What to Watch in Middlebury Sports NESCAC Hockey Tournaments

Author: David Lindholm

Amherst @ Middlebury, 3:00 p.m., Kenyon
For the first time, the Panther women's hockey team enters the postseason in the unfamiliar position of second place. Bowdoin, ranked second in the country, secured the regular-season NESCAC title, and also earned the distinction of being the only undefeated team in college hockey this season. This is what Middlebury has to look forward to, but first up is Amherst in Kenyon Arena this Saturday. The Panthers will be sure not to overlook the Lord Jeffs, despite Amherst being the weakest team to make it to the NESCAC tournament. Amherst comes in with twice as many losses as wins and ties combined, compiling a shaky record of 3-16-4. In two meetings with the Panthers this season, Middlebury has come out on top in two blowouts, winning 8-1 in Kenyon and 9-1 down in Amherst.
The Polar Bears will rest up in Maine this weekend, preparing to host the semifinals and finals of the NESCAC tournament on Friday, March 7 and Saturday, March 8. Should the Panthers win this weekend, they will most likely face the hated Williams Ephs, but could also match up against Hamilton or Colby. Despite being in second place, Middlebury has been proven a force to be reckoned with, and not even Bowdoin will be taking the fourth-ranked Panthers lightly.

Tufts @ Middlebury, 7:00 p.m., Kenyon
The men's hockey team, however, is sitting in the usual comfort of first place in the NESCAC, and enter the postseason with weak initial opposition and a chance to host through to the NESCAC finals. This means that the seven other NESCAC teams in the tournament will all be gunning for the Panthers, who, despite their brilliant season, have been shown to be prone to occasional let-down. This past weekend was an example of this, as Middlebury earned its biggest win of the season with a 3-2 overtime victory at Norwich, followed by a disappointing 4-4 tie against lowly St. Michaels.
Despite this weekend's tie, the Panthers' confidence will be peaking, since the team has not lost in 18 games, a stretch dating back all the way to December 7. The opposition this Saturday is Tufts, a team with a 7-10-4 overall record. Middlebury has hosted the only meeting this season between the two teams, and the Panthers skated to an easy 6-2 victory. The Jumbos have also lost their last three games, all of which were against NESCAC opposition.
The Panthers will rely on the hot stick of Kevin Cooper '04 who had two goals against Norwich, including the game winner, and is the NESCAC's leading scorer. Cooper was also Middlebury's hero of the 2002 NESCAC Championships, with a hat-trick against Trinity in the final. Likely to start in net is Yen-I Chen '06, who has been solid all season. The game takes place on Saturday at 7:00pm in Kenyon Arena.