Week in Review: 12/4-12/10

The 'Cac took an almost two week break from conference action for Thanksgiving and out-of-conference play but emerged with another wild weekend. Bowdoin then closed out play in 2013 with their tie at University of Southern Maine last night. Here's the week that was, the week after break ahead and player of the week for each school, in order of current NESCAC standings.

1. Amherst (6-2-0; 5-1-0) 

 1st in NESCAC - 10 points
This week's record: (1-1-0; 1-1-0)

The week that was: The Lord Jeffs are tied for first with Williams, but unless Amherst can beat the Ephs in Williamstown later this year, Williams would own the ultimate tie-breaker should the two teams end up with the same record at the end of the year. The Ephs knocked off Amherst on Saturday in a defensive duel that only had 46 shots total in the game. The night before Amherst vanquished the Middlebury Panthers 4-1 on the strength of Brendan Burke (F, '16)'s first two collegiate goals in the third period. 

The week ahead:  Finals. After that, holiday time with friends and family before returning to campus for practice on the 28th. Amherst plays Plymouth State from the MASCAC in the first round of Norwich's Northfield Bank Tournament on January 3rd and then either lowly Milwaukee School of Engineering or Norwich in the next round. 

After that it's four straight weekends on the road for the Lord Jeffs, including a trip out west to face North Collegiate Hockey Association (NCHA) foes Concordia College  in Wisconsin and Lake Forest College in Illinois. The Lord Jeffs last traveled out west a decade ago, when they defeated St. Thomas and tied Gustavus Adolphus of Minnesota in January of 2004.

Player of the week: Dave Cunningham (G, '16) The sophomore sensation stopped 51 of 53 shots he faced over the weekend, earning New England Hockey Journal D-III Player of the Week honors. Cunningham and the Jeffs haven't allowed more than two goals in a game this season, even in the two losses. 

1.  Williams (5-0-2; 4-0-2) 
1st in NESCAC - 10 points
This week's record: (1-0-1; 1-0-1)

The week that was: The Ephs finished the weekend as the only undefeated team in the NESCAC and one of only three unbeatens in the nation. They tied Hamilton 1-1 in a game that the Ephs were trailing in the third period and the Continentals needed a 38 save performance from goalie Joe Quattrocchi (G, '14) to earn the tie. They followed that up with a 1-0 nail bitter against arch-rival Amherst to move in to a tie for first with the very same Lord Jeffs.

The week ahead: After break, the Ephs start the  new year off in upstate New York at the Cardinal classic, where they play Hobart and then either 'Cac foe Hamilton or host and current number one team in the nation, Plattsburgh, in the next round.  Just three days later they play Trinity at the much anticipated Frozen Fenway game. 

Player of the week: Sean Dougherty (G, '15) Stopped 43 of 44 stops, 18 of which came in his first shutout of the year, on his way to earning NESCAC Player of the Week for the first time in his career. 

3. Middlebury (3-3-2; 3-2-1)

3rd in NESCAC - 7 points
This week's record: (0-2-0; 0-2-0)

The week that was:  Middlebury dropped both road games to fall from second to third in the 'Cac (likely would have a steeper decline if Trinity played in conference). More concerning for the Panthers, the goalie carousel is now back in full motion. Mike Peters (G, '15) had the job locked up through the first five games of the season, but then yielded to senior Nick BonDurant (G, '14) after letting up three goals on seven shots in the first period of the PrimeLink finals against Plattsburgh. BonDurant shutout Platty the rest of the way, but gave up four goals to Amherst and Liam Moorfield Yee (G, '16) - - who wasn't even on the initial roster this year - - played against Hamilton, giving up four goals on 22 shots in a 4-3 loss. The only netminder and class not to get a shot yet is freshman Drew Michals (G, '17). 

The week ahead:  The Panthesr start 2014 with their own Middlebury Classic in which they face off against feeble St. Michael's in the first round, and either Southern Maine or Neumann in the next round. 

