCAC.

Last season, the teams tied opening weekend in Brunswick and Bowdoin blanked Middlebury 3-0 in Vermonton January 19th. USCHO'S Tim Costello has Bowdoin eeking out a 3-2 victory and on the USCHO fan forum NESCAC Pick'em thread, seven posters picked Middlbury to win while five like the Polar Bears. Should be a very good game.

First game of the season and first college game of my career tonight. Thank you to everyone who has helped me get to this point #humbled
— Kendall Culbertson (@CulbertReport) November 16, 2013

Players to watch  
Ollie Koo (D/F, '14) Last year's leading scorer for the Polar Bears has at least a point in each of his five career games against the Panthers (3-3-6).

Middlebury goalie One of the biggest concerns heading into the season for the Panthers is goaltending. We're not even sure who will start in net.

3-4 sounds like a reasonable score prediction between the Polar Bears and Panthers, so here's Polar Bear Club - "3-4 Tango" 




Colby (0-0-0) at Williams (0-0-0) 7 PM
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Like Bowdoin/Middlebury, this is the first game of the season for the Mules and Ephs. It's also a rematch of last season's NESCAC Quarterfinal, which the Ephs won 2-1 in Williamstown.  Williams also won the two regular season matchups and the Mules haven't won at Lansing Chapman Rink since January of 2008.  USCHOs Tim Costello likes the Ephs in another 2-1 game and all the NESCAC Pick'em posters have the Ephs as well. This is also our first opportunity to watch a Williams game on Northeast Sports Network with the Ephs broadcast duo of a pro and a student. Should be interesting.

Embrace the nerves. They let you know its important and its real. Pressure is a privilege #colbyhockey #gameday
— Chris Hall (@chall4431) November 16, 2013

Players to watch
Nick Lanza (F, '14) The Mules co-captain and leading scorer from last year scored his first collegiate goal in Williamstown back in January of 2011. In six career games against the Ephs, the Rocky Hill, CT native has three points (2-1-3).

Peter Mistretta (F, '15) Mistretta led the team in goals by a six tally margin last season despite missing the last seven games due to a concussion. How will he fare in his return? In just four career games against Colby he has been a Mule killer, garnerning six points (4-2-6).

The Mules ended last season in Williamstown and they start this season in Williamstown. John Fogerty - "Deja Vu (All Over Again)"