This is the fourth time this season that the Saints and Golden Knights have faced, and by now the statistics of the two teams have been said enough times. They both have good offenses, good defenses, and even better goalies. They hold identical records, the same number of points in the ECAC, and are ranked 8th (SLU) and 10th (Clarkson) in the latest Pairwise rankings.
Basically, this is the most even these teams have been in a few years. And in all honesty, this is quite possibly the biggest game left on the schedule for St. Lawrence. They have matchups against Harvard and Quinnipiac left, the teams ranked 4th and 5th in the country, but SLU, Cornell and Clarkson, the 8th, 9th and 10th teams in the country, respectively, are tied in the third place spot in the ECAC standings. SLU needs a win tonight and some help along the way to get that first round bye, but a loss tonight pretty much wipes that possibility out.
The Saints are on a roll, having won 7 straight and own an 7-0-1 record in the last 8 games. They've rebounded more than nicely after the brutal swing through Minnesota, and perhaps thats the galvanizing event for this team in this season. But if that was the impetus for the good play of late, tonight has to be the night where they prove its more than a fluke. The defending national champions are in town for a massive matchup. The Saints beat them on opening night, suffered a close loss the next night and then were blown out a month later in ECAC play in Potsdam. A lot of doubts could be put to rest tonight, some of them mine. The Yale game made me nervous, as it seemed like SLU lacked the killer instinct and ability to put away a team, that in all regards, wasn't as good as the Saints.
This is going to be a close game tonight, whether its 2-1 or 6-5, I would be surprised if there is more than a two goal difference. It will come down to whether or not SLU can hold down the emotions and the nerves and play the way they did against BC in the tie, against Harvard in the OT win, and against Clarkson opening night.
This is a huge game, with lots of implications for the ECAC and NCAA tournament. I'd recommend that if you are anywhere within a twenty mile radius, get to Appleton. Its going to be a showdown, and you don't want to miss it.
Puck drops at 7:00 PM.
Basically, this is the most even these teams have been in a few years. And in all honesty, this is quite possibly the biggest game left on the schedule for St. Lawrence. They have matchups against Harvard and Quinnipiac left, the teams ranked 4th and 5th in the country, but SLU, Cornell and Clarkson, the 8th, 9th and 10th teams in the country, respectively, are tied in the third place spot in the ECAC standings. SLU needs a win tonight and some help along the way to get that first round bye, but a loss tonight pretty much wipes that possibility out.
The Saints are on a roll, having won 7 straight and own an 7-0-1 record in the last 8 games. They've rebounded more than nicely after the brutal swing through Minnesota, and perhaps thats the galvanizing event for this team in this season. But if that was the impetus for the good play of late, tonight has to be the night where they prove its more than a fluke. The defending national champions are in town for a massive matchup. The Saints beat them on opening night, suffered a close loss the next night and then were blown out a month later in ECAC play in Potsdam. A lot of doubts could be put to rest tonight, some of them mine. The Yale game made me nervous, as it seemed like SLU lacked the killer instinct and ability to put away a team, that in all regards, wasn't as good as the Saints.
This is going to be a close game tonight, whether its 2-1 or 6-5, I would be surprised if there is more than a two goal difference. It will come down to whether or not SLU can hold down the emotions and the nerves and play the way they did against BC in the tie, against Harvard in the OT win, and against Clarkson opening night.
This is a huge game, with lots of implications for the ECAC and NCAA tournament. I'd recommend that if you are anywhere within a twenty mile radius, get to Appleton. Its going to be a showdown, and you don't want to miss it.
Puck drops at 7:00 PM.
Comments
Post a Comment