Weekend Preview

After two ties last weekend, assistant coach Greg Drechsel had this to say about the two ties,

"We are happy with the effort, but we are not very satisfied getting two ties. We have an expectation level where we believe we will win our games at home. We played hard in both games. The difference was on specialty teams. We did not capitalize on the power-play chances we had. It was the first time in a long stretch where we did not score a power-play goal, and that was the difference in each game."

The effort was indeed present at Cheel Arena, but the wins were not. Clarkson came away with two points and stayed in a tie for fourth in the league standings. If this happens this weekend the quotes from the coaches might be very different.

The Golden Knights head to the Capital District looking to exorcise some demons. Last year the trip was an absolute disaster for Clarkson. A 5-0 loss to Union and a 4-3 loss to RPI in which the Knights gave up 4 second period goals. The two losses sparked a streak in which the Knights lost 7 of 8 and put a sever damper on what was shaping up to be a good season. Remarkably the Knights are in a similar position this year. Riding a 9 game unbeaten streak Clarkson is coming in looking to continue their winning ways. However, if Clarkson comes in with a chip on their shoulder they could be in some trouble.

RPI comes into tonight's game on a bit of a rough patch. After starting out 4-1-2, the Engineers have posted a disappointing 2-9-3 record including an 1-5-0 skid in their last six games. If RPI fans can take any solace it is in the fact the last game for RPI was a 3-2 win at Union. Defensively RPI has struggled this year allowing 3 or more goals in 16 of their 22 games. If there was cure for the offensive slump Clarkson is in, the RPI defense just might be it. This will be the crux of the contest. Can Clarkson find the scoring touch against a sub-par defense? If they can this game will not be pretty for RPI. I'll say Clarkson does find the scoring touch but it will take a period to get going.

Clarkson 5 - RPI 1

Saturday night Clarkson heads over to Schenectady to take on the Union College Dutchmen. Clarkson has it's fair share of problems at Messa Rink but Union has been an on again, off again team. Last weekend they split a pair against RPI winning in Troy and losing at home. The previous weekend they split a pair at home against Dartmouth and Harvard. Playing a cohesive game against Dartmouth for a 4-1 win, then wilting and falling to Harvard late and falling 3-2.

This will be a test of the other point coach Drechsel mentioned, special teams. Union is middle of the pack in penalty kill and power play. It will be up to the team to use their top ranked special teams to defeat the Dutchmen. Union has cut down on the penalty minutes this year, but the Clarkson games usually bring out the worst in the Dutchmen, and for that matter the Knights too. Clarkson will look to stay disciplined and complete what many fans are hoping for, a four point weekend.

Clarkson 4 - Union 1