Player of the week: Derek Pimentel  (F, '15) Had two points (1-1-2) against Hamilton to end the weekend as the only Panther in double digits for points (5-5-10) on the season.   

4. Trinity (6-2-0; 3-1-0)
4th in NESCAC - 6 points 
This week's record: (1-1-0; 0-0-0)

The week that was:  Trinity, like Wesleyan, didn't play any conference games. Last Thursday, they lost a disappointing 2-0 game at home to Stonehill despite outshooting the Skyhawks 42-30 in the game and 22-6 in the final frame. They then exploded for a 6-3 victory on the road against Manhattanville on Saturday. Valiants goalie Alex Scola (G, '15) had entered the game with two straight shutouts over Tufts and Conn College. 

The week ahead: Trinity returns to action on January 3rd in Beantown against Becker and then at home the next day against New England College to complete their OOC schedule. They return to conference action just three days later on January 7th against Williams under the lights at Frozen Fenway in a rematch of one of last season's NESCAC Semfinals, which the Ephs won, 4-2.

Player of the week: Mike Hawkrigg (F, '16) The Toronto, Onatario native is usually the one doing the distributing but on Saturday he was the one on the receiving end of the assists. First career hat-trick. 'Nuff said.

5. Bowdoin (5-3-2; 2-3-1)

5th in NESCAC - 5 points
This week's record: (1-1-1;1-1-0)

The week that was: Bowdoin lost 3-2 in OT to previously winless Conn College on Friday night in Brunswick. Max Fenkell, who left the UNE game after the second period and didn't dress for the games against Suffolk and UMD at Bowdoin/Colby Faceoff Classic, returned to the two goalie rotation with Steve Messina (G, '14).

The Polar Bears then exploded for five second period goals in an 8-4 drubbing of Tufts the next day. They then concluded play for NESAC schools in 2013 with a 3-3 tie at USM last night. If any team could use a break right now to get players healthy and figure out its identity, it's Bowdoin. 5-3-2 might not be a bad record for a lot of teams, but it is a disappointment for a squad that hopes to make it to the D-III Final Four that they are hosting in Lewiston. Still plenty of puck to be played, though, so I'm sure coach Meagher isn't panicked. 

The week ahead: Bowdoin returns from break at home with their second game of the season against University of New England, the team they beat 9-3 for Meagher's 500th career win in November. They then return to conference play against Amherst and Hamilton that weekend.

Player of the week: Colin Downey  (F/D, '14) Scored twice and added an assist in the rout of Tufts (2-1-3) and added an assist against Southern Maine. The senior from East Sandwich, MA leads the team with sixteen points (6-10-16) and sits just four points away from the 100 point club. 

5. Colby (4-3-2; 2-3-1) 
5th in NESCAC - 5 points
This week's record: (1-1-0; 1-1-0)

The week that was : Colby lost,5-2, at home on Friday to previously winless-in-conference Tufts. The score was tied at two after two, but the Jumbos netted three third period goals for the victory. Colby saved face against Conn College on Saturday, 4-3, but it took OT to do so. 

The week ahead: Colby's the first NESCAC school to play in 2014, facing off against frequent 'Cac adversary Wentworth in the opening round of the Salem State Tournament. The Mules then play either another 'Cac frequenter in Babson or host Salem State in the second game of the tournament. 

Player of the week: Ben Chwick (F, '14) Had a goal and an assist against Tufts before netting three points (2-1-3) against Conn College to end 2013 with a team leading 13 points (7-6-13). Chwick has stepped up his production after appearing for team USA in the Maccabiah Games this summer and his seven goals this year already match his career high for a season. 

