Providence at Brown: Pregame Notes and Line Combinations

PROVIDENCE -- Good Sunday afternoon and welcome inside Meehan Auditorium on the campus of Brown University where the top-ranked Providence Friars look to finish off their 17th Mayor's Cup title against the crosstown rival Bears. Faceoff is set for 4 p.m.

The Friars can reclaim the title with a win or a tie today after a 4-1 win to open the series on Dec. 10 at Schneider Arena. East Providence native freshman Bryan Lemos scored his first collegiate goal and it turned out to be the game-winner.

A 2-1 overtime loss to Cornell on Monday at the Florida College Classic was PC's first blemish this season, but it bounced back for a 2-1 win over Boston College in the consolation game. The Friars rallied from a third-period deficit with goals from seniors Nick Saracino and Brandon Tanev in a span of 44 seconds to beat the Eagles.

The Friar defense has been outstanding all season, contributing a nation-leading 21 goals. Junior Nick Ellis mad3 46 combined saves in Florida and has allowed two or fewer goals in 12 of his 16 starts this year.

Brown split its games at Vermont's Catamount Cup on Tuesday and Wednesday, winning a wild 7-5 contest over Colgate before suffering a 3-0 shutout loss to Lake Superior State.

Senior Nick Lappin ranks fifth nationally with 1.57 points per game while his 22 points are second to Quinnipiac's Sam Anas (who has played in seven more games than Lappin) in the ECAC. Lappin scored his first career hat trick and added two assists against Colgate, marking his third outing of the year with at least three points.

Freshman Tommy Marchin's eight goals and 16 points lead all ECAC freshman, while his 1.14 points per game rank fourth nationally. Max Gottlieb, whose 12 points rank third among the league's rookie defensemen, scored his first collegiate goal in the Catamount Cup opener

Here are today's lines:

FRIARS (13-1-3, 4-0-2 Hockey East)

Nick Saracino - Mark Jankowski - Trevor Mingoia
Brandon Tanev - Brian Pinho - Erik Foley
Steven McParland - Kevin Rooney - Ryan Tait
Garrett Gamez - Bryan Lemos - Brooks Behling

Tom Parisi - Anthony Florentino
Kyle McKenