Welcome back 'Cac. After a whirlwind slate of non-conference action from January 2nd - 6th (more on this later), the NESCAC returns to conference action tonight with all teams except for Tufts and Conn College in action.
Bowdoin (7-2-1; 3-2-1 NESCAC) at Hamilton (3-4-3; 2-2-1 NESCAC)
7 PM Clinton, NY
Video Live Stats
Bowdoin was the only NESCAC team to not play a game last week, as they haven't taken the ice since a December 9th victory over non-conference opponent Southern Maine. The weekend prior to that, Bowdoin lost both of its games at Tufts and Conn College to fall from the ranks of the unbeaten. The 11th ranked Polar Bears look for their first win outside of the state of Maine against the Continentals, a team that has gone 0-6-1 against Bowdoin since Rob Haberbusch took over as coach in the 2011-12 season.
Hamilton is currently winless in their last four (0-2-2), although their last game was a hardfought 1-1 tie against nationally ranked UMass-Boston in the consolation game of the Codfish Bowl in Boston on Monday. Zach "Arnie" Arnold (G, '15) made 41 saves to earn the tie. One of four Cont goalies that has seen action this season, he's likely to get the start tonight as Evan Buitenhuis (G, '18) continues to recover from a concussion suffered in November. On the other end, it's likely Max Fenkell (G, '15)'s job between the pipes.
Williams (7-2-1; 4-1-1 NESCAC) at Wesleyan (2-8-0; 1-3-0 NESCAC)
7 PM Middletown, CT
Video
12th ranked Williams heads to the Nutmeg State fresh off a sweep out west in which they disposed of Gustavus Adolphus and St. Olaf. They split their last conference action with a loss at home to Hamilton and a win over rival Amherst in early December. The host Cardinals haven't played a conference game since a November 22nd loss to Amherst and went 1-5 in their out-of-conference schedule in 2014-15. Despite being underdogs, Wesleyan hopes to re-kindle som3-2-0e of the magic from last February in Middletown when they blewout the normally stingy Ephs, 7-3.
Colby (3-6-2; 0-4-2 NESCAC) at Amherst (7-2-2; 3-2-0 NESCAC)
7 PM Amherst, MA
Live Stats Video
Colby, the only team winless in conference this season, heads to Amherst looking for both their first win in conference and their first win outside the friendly confines of Maine. The Mules are coming off a blowout win against Salem State in which coach Blaise MacDonald's son, Cam MacDonald (F, '18) had a five point (3-2-5) affair. Despite their record, observers have noted that the Mules are no pushovers. None other than Vermont broadcasting legend George Commo said Colby skated with top-ranked Norwich as well as any team had against the then undefeated Cadets (Norwich would defeat Colby 3-0 but lose to Platty just a day after earning the top ranking in the nation from USCHO).
It will be interesting to see if senior Sam Parker (G, '15) gets a chance in conference action tonight. Last year's starter, Parker saw no action this season until last weekend at Norwich. On the other end, a nicked up Dave Cunningham (G, '16) stood on his head to help the 14th ranked Lord Jeffs knock #4 Babson from the ranks of the unbeaten with a 44 save shutout on Tuesday.
Middlebury (3-5-2; 2-2-2 NESCAC) at Trinity (8-1-1; 3-0-1 NESCAC)
7: 30 PM Hartford, CT
Live Stats Video
The Panthers head into Hartford to face off against 10th ranked Trinity, the only team still undefeated in conference games this season. The Bantams haven't played in conference since a November drubbing off Amherst with Trinity going 5-1 in their non-conference schedule. Middlebury will need strong goaltending play to stop the high-flying Bantams offense. A normally tumultuous merry-go-round, the Panthers netminding situation seems to be Steve Klein (G, '18)'s to lose. The freshman has made the last three starts in net and has posted a 2-3-0 record on the season with a .922 save% and 2.63 GAA. Coach Bill Beaney's squad last won in Hartford in February 2012 with a 3-0 shutout of Trinity.
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