5. Hamilton (3-3-1; 2-3-1)

8th in NESCAC - 5 points

This week's record: (1-0-1; 1-0-1)

The week that was: Hamilton  had the best week in the 'Cac. After a huge tie against now conference leader Williams, the Conts followed it up with a victory over third place Middlebury. Joe Quattrocchi (G, '14), who has the talent to be an elite netminder in the NESCAC if not the consistency, made 38 saves to earn the tie on Friday. The Conts survived a back and forth third period, scoring one more goal than the Panthers in the final frame to win 4-3 on Saturday. Hamilton is now 3-1-1 in their last five and if not for a third period collapse to Trinity would have a six game unbeaten streak. 

The week ahead: Things don't get easier after break in the schedule department for the Conts, who have played the second hardest schedule in the nation so far this year according to the KRACH model.  They open up 2014 against consensus number one Plattsburgh, then play either Hobart or Williams in the second of Platty's Cardinal Classic. 

Player of the week: Joe Quattrocchi (G, '14) Didn't have the greatest game against Middlebury, but his performance against Williams earned the tie that may have given the Continentals the confidence needed to beat Middlebury. 

8. Wesleyan  (5-2-1; 2-2-0)

8th in the NESCAC - 4 points

This week's record: (1-0-0; 0-0-0) 

The week that was: The Cardinals are in eighth by virtue of playing two less games than 4/5 of the league, not because they deserve to be here. In their only game of the week, Wesleyan dismantled a Hobart team that is better than their 2-4-4 record on  the strength of freshman phenom Elliot Vorel (F,17)'s first career hat trick. Scoring clearly won't be the problem for the conference leading Cardinals (4.0 goals per game), but questions still remain on defense and in net. 

The week ahead: Wesleyan concludes out-of-conference play with home games against New England College (January 4th) and SUNY Canton (January 5th).

Player of the week: Elliott Vorel (F, '17) Vorel continues his torrid pace and now leads the country in scoring with 19 points (10-9-19) and 2.38 points-per-game. While he'll likely slow down, Vorel is on pace for 57 points in the regular season alone. No NESCAC player has had 50 points in a season since Mickey Gilchrist (F,'06) did it for Middlebury in 2005-06 (24-26-50). Gilchrist only had 37 points in the regular season and needed the 2006 NCAA championship game against St. Norbert to reach the 50 point plateau. 

9. Conn College (1-8-0; 1-5-0) 

9th in NESCAC - 2 points

This week's record - (1-1-0; 1-1-0)

The week that was: Conn College breathed a sigh of relief on Friday when they finally won a game, beating Bowdoin 3-2 in OT. They followed it up with their third OT loss of the season to Colby on Saturday. This team isn't good, but they are a lot better than their stats or records show. The Camels could cause some headaches for teams up the standings later in the year if some people could actually put the puck in the net. 

The week ahead: Conn College opens up 2014 with two SUNY schools that couldn't be more different. On January 4th, the Camels host the 2-9-1 Canton 'Roos, who are still in the probationary period for transfer from club to D-III. Three days later, Conn College travels to Oswego to take on the perennial national powerhouse Lakers.  

Player of the week: JC Cangelosi (F, '15) Didn't have a goal this weekend, but still leads the team in goals and had four points (0-4-4) to end 2013 with a team leading 13 points (5-8-13). The next highest scorer on the team is freshman Greg Liautaud (D,'14) with four points (0-4-4) and there in lies your problem, Camels.

9. Tufts (2-7-0; 1-5-0)

9th in NESCAC - 2 points

This week's record - (1-1-0; 1-1-0)

The week that was: The Jumbos got their first conference win on Friday against Colby to keep pace with Conn College on the strength of three third period goals that broke a 2-2 tie after two. They then followed it up with an 8-4 beatdown by Bowdoin. 

The week ahead: The Jumbos start off the year in the most Boston Tournament ever, the Codfish Bowl. They first play University of Southern New Hampshire in the first round, then either Suffolk or UMass-Boston in the second round. 

Player of the week:   Tyler Voight (F, '15)  Had three points in the win over Colby (2-1-3) and added an assist against Bowdoin. 

