Yes, its finally here. Clarkson weekend is just 48 hours away, and I pretty much can't focus on anything else. I've been waiting for this since I got into SLU more than a year ago. Anyway, here's what I think.
Both teams have had better than expected years thus far, especially Clarkson. A lot of people projected them to be in the bottom of the ECAC this year, but instead, the Golden Knights sit tenth in the country. St. Lawrence is currently unranked, and have sort have been a Jekyll and Hyde team this year, with great games against Maine, North Dakota, and Yale, and some really bad performances in single games against Cornell and RIT.
The two teams both have had some great performers on the ice, with SLU boasting the top scorer in the NCAA, Greg Carey, and one of the better rookies in Greg's brother Matt. The Saints also start some talented first year defensemen in Gavin Bayreuther and Eric Sweetman. However, Clarkson has their fair share of solid players, starting in net with goalies Steve Perry and Greg Lewis, both who boast GAA's under 2.15.
Aside from their good records and star players, there isn't much the same between these two teams. Clarkson has reached the top ten in the country with solid defense, while SLU consistently peppers the opposition with 3.773 goals per game. The Saints also have 4 players in the top 50 for scoring in the country, while Clarkson has none.
Special teams will also play a big role, with SLU's power play clicking at a 28.6 percent, best in the country, while Clarkson's PK works at 82.3%, 28th in the nation. Clarkson also takes, on average, 6.14 penalties per game. If that trend continues, SLU will get plenty of chances to score with the extra man.
The teams do play completely opposite game styles, so comparing the teams statistically doesn't do much good. SLU is a slightly more experienced team, so the ultimate question is will Clarkson's defense be strong enough to stop SLU's high powered offense? They did hold Mercyhurst to two goals, a Laker team that scores 3.53 goals per game, but Mercyhurst doesn't boast the top line that St. Lawrence does. Essentially, can the Golden Knights stop the Carey brothers? I don't think they can, seeing as teams such as Ferris State and Yale couldn't find the answer. And even if the Carey's are slowed, Clarkson still has to contend with players like Wick, Hughes, Baker, and Bayreuther, all who have shown that they can explode for 2 or three points in a game.
The one concern for SLU going into most games has been the defense, but against a Clarkson team that scores 2.71 goals per game, I'm not too concerned about it.
In conclusion, I think if #CareyPower makes any sort of an appearance in the games, SLU will be more than comfortable over the weekend.
Friday, game one of the rivalry series will be played at Cheel in Potsdam, before the Saints come home and play in front of the home crowd for the first time since the losses to Colgate and Cornell. Both puck drops at 7:00 PM
Both teams have had better than expected years thus far, especially Clarkson. A lot of people projected them to be in the bottom of the ECAC this year, but instead, the Golden Knights sit tenth in the country. St. Lawrence is currently unranked, and have sort have been a Jekyll and Hyde team this year, with great games against Maine, North Dakota, and Yale, and some really bad performances in single games against Cornell and RIT.
The two teams both have had some great performers on the ice, with SLU boasting the top scorer in the NCAA, Greg Carey, and one of the better rookies in Greg's brother Matt. The Saints also start some talented first year defensemen in Gavin Bayreuther and Eric Sweetman. However, Clarkson has their fair share of solid players, starting in net with goalies Steve Perry and Greg Lewis, both who boast GAA's under 2.15.
Aside from their good records and star players, there isn't much the same between these two teams. Clarkson has reached the top ten in the country with solid defense, while SLU consistently peppers the opposition with 3.773 goals per game. The Saints also have 4 players in the top 50 for scoring in the country, while Clarkson has none.
Special teams will also play a big role, with SLU's power play clicking at a 28.6 percent, best in the country, while Clarkson's PK works at 82.3%, 28th in the nation. Clarkson also takes, on average, 6.14 penalties per game. If that trend continues, SLU will get plenty of chances to score with the extra man.
The teams do play completely opposite game styles, so comparing the teams statistically doesn't do much good. SLU is a slightly more experienced team, so the ultimate question is will Clarkson's defense be strong enough to stop SLU's high powered offense? They did hold Mercyhurst to two goals, a Laker team that scores 3.53 goals per game, but Mercyhurst doesn't boast the top line that St. Lawrence does. Essentially, can the Golden Knights stop the Carey brothers? I don't think they can, seeing as teams such as Ferris State and Yale couldn't find the answer. And even if the Carey's are slowed, Clarkson still has to contend with players like Wick, Hughes, Baker, and Bayreuther, all who have shown that they can explode for 2 or three points in a game.
The one concern for SLU going into most games has been the defense, but against a Clarkson team that scores 2.71 goals per game, I'm not too concerned about it.
In conclusion, I think if #CareyPower makes any sort of an appearance in the games, SLU will be more than comfortable over the weekend.
Friday, game one of the rivalry series will be played at Cheel in Potsdam, before the Saints come home and play in front of the home crowd for the first time since the losses to Colgate and Cornell. Both puck drops at 7:00 PM
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