Clarkson Atop ECAC Race

In a dismal stretch for Harvard hockey, the Crimson dropped to fourth place in the ECAC following weekend losses to both St. Lawrence and league-leading Clarkson.

The Crimson (5-5-1, 4-3-1 ECAC) fell to St. Lawrence 7-3 Saturday, as Bauer/ECAC Player of the Week Derek Ladouceur led the Saints (7-5-1, 5-1-1) to their largest margin of victory over the Crimson in 30 years. Ladouceur scored a goal and two assists against Harvard on Saturday. The sophomore center also added a point in the Saints' 2-2 tie against Brown Sunday.

The Crimson traveled to Clarkson Sunday, only to see a third period lead fold under the pressure of the first place Golden Knights. Clarkson's 4-2 victory over Harvard in the contest extended their unbeaten streak to 10 games and gave the Knights (8-3-2, 6-0-1 ECAC) sole possession of the top place in the conference.

Following a 2-2 tie against the Bears on Saturday, the win against Harvard raised Clarkson's season point total to 13, one more than second-place Colgate.

Brown's ties against both Clarkson and St. Lawrence capped off a successful weekend trip to the dreaded North Country. Despite their success, the Bears (2-5-3, 1-4-3 ECAC) still remain well behind in the race for the ECAC crown.

Second place Colgate (6-4-2, 5-1-2 ECAC) handily defeated Union 5-2 Saturday, as the Red Raiders tried to keep pace with Clarkson.

A tough Union squad rebounded to tie Cornell at Ithaca Sunday, as Cooper/ECAC Rookie of the Week Leeor Shtrom recorded 47 saves in net for the Skating Dutchmen.

The Dutchmen (2-7-2, 1-4-1 ECAC) tied the game with two seconds left in regulation, and Shtrom secured the point for Union with seven stops in the extra period.

The tie capped off a disappointing weekend for Cornell. On Saturday, the Big Red fell 5-3 to RPI at home, dropping Cornell (4-3-3, 4-3-1 ECAC) to the third slot in the conference.:

In other ECAC action, Yale (4-8-0, 2-6-0 ECAC) capped off a weekend split with a 4-1 win against the Tigers at home.

In a non-league contest, Vermont improved its overall record to 10-2-1, defeating UMass-Amherst 4-3 in overtime. The Catamounts, along with Clarkson, are the only teams still undefeated in ECAC league play.

Harvard faces off against the Tigers at Princeton Friday night in this week's only ECAC league matchup. The game will be the last league contest until after the New Year. ECAC STANDINGS   OVERALL  ECAC Teams  W  L  T  W  L  T Clarkson  8  3  2  6  0  1 Colgate  6  4  2  5  1  2 St. Lawrence  7  5  1  5  1  1 Cornell  4  3  3  4  1  3 Vermont  10  2  1  4  0  1 Harvard  5  5  1  4  3  1 Brown  2  5  3  1  4  3 Rensselaer  4  8  1  2  4  0 Yale  4  8  0  2  6  0 Union  2  7  2  1  4  1 Princeton  3  7  2  1  6  1 Dartmouth  0  6  1  0  5  0