Week in Review: 11/22 -11/26

After yesterday's four Out-of-Conference games, another week is in the book for NESCAC men's hockey. Here's the week in review for each team (in order of the current standings) for the second week of the season. Enjoy Thanksgiving, because starting Friday there's a full weekend of  17 non-conference games.

1. Amherst (5-0-0; 4-0-0) 

 1st in NESCAC - 8 points
This week's record: (3-0-0; 2-0-0)

The week that was: The Lord Jeffs took sole possession of first place in the NESCAC with a weekend sweep of Trinity and Wesleyan, the two teams that entered the week tied with them for first in the 'Cac. The Lord Jeffs broke a 1-1 tie on Saturday against the Bantams with a rare 5-3 short-handed goal and added an empty netter to prevail 3-1. On Sunday, they broke a 1-1 lead late in the first and cruised to a 4-1 victory over Wesleyan. Even first place teams have things to work on, as the Lord Jeffs will eventually pay if they continue to give up the eighteen power plays they gave up to opponents over the weekend.

Amherst then began their OOC schedule yesterday against St. Michael's, blanking the Purple Knights 4-0 at Orr Rink. Senior Johnny Russell (G, '14) earned a 24 save shutout in his first collegiate decision. Before yesterday, the Champlin, MN native had played eighteen minutes and faced six shots in three years as a Lord Jeff. 

The week ahead:  Amherst has just one non-conference game over Thanksgiving weekend, but it's a big one. The undefeated, nationally ranked Lord Jeffs (10th USCHO, 11th D3H) travel cross-state on Saturday to Wellesley, MA to play the undefeated, nationally ranked Beavers of Babson, currently seventh in both polls. It's an All-NESCAC weekend for the Beavers as they play Williams the next day. 

Week in Review: 11/15- 11/19

Colby's out of conference  win over Southern Maine capped off an exciting first week of NESCAC hockey action that included NESCAC favorite Bowdoin going winless over the weekend, a freshman scoring seven points and Middlebury/Williams looking like the teams to beat early on. Here's the week in review for each team, in order of  (the very preliminary) NESCAC standings. 

1. Amherst (2-0-0; 2-0-0) 

 1st in NESCAC - 4 points
This week's record: 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. 

The Week in Review: Nemo Edition (2/9 - 2/18)

Due to the spreading out of the games by Winterstorm Nemo, Week in Review is actually for the past two weeks. These are the final regular season standings heading into postseason play and the final week in review of the season. Bring on the playoffs!

1. Bowdoin (19-3-2; 11-2-1)

1st in NESCAC - 28 points
This week's record: 2-1-1

The week that was: On Winterstorm Nemo weekend, Bowdoin only played one game, a 3-3 tie in Middeltown, CT against Wesleyan on Sunday 2/10/13. The following weekend the Polar Bears returned home for a regular Friday/Saturday schedule, defeating Tufts, 6-1, and beating Conn College, 2-1, in OT. With the OT win against CC, the Polar Bears clinched the first overall seed for the NESCAC playoffs. On Monday night at Brooks School, Trinity blew out Bowdoin 10-5.

The week ahead: Bowdoin hosts eight seed Hamilton on Saturday, February 23rd at 1PM in the first round of the playoffs. 

Player of the week: Ollie Koo (D/F, Jr.) The versatile forward switched between forward and defense and still led the team in points in the two week stretch (3-3-6). Last week, Koo was selected as a semifinalist for the Joe Concannon Award. 

Week in Review: 1/28/13 - 2/2/13

1. Bowdoin (17-2-1; 11-2-1)

1st in NESCAC - 23 points
This week's record: 1-1-0

The week that was: On Friday night, Bowdoin suffered its second loss of the season, 6-3, at home against Amherst, despite the fact that they outshot the Lord Jeffs 40-24. The game was their first intercollegiate competition in nine days, after a 5-1 victory over Southern Maine on January 22nd.  The three blemishes on Bowdoin's record (2 losses and a tie) all have come at home and all in league games. On Saturday, the Polar Bears salvaged the weekend with a 5-2 victory over Hamilton. 

