1. Amherst (2-0-0; 2-0-0)
The week that was: The Lord Jeffs swept the home-and-home with travel partner Hamilton, beating the Continentals 5-2 in Amherst on Friday and 3-1 in Clinton on Saturday, spoiling Hamilton's annual "Citrus Bowl." Two of the eight goals were empty netters and only three Jeffs scored (Brown, Rowbotham, Safstrom), so they'll need some depth going forward. They also gave up 12 power plays, which worked against the lowly Hamilton PP, but will cost them in the future if they can't cut back. All in all, though, a good first weekend for Amherst. Defense was solid with only 35 shots allowed and sophomore Dave Cunningham (G, '16) did the job in net.
The week ahead: The other two first place teams, Trinity and Wesleyan, visit Amherst this weekend. The Lord Jeffs have a front loaded home schedule, playing five of their remaining six games in 2013 at home. The only road contest comes in an out-of-conference affair with Babson on November 30th. Amherst opens its out-of-conference schedule at home next Tuesday with the currently winless St. Michael's Puple Knights of the ECAC East.
Player of the week: Conor Brown (F, '16) The sophomore from Greely,Ontario scored half the Jeffs goals on the weekend and finished with five points (4-1-5).
1. Trinity (2-0-0; 2-0-0)1st in NESCAC - 4 points
This week's record: 2-0-0
The week that was: The Bantams opened up the season at home with the two teams that didn't make last season's NESCAC playoffs. On Friday against Conn College, Trinity trailed or was tied for the first two period before breaking away with three goals in the third period. On Saturday, the Bantams needed a goal in the final four minutes to defeat cellar-dweller Tufts 4-3. Offensively, Trinity showed a balanced attack with seven Bantams, including two freshman, scoring and the team getting off a total of 94 shots. Defensively, the Bantams gave up sixty shots, but they gave up 35 a game last year. In net, First Team All-NESCAC goalie Ben Coulthard (G, '14) wasn't spectacular but he did what he needed to, giving up five goals on sixty shots (.917 save5).
The week ahead: Trinity hits the road for Amherst on Friday and Hamilton on Saturday. The Bantams swept this trip last year, including a 7-4 spanking of a defensively solid Lord Jeffs team.
Player of the week: Mike Hawkrigg (F, '15) The hero of the 2013 NESCAC Quarterfinals led the Bantams in points (1-5-6), including setting up rookie Ryan Cole (F, '17) for the go-ahead goal on Saturday.
1. Wesleyan (2-0-0; 2-0-0)
1st in NESCAC - 4 points
This week's record: 2-0-0
This week's record: 2-0-0
The week that was: Wesleyan had a similar weekend as travel partner Trinity, as the Cardinals downed Tufts by one with a late third period goal and beat Conn College 5-2 . A goal with four seconds remaining in regulation by freshman Elliot Vorel (F, '17) capped off a five point opener for the redbirds rookie and vanquished the Jumbos 5-4 on Friday. They scored three unanswered goals on Saturday after being tied at two to take care of CC on Saturday. Despite the score, they gave up 38 shots, leaving rookie goalie Dawson Sprigings (G, '17) to make 36 saves in the win.
The Cardinals also had back-to-back days of checking from behind game misconducts from Jaren Taenaka (F, '16) on Friday (allowing Vorel up to the first line) and Terence Durkin (F, '16) on Saturday. 2013 NESCAC Player of the Year Keith Buehler (F,'14) had three points on opening night (1-2-3) but sat out the second game. Apparently it was precautionary for his groin. We shall see this weekend.
From Vorel's seven points to Sprigings 36 saves and Cole Morrissette (D/F, '17) playing both D and forward, the Cardinals freshman stole the show for the weekend.
The week ahead: The Cardinals hit the road for match-ups with Hamilton and Amherst on Saturday and Sunday. We'll finally get to see the Cardinals play, since WesCast did not webcast either of the first two home games. On Tuesday the 26th they travel to Easton, MA for their first non-conference tilt of the year against Stonehill (3-2-0).
The Cardinals also had back-to-back days of checking from behind game misconducts from Jaren Taenaka (F, '16) on Friday (allowing Vorel up to the first line) and Terence Durkin (F, '16) on Saturday. 2013 NESCAC Player of the Year Keith Buehler (F,'14) had three points on opening night (1-2-3) but sat out the second game. Apparently it was precautionary for his groin. We shall see this weekend.
From Vorel's seven points to Sprigings 36 saves and Cole Morrissette (D/F, '17) playing both D and forward, the Cardinals freshman stole the show for the weekend.
