The men's hockey team can empathize with the labors of Sisyphus. One weekend after facing the top team in the Eastern College Athletic Conference, Princeton has the unenviable task of traveling to hostile rinks and challenging second-place Cornell (10-7-6 overall, 8-5-3 ECAC) and third-place Colgate (15-8-5, 10-4-2).
Although the Tigers (5-17-1, 5-10-1) are languishing in 11th place in a 12-team conference, only three points divide the team from an opportunity to garner the final home-ice playoff seed in the first round of the ECAC playoffs. Continuing similar impressive play against these quality teams that Princeton displayed against Brown would do much to bolster the Tigers' confidence as the squad heads into the final six league games of the regular season.
Princeton begins its road series Friday night against Cornell. Boasting seven players who have been drafted by the NHL, the Big Red embarrassed the Tigers in their previous meeting by a lopsided 7-0 tally. As that score indicates, Cornell is strong in net. Goalie David McKee shares the NCAA lead for most shutouts and enjoys a .922 save percentage.
Goto guys
The Big Red's offensive load has been dominated by two players, forwards Matt Moulson and Ryan Vesce, who have a joint point total that is nearly four times that of the next four players combined. The Tigers have emphasized a tight defense the entire season, and this should serve them well against Cornell. Paramount among the Tigers' defensive stratagems will be plans to frustrate and shut down these goto guys.
Seeing more red
As strong as the Big Red is, it may not even be the most difficult foe faced over the weekend. On Saturday, Princeton confronts the team that is not only in the best position to challenge Brown for top-dog ECAC status but also one that is nationally ranked. The No. 14 Colgate team squeezed out an early-season 3-2 overtime win at Princeton, but it has steadily improved as the season has progressed, with clean sweeps of Cornell and Brown.
Adding to the Red Raider's confidence is the benefit of momentum gained during their current eight-game unbeaten streak. Their talented offensive team includes four players with more than 25 points: forwards Jon Smyth, Kyle Wilson, Adam Mitchell and Kyle Doyle. At least three of the four have registered scores or assists in 11 of the 15 Colgate wins. The quartet's nose for the goal is just one of the reasons why the Raiders enjoy 220 more shots and 39 more goals than Princeton. Versatility in puck-handling and shot-selection — they are just as likely to beat a goalie up high as down low and out wide as in the slot — makes it almost impossible for opponents to contain them.
In addition, the Raider defense has a marked size advantage on the Tigers and is expected to employ an extremely physical style of play. Although Princeton has displayed a penchant for increasing its own physicality in response to the challenge posed by opponents, the team will need to establish itself on both sides of the ice through aggressive foreand backchecking.
This weekend is absolutely crucial for the Tigers if they hope to demonstrate their potential for postseason success.
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