ECAC Semifinals Princeton vs. Colgate

Hi and welcome the Times Union Center, for this afternoon's 3pm contest between the No. 15 Princeton Tigers and Colgate Raiders.

Last weekend, in Princeton's first-ever home playoff series, the Tigers knocked off Yale in three games (4-0, 3-4, 3-0) to seal their birth in this weekend's tournament. Princeton recieved stellar play from sophomore goalie Zane Kalemba - whose 2 shutouts were the only two playoff shutouts in Princeton history - as well as freshman forward Matt Arhontas and sophomore forward Cam MacIntyre, each of whom found the net three times against the Bulldogs.

This is the final season for five Princeton seniors - Erik Pridham, Mike Moore, Landis Stankievech, Kyle Hagel and Kieth Shattenkirk - all of whom are critical to the team's success. Stankievech, an ECAC student-athlete award finalist, is one of the best defensive forwards in the league, and Hagel adds a physical presence that Princeton relies on heavily. And it is impossible to speak of this year's team, without mentioning Moore. A memeber of the ECAC's 1st Team and an All-American Candidate, Moore entered this season as the team's only blueliner with more than a year of experience. The Tigers' leader on and off the ice, Moore has headlined one of the ECAC's best - and youngest - defenses, while leading all ECAC defenders in points.

Colgate enters today's game with a lot of momentum, having knocked off No. 7 Clarkson, the ECAC's best team, in three games last weekend. Colgate lost the first game 1-0, but bounced back with 4-3 and 3-2 (2OT) wins to advance to today's game. The Raiders are anchored by senior goaltender Mark Dekanich - who Princeton coach Guy Gadowsky called "the best goalie in the ECAC this season" - and a trio of strong fowards, Jesse Winchester, David McIntyre and Tyler Burton, who has the skill to change the game at any moment.

The Tigers and Raiders met twice during the regualr season, with Princeton winning 2-0 on the road, and 7-2 at home last month.

We are about 5 minutes from the drop of the first puck, so stick with me, I'll be bringing you all the action as it plays out.