The week ahead: The Cardinals hit the road for match-ups with Hamilton and Amherst on Saturday and Sunday. We'll finally get to see the Cardinals play, since WesCast did not webcast either of the first two home games. On Tuesday the 26th they travel to Easton, MA for their first non-conference tilt of the year against Stonehill (3-2-0).
Player of the week: Elliott Vorel (F, '17) 7 points (4-3-7). First weekend of college hockey. NESCAC Player of the Week. 'Nuff said.
4th in NESCAC - 3 points
This week's record: 1-0-1
This week's record: 1-0-1
The week that was: Middlebury opened up their season at home with the most anticipated game on Saturday, facing off against defending NESCAC champion Bowdoin. The Panthers fell behind early but led 2-1 for much of the third period. If not for a tying goal at the 12:44 mark of the third period and great goaltending from Bowdoin's Max Fenkell (G, 15), the Panthers would have won. They followed up the tie with a 7-1 dismantling of Colby.
For the weekend, the Panthers outshot opponents 38.5 to 18.5 shots per game and went 4-12 on the power plays to their opponents' 0/9. Six different Panthers scored and 13 had at least one point. Goalie Mike Peters (G, '15), who earned the starting job towards the tail end of his sophomore season, gave up three goals on 37 shots. If he continues his solid goaltending, the Panthers are the (still very) early season favorites in the 'Cac.
The week ahead: Panthers hit the road for the first time this season with league tilts against winless Tufts and Conn College.
4. Williams (1-0-1; 1-0-1) 4th in NESCAC - 3 points
This week's record 1-0-1
The week that was: Like the Panthers, Williams sits in fourth place but should feel pretty good about their prospects. It took a Colby goal in the final five minutes to force a tie on Saturday and the Ephs thoroughly handed Bowdoin, 5-2, in a rematch of last season's NESCAC championship. The defense and goal-tending were there, as expected, but the offense showed considerable skill, even with last year's leading goal scorer, Pete Mistretta (F, '15), out on Sunday. Williams freshman had a considerable impact, including goals from James McNamara (D, '17) and George Hunkele (F, '17) as well as Tyler Young (F, '17) showing off his playmaking ability. He may, however, want to avoid the three penalties he took on opening night in future outings.
This was also the first weekend of Northast Sports Network (NSN) broadcasting for the Ephs. The two-man booth of a "professional" and a student was a nice touch and should only get better with some more rapport building. The camera, however, seems to be the same remote controlled, blurry one from last season. And while you might think having a score line at the top is nice, people have complained that it is distracting and obscures the view of the ice.
The week ahead: Williams faces a pair of last place opponents on the road in Conn College and Tufts.
Player of the week: Sean Dougherty (G, '15.) Dougherty wasn't the player of the game in either contest, with Colby's Parker being tested more often on Saturday and the Ephs offense outshining Dougherty on Sunday. But he ended the weekend with only three goals allowed and the best save percentage (.950) of the young 'Cac season. Knowing they have a good goalie between the pipes can change a team's entire approach to the game.
6. Bowdoin (0-1-1; 0-1-1)
6th in NESCAC - 1 pointThis week's record: 0-1-1
The week that was: A disappointing opening weekend for the defending 'Cac champs; a tie against Middlebury, which would have been a loss if not for Max Fenkell (G, '15) and a relative beatdown on Sunday by Williams. Last year's leading scorer Olie Koo (D/F, '14) was held pointless, there were several defensive breakdowns and the most powerful power play in the 'Cac from last year went 0/6 on the weekend.
Rankings are a bit silly at this point in the season, but Bowdoin fell from the USCHO Top 15 poll for the first time since January 2012 or 29 ranking periods ago. It's also silly to predict the demise of the Polar Bears this early in the season, but there are plenty of concerning things coach Terry Meagher will need to address.
The week ahead: Rivalry week. Bowdoin travels to Waterille to play Colby on Friday then home to Brunswick for another game against the Mules on Saturday. Saturday's game is "Sold Out." While tickets are free they needed to be picked up and all available tickets have been claimed. On Tuesday, Bowdoin gets its first taste of OOC action down in Biddeford against interstate rival University of New England.
Player of the week: Max Fenkell (G, '15) Fenkell had 34 big saves against Middlebury to earn the Polar Bears their only point of the weekend. Fenkell didn't play on Sunday as the Polar Bears go with a weekend rotation (until the playoffs) of Fenkell and Steve Messina (G, '14).
