As the middle of January hits, the number of non-conference games played in college hockey shrinks considerably. This weekend’s games should tell quite a bit about the Hockey East, ECAC, and Atlantic Hockey races.
Several of the top Hockey East teams collide this weekend as Boston University and Boston College take on New Hampshire and Providence, the latter of which is just one point behind UMass and the Eagles for the top spot in the league. In addition, UMass has a two-game home series against Vermont and Maine hosts Northeastern. Merrimack and Connecticut meet in a big Saturday night game that will have an impact on the bottom half of the standings.
In the ECAC, Dartmouth and Harvard both hit the road and will meet a Quinnipiac team that is tied for first place during their travels. American International is back at home looking to defend its new first-place position in the Atlantic Hockey race. Holy Cross hosts Niagara, while Bentley visits a familiar foe over recent years in Robert Morris.
In non-conference play, Sacred Heart visits Yale for a Saturday night clash of Connecticut programs, while UMass Lowell goes to ECAC foe Colgate.