The week ahead: Bowdoin travels to Connecticut for games with sixth place Wesleyan (5-6-3; 13 pts.) and fourth place Trinity (8-3-3; 19 pts.). The Cardinals handed the Polar bears their first loss of the season back in January in a 6-5 OT thriller. Depending on how other games play out, Bowdoin could clinch first place in the NESCAC playoffs by the end of the weekend. 

 Player of the week:  Daniel Weiniger  (F, Sr.) From the official NESCAC weekly release: "Weiniger recorded four goals and an assist in a 1-1 weekend for Bowdoin. The forward was at his best on Saturday, when he netted a hat trick with a goal in each period of his team’s 5-2 win over Hamilton. Weiniger also collected a goal and an assist in a 6-3 loss to Amherst on Friday. He currently leads the Polar Bears with 14 tallies this season."

2. Middlebury (10-8-2; 9-3-2)

2nd in NESCAC - 20 points
This week's record: 2-0-0

The week that was: The Panthers swept the weekend, beating Wesleyan, 6-3, and Trinity,3-2, to move from fourth up to second in the standings. Middlebury now has a four game win streak, all in league games.

The week ahead:  Big weekend for the Panthers as they have a home and home with their travel partner, Williams (9-3-2), who they are tied with in the standings. If Middlebury sweeps, they keep alive their slim shots at winning the regular season 'Cac crown.

Player of the week:  Derek Pimentel (F, So.) had six points points this weekend(1-5-6), including his four point outing (1-3-4) against the Cardinals on Friday. Despite only scoring six goals this season,  the Quebecois assassin (Infinite Jest anyone? ) leads the team with 21 points (5-16-21). 


2. Williams (12-5-3; 9-3-2)
2nd in NESCAC - 20 points
This week's record 1-1-1

The week that was: Williams remains in second, but barely. Williams traveled to Boston last Monday to beat non-conference foe Wentworth, 1-0, before returning home for weekend conference play. After losing to Trinity, 3-1, on Friday, the Ephs skated to a 0-0 tie with visiting Wesleyan on Saturday. For the week, Williams had 108 shots, but only scored twice.  
 
The week ahead: The Ephs play the big home and home against fellow second placers Middlebury (9-3-2; 20 pts). 

Player of the week: Sean Dougherty (G, So.) Despite going 0-1-1 for the weekend, Dougherty only gave up 3 goals on 62 shots for a .951 save percentage. 

4. Trinity (11-5-3; 8-3-3)
4th in NESCAC - 19 points
This week's record: 1-1-0

The week that was:  On Friday night in Williamstown, Trinity put themselves in the drivers seat for second place with a 3-1 season series win over Williams. The Bantams followed it up with a tough 3-2 loss at Middlebury to end up in fourth.

The week ahead: As Middlebury did last week, Trinity is playing their games in special fatigue themed uniforms that will be autctioned off to raise money for the Wounded Warrior Project.  On Friday, they play a ninth place Colby (2-10-2; 6 pts.) team that is arguably coming off their best week of the season. Saturday they face off against first place Bowdoin (11-2-1; 23 pts.), who hasn't lost on the road all year

Player of the week: Benjamin Coulthard (G, Jr.) gave up 4 goals on the weekend, but did so on 74 shots, good enough for a .946 save percentage.

5. Amherst (12-5-3; 8-4-2) 

 5th in NESCAC - 18 points
This week's record: 1-0-1

The week that was:  Amherst beat the best team in the conference on the road and didn't lose this weekend, but they remain in fifth place. On Friday, despite being out shot 40 -24, they handled Bowdoin 6-3. Saturday they traveled to Waterville, where they had a 3-0 lead against ninth place Colby after two periods;the Mules stormed back with three unanswered goals in the third to earn a 3-3 tie.