6. Colby (1-1-1; 0-1-1) 6th in NESCAC - 1 point
This week's record: 1-1-0
The week that was : Colby earned a tie with Williams on Saturday on the strength of starting goaltender Sam Parker(G, '15)'s 41 saves. They then got blow out by Middlebury, 7-1, to conclude the road trip. Freshman Ben Csiernik (G, '17) saw his first college action when he replaced Parker for the third period, giving up two goals on 14 shots. In their home opener Tuesday against non-conference University of Southern Maine, Colby downed the Huskies 5-2 despite being outshot 43-26. The Mules were outshot 126-72 in the three games. On special teams, the Mules were 1/15 on the power play and gave up four goals in 19 man advantages rendered.
The youth movement has begun in Waterville. Nine different freshman and a sophomore transfer (Alex Walsh) saw playing time over the course of the three games. It's a mix of youth and experience for coach Blaise MacDonald as six key seniors also skate for the Mules.
The week ahead: Rivalry week. Hosting Bowdoin on Friday then at Bowdoin on Saturday. With a new set of home and away jerseys and a third alternate grey jersey they wore against USM, what sweaters will the Mules wear this weekend?
Player of the week: Ray Zeek (F, '15) Heading into Tuesday's game against USM, Zeek's two goals were the only tallies for the Mules on the season. He then added another one against the Huskies for three (3-0-3) for the week.
8. Connecticut College (0-2-0; 0-2-0) 8th in NESCAC - 0 points
This week's record: 0-2-0
The week that was: The trek across the nutmeg state was not fruitful for the Camels as they lost a pair of 5-2 games to Trinity and Wesleyan. Conn College was tied at two in both games before giving up three unanswered goals in both contests (each had an empty netter). Mike Petchonka (G, '14) got the start on Friday and gave up four goals on 43 shots to the Bantams, while Tom Conlin (G, '16) gave up four goals on 28 shots to the Cardinals.
The week ahead: The Camels have a tough weekend at home against Williams on Friday and Middlebury on Saturday.
8. Hamilton (0-2-0; 0-2-0)8th in NESCAC - 0 points
This week's record: 0-2-0
The week that was: Hamilton opened up with the home-and-home against travel partner Amherst. Last season, Hamilton started the season with back-to-back 1-0 losses to the Lord Jeffs. The Continentals scored three more goals on opening weekend this season, but they also let up six more, losing 5-2 on the road and 3-1 in their home opener AKA "The Citrus Bowl." One bright spot for the Conts: two key players that missed significant time to injury last year, assistant captains Mike DiMare (F, '14) and Kenny Matheson (F, '16), both scored and appear to be healthy and playing well. Defenses will look to bottle these two up, so Hamilton will need some secondary help going forward.
The week ahead: Hamilton hosts Wesleyan on Saturday and Trinity on Sunday. Last season, Trinity spoiled the Citrus Bowl with a late goal to make it 1-0 and Wesleyan scored 11 goals in their trip to the only non-New England school in the NESCAC. Other than a December 1st trip to way upstate New York against lowly Canton, the Conts are home in Clinton until the end of the year.
Player of the week: Kenny Matheson (F, '16) The only Continental to have double digit points (1-1-2) including a very nice assist to DiMare on his Friday night goal.
Player of the week: Kenny Matheson (F, '16) The only Continental to have double digit points (1-1-2) including a very nice assist to DiMare on his Friday night goal.
8. Tufts (0-2-0; 0-2-0) 8th in NESCAC - 0 points
This week's record: 0-2-0
The week that was: A pair of tough one goal losses on the road in both contests against Wesleyan on Friday and Trinity on Saturday. The Jumbos lost the tie with four seconds left on Friday and less than four minutes remaining on Saturday. Defensively, the Jumbos gave up 83 shots on the weekend, which, needles to say, is not going to win you very many games. Freshman Ryan Kellenberger (G, '17) started in net on Friday and replaced senior Brian Phillips (G, '14) on Saturday when the later left after just five minutes due to an undisclosed lower body injury. Offensively, George Pantazopoulous (F, '15) scored two power plays and five other Jumbos each added a tally.
The week ahead: The Jumbos open their home schedule with two of the strongest teams in the 'Cac, Middlebury on Friday and Williams on Saturday. They then face OOC opponent Becker (0-4-1) at home on Tuesday.
Player of the week: George Pantazopoulous (F, '15) The Milton Academy product was the only Jumbo to score twice and both tallies came on the power play.
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