ECAC Takes Two of Three Games Against NCHC Opponents Friday Night

The ECAC has faced ridicule for years due to the perceived notion that the league was the weakest of the traditional college hockey conferences. The league gained respect last season by sending two teams to the NCAA Championship game with Yale coming out on top over in-state rival Quinnipiac.

This weekend is a chance for the ECAC to once again prove it is a conference to be reckoned with as three teams from the conference take on teams from the National Collegiate Hockey Conference.

On Friday night two of the three ECAC teams came out on top, including Cornell who went on the road and won 5-3 at Nebraska-Omaha. Boston Bruins prospect Brian Ferlin scored a goal and added two assists while Cole Badreau, Joakim Ryan and Joel Lowry each had a goal and a helper. Hobey Baker candidate Ryan Walters banged home a goal for UNO.

Clarkson continued its hot start with a 2-1 victory on home ice over visiting Colorado College. The Golden Knights outshot the Tigers, 30-21, and received goals from Pat Megannety and Allan McPherson who also added an assist.

Nick Oliver scored with 3:14 to play in the third period to propel St. Cloud past Colgate. Johnny Brodzinkski added an empty net tally to give Bob Motzko's club a 4-2 win over the Raiders. Kyle Baun and Tyson Spink each had a goal and an assist for Colgate in the loss.

Jeff Cox covers college and junior hockey, NCAA recruiting, NHL Draft prospects and the AHL for SBNation. Follow him on twitter @JeffCoxSBNation.