The week ahead:  The Lord Jeffs travel to last place Tufts (1-11-2; 4 pts) on Friday and seventh place Conn College (3-8-3; 9 pts.) on Saturday. These are must have points if Amherst wants a first round home game in the NESCAC playoffs. 

Player of the week: Conor Brown (F, Fr.) had two goals in each game, for a total of four for the weekend (4-0-4). Brown's points streak now sits at nine games.

6.  Wesleyan (9-8-2; 5-6-3)
6th in NESCAC - 13 points
This week's record: 0-1-1

The week that was: On Friday, the Cardinals lost 6-3 in Vermont against Middlebury. Wesleyan traveled to Williams on Saturday, where they earned a hard fought 0-0 tie. Just a week removed from scoring 11 goals at Hamilton, the Cardinals scored only 3 goals the entire weekend, or less than they scored in each of the second and third periods against the Continentals. 

The week ahead: After two weeks on the road, Wesleyan returns home for match-ups against first place Bowdoin (11-2-1; 23 pts.) and Colby (2-10-2; 6 pts.) 

Player of the week: Nolan Daley (G, Fr.) for his 46 saves against the Eph, earning him the first shutout of his young career.



7. Connecticut College (7-10-3; 3-8-3) 
7th in NESCAC - 9 points 
This week's record: 2-0-0

The week that was: Conn. College jumped from the outside of the playoff race to firmly in it with a weekend sweep of travel partner Tufts. At home on Friday, the Camels took care of the Jumbos, 5-2, then traveled to Mass. for a 3-2 win on the road on Saturday.

The week ahead: The Camels are at home for the final time this year for games against 8th place Hamilton (3-9-2; 8 pts.) and fifth place Amherst (8-4-2; 18 pts.).

Player of the week:  JC Cangelosi (F, So.) had five points on the weekend (2-3-5), including the game winner in the third period on Saturday night.  


8. Hamilton (5-12-3; 3-9-2)
8th in NESCAC - 8 points
This week's record: 0-2-0

The week that was:  Tough weekend for the Continentals, losing to previously last place Colby, 5-1,  on Friday night, then losing at Bowdoin 5-2.  Hamilton has now lost four in a row (all in conference) and has given up 21 goals in their last three games. 

The week ahead:  Last regular season weekend on the road for the Continentals, with key match-ups against seventh place Conn College (3-8-3; 9 pts.) and last place Tufts (1-11-2; 4 pts). With tough games at home to close out the season against Williams and Middlebury looming, this is a make or break weekend for Hamilton. 

Player of the week: Anthony Ruberto  (F, Sr.) Against Bowdoin, Ruberto scored his seventh goal of the year to take the team lead in points (7-6-13). 


9. Colby (4-13-3; 2-10-2) 
9th in NESCAC - 6 points
This week's record: 1-0-2

The week that was Best week in a long time for the Mules. On Tuesday, they hit the road and scored in the final ten seconds to tie in-state rival University of New England 2-2. At home on Friday, they beat Hamilton,5-1, for their first NESCAC win since December 8th against Tufts. On Saturday, they rallied from a 3-0 deficit in the third to tie Amherst. 

The week ahead: Mules hit the road for a Connecticut road trip against Trinity (8-3-3; 19 pts.) and Wesleyan (5-6-3; 13 pts.). Tough games, but Colby is still alive in the hunt for the eighth and final playoff spot. 

Player of the week: Ben Chwick (F, Jr.) had a goal in each game, including the late goal to tie UNE, for four points on the week (3-1-4). 

10. Tufts (6-12-2; 1-11-2)    
10th in NESCAC - 4 points
This week's record: 1-2-0

The week that was: The Jumbos won their last non-conference game of the year, 4-2, in Boston against Suffolk on Tuesday. They were then swept in the home and home against travel partner Conn. College to fall into the basement of the NESCAC.

