Tigers go for ECAC top honor

The list of accomplishments achieved by this year’s men’s hockey team is lengthy, but though the 2007-08 Tigers have certainly exceeded expectations, they are nowhere near being satisfied.

This weekend, with road games against No. 10 Clarkson (18-10-4 overall, 13-4-3 ECAC Hockey) and St. Lawrence (10-18-4, 5-13-2), No. 14 Princeton (17-10-0, 14-6-0) has a chance to add yet another achievement to the list: an ECAC Hockey regular-season title.

“[Our current position] doesn’t surprise us at all,” sophomore forward Cam MacIntyre said. “In the beginning of the season we got together and set the ECAC championship as a goal. We had confidence in our guys and our system, and knew that if we played to our potential, we could reach this point.”

Thanks to last weekend’s home sweep of Colgate and Cornell, Princeton is currently in sole possession of second place in the ECAC standings, just one point behind Clarkson. With just two games left in the regular season, the Tigers are in a position that most coaches only dream of: They are in control of their own destiny.

If the Tigers can beat or tie Clarkson on Friday evening and then beat last-place St. Lawrence on Saturday afternoon, they will lock up the program’s first-ever regular-season ECAC title. Though the logistical distinction between the No. 1 and 2 spots is minimal — the only difference being the strength of each team’s quarterfinal opponent — MacIntyre says pride will be fueling the team through the weekend.

“We know that no matter who we play [at home in the ECAC Quarterfinals], it is going to be a tough series,” said MacIntyre, who is third on the Tigers in points. “That being said, we want this title as a point of pride. It is a testament to what this team had accomplished and where the program is headed.”

Winning the Cleary Cup — given to the ECAC regular-season champions — will not be easy. Clarkson has been ranked in the nation’s top 15 for the entire season and boasts impressive wins against No. 8 Boston College, No. 12 St. Cloud State and No. 19 Providence.

The last time these two teams met, the Golden Knights dominated the Tigers at Baker Rink, scoring early and often en route to a 6-2 win. But the Tigers that took the ice back on Nov. 10 and the Tigers that will take the ice tonight are two completely different teams. Having won 12 of its last 14 games dating back to Dec. 30, Princeton is now playing with the confidence and intensity of a team that knows it can beat anyone.

“They are a good, solid group of hockey players, and they showed that here earlier in the season,” MacIntyre said of Clarkson. “But we know that if we play Princeton hockey — drive hard at the net, stay extremely disciplined, physical and good in transition — we can beat them. It is the same game plan every night, and we have faith in our ability and execution.”

The Golden Knights are led on offense by a trio of forwards, all in the league’s top eight in scoring. Drafted last June by the NHL’s San Jose Sharks, senior Steve Zalewski leads the ECAC in goals and power-play goals. Zalewski scored four times against the Tigers during their first meeting. Clarkson’s Chris D’Alvise — fifth in the league in game-winning goals — and Matt Beca — third in the ECAC in power-play points and first in shorthanded goals — are also critical offensively.

In net, the Golden Knights are led by goalie David Leggio, who is fourth in the ECAC in both save percentage, at .926, and goals-against average, at 2.07. Backstopped by Leggio and defenseman Grant Clitsome, the Golden Knights have allowed the third-fewest goals in the ECAC.

Though on paper the Tigers-Saints matchup seems one-sided — the Saints are currently in the bottom quarter of the ECAC in goals, goals against, power plays, penalty minutes and penalty kills — St. Lawrence is not a team to be taken lightly.

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Forward Brock McBride is fifth in the ECAC in scoring, and the Saints currently hold the league’s top four skaters in shorthanded points. With three goals and 10 assists, defenseman Zach Miskovic is the fourth-best scoring defender in the league.

It is clear that Princeton heads into this weekend playing its best hockey of the season. Yes, the Tigers have won three in a row, but their success has been even more evident off the scoreboard, where “Princeton hockey” is most effective. In recent games the Tigers have upped their intensity, with senior defenseman Mike Moore, MacIntrye and freshman blueliner Cam Ritchie wreaking havoc on their opponents.

“Earlier in the season, we made a promise that we would never get outworked by any team we played,” MacIntyre said. “When you make a vow like that, and everyone comes together, it creates something to strive for every night. We have a group of really intense, hardworking guys, and our physical style has really shown through in these recent games.”

Also not to be overlooked is the outstanding play of sophomore goaltender Zane Kalemba, who emerged as the team’s No. 1 goalie midway through his freshman season. Kalemba stopped 38 of the 41 shots thrown his way last weekend and has led the Tigers to 13 of their 14 ECAC wins.

“Zane has been really impressive, especially recently,” MacIntyre said of Kalemba, who leads the ECAC with a .736 winning percentage. “When he plays well, it really helps the whole team mentally. It give us confidence to know that he’s back there making tough saves.”

Win or lose this weekend, Princeton has already guaranteed that its season will continue with the ECAC Quarterfinals in two weeks. As shown by their previous never-satisfied attitude toward success, however, the Tigers will certainly be looking for more.

“We’re ready for this weekend,” MacIntyre said. “We’ve been ready for it all season. The ECAC [regular-season] title was a goal from the beginning, and we know that if we play our game, it is ours for the taking.”