The week ahead: The Jumbos are at home for the final time this year for games against fifth place Amherst (8-4-2; 18 pts.)  and 8th place Hamilton (3-9-2; 8 pts.). It is now or never for the Jumbos playoff hopes.

Player of the week: George Pantazopoulous  (F, So.) had his first  two goals of the year in the third period against Suffolk, including the tying and winning goals. He then added an assist at home on Saturday  for three points for the week (2-1-3).

Week in Review: 1/22/13 - 1/26/13

1. Bowdoin (15-1-1; 10-1-1)

1st in NESCAC - 21 points
This week's record: 1-0-0

The week that was: A bye week in conference play and only a 5-1 win against in state rival Southern Maine. For a good read on the implications of in-state, non-conference Maine play, check out Benet Pols' piece here. 

The week ahead: Bowdoin returns to conference play at home against fifth place Amherst (7-4-1;15 pts.) and seventh place Hamilton ( 3-7-2; 8 pts.). Bowdoin had one of their tighter games of the season at Amherst, only beating the Lord Jeffs 3-2 on a third period goal by Colin Downey (F/D, Jr.).

 Player of the week: Harry Matheson (F, Jr.) for his two goals and one assist (1-2-3) in the only game of the week for the Polar Bears. 


2. Williams (11-4-2; 9-2-1)
2nd in NESCAC - 19 points
This week's record 2-0-0

The week that was: Williams took care of business on the road against Tufts, 5-3,  and Conn. College, 5-0, to pull within two points of first place Bowdoin. Bowdoin, however, swept the season series so the lead is essentially 3 points.
 
The week ahead: The Ephs play in Boston tonight against Wentworth (10-7-1), who plays their home games in Northeastern's Matthews Arena. Williams returns home over the weekend to face off against Trinity (7-2-3; 17 pts.) and Wesleyan (5-5-2; 12 pts.). The Ephs tied the Bantams at Trinity, so the winner of this game determines the tiebreaker, should  they end the year with the same number of points.. 

Player of the week: John Wickman (F, Sr.) scored three goals over the weekend, including the game winners in both contests. After a USCHO feature mentioned that Wickman had played well this year but hadn't scored in his first nine games, the senior Eph has six goals in seven games.

3. Trinity (10-4-3; 7-2-3)
3rd in NESCAC - 17 points
This week's record: 2-0-0

The week that was:  On Friday, Trinity ruined Hamilton's Citrus Bowl, 1-0, and they followed it up with a surprisingly high scoring 7-4 win over Amherst to take sole control of third place in the 'CAC. 

The week ahead: The Bantams stay on the road for big games against the team directly above them, Williams (9-2-1; 19 pts) and below them, Middlebury (7-3-2; 16 pts.).

Player of the week: Zach Lombardi (F, Sr.) set up the game winning goal on Friday and added a goal of his own on Saturday. Bantams now 7-0-1 in games that Lombardi gets a point.

4. Middlebury (8-8-2; 7-3-2)

4th in NESCAC - 16 points
This week's record: 2-0-0

The week that was: The Panthers swept the weekend, beating Conn. College, 4-1, and Tufts, 5-4, to move into fourth in the standings; first back to back wins for Middlebury since early December.

The week ahead:  The Panthers host Wesleyan. (5-5-2; 12 pts.) and Trinity (7-2-3; 17 pts.).

Player of the week:  Robbie Donahoe (D, Jr.) had a five point weekend (1-4-5) to reach double digit points for the first time in his collegiate career.

5. Amherst (11-4-2; 7-4-1) 

 5th in NESCAC - 15 points
This week's record: 1-1-0

The week that was:  Had a solid 3-1 win over Wesleyan on Friday, but lost to Trinity 7-4 to fall to fifth in the conference.

The week ahead:  The Jeffs head to Maine for a weekend of polar bear opposites. On Friday, they face conference leading Bowdoin (10-1-1; 21 pts.) and on Saturday they play cellar dwelling Colby (1-10-1; 3 pts).

Player of the week: Johnny Van Siclen (F, Sr.)  had a hand in all three goals (2-1-3) in the win against 
Wesleyan and added another goal against Trinity.

6.  Wesleyan (9-7-2; 5-5-2)
6th in NESCAC - 12 points
This week's record: 1-1-0

 
The week that was: Wesleyan couldn't crack the Lord Jeffs, losing 3-1 to Amherst on Friday, but exploded for an 11-3 win at Hamilton on Saturday. For a list of fun facts about that game, check out the game recap.

The week ahead: Cardinals take their 6-3-0 road record into tough matchups against Middlebury(7-3-2; 16 pts.) and Williams (9-2-1; 19 pts). Wesleyan lost at home to both the Panthers and Ephs, the weekend before the breakout game against Bowdoin.

Player of the week: Adam Kaiser (F, Sr.) for his career high five point game. Sure Buehler had a hat trick and Craven had five points, but they can't  always hog the POTW(POW just seems like an inappropriate acronym to use) glory.


7. Hamilton (5-10-3; 3-7-2)
7th in NESCAC - 8 points
This week's record: 0-2-0

The week that was:  Tough weekend for the Continentals, losing the Citrus Bowl 1-0 to Trinity late in the third period and subsequently getting blown out 11-3 against Wesleyan. The one goal loss to Trinity was the sixth such loss for the Continentals this year and the the Wesleyan game was the first time Hamilton had surrendered double digit goals in a game since a 10-2 loss to Bowdoin in February 2008. 

The week ahead: Hamilton tries their luck in Maine against  Colby (1-10-1; 3 pts) and Bowdoin (10-1-1; 21pts.).  Important for the Continentals to beat the Mules to help strengthen their hold on a playoff spot.

Player of the week: Marko Brelih (D, Fr.) had a nice un-assisted goal in the first period of the Wesleyan game when it was still relevant.


8. Connecticut College (5-10-3; 1-8-3) 
8th in NESCAC - 5 points
This week's record: 1-2-0

The week that was: Conn. College led off their long awaited home stand with a 3-2 win over SUNY-Canton.  They followed that up with conference losses to Middlebury, 4-1, and Williams 5-0. With Tufts being swept, the Camels remain in the final playoff spot.

The week ahead: The Camels have a big home and home against travel partner Tufts (1-9-2; 4 pts.) this weekend. A split keeps their tenuous hold on the eighth spot but a sweep would go a long way towards solidfying a playoff berth.

Player of the week:  Dawson Luke (D, Sr.) had four assists to move the defenseman into second on the team in points (6-6-12).

 
9. Tufts (4-9-1; 1-9-2)    
9th in NESCAC - 4 points
This week's record: 0-2-0

The week that was: The Jumbos lost a pair of home games to Williams, 5-3, and Middlebury, 5-4. The four goals against Middlebury was the first time Tufts scored more than three times since a 6-3 win against Brockport in November.

The week ahead: After a Tuesday non conference game at Suffolk (6-8-4), Tufts has the big home and home against travel partner Conn. College (1-8-3; 5 pts.) for the eighth and final playoff spot.

Player of the week: Stewart Bell (F, Fr.) had a four point weekend (3-1-4) to tie for the team lead in points (8-10-18). 


10. Colby (3-13-1; 1-10-1) 
10th in NESCAC - 3 points
This week's record: 0-0-0

The week that was: Bye week for the Mules before they begin their final three week push for a playoff spot.

The week ahead: Mules return to action Tuesday the 29th against in state rival University of New England (5-13-0). Over the weekend they host Hamilton ( 3-7-2; 8 pts.) and Amherst (7-4-1;15 pts.).

Player of the week: No games, so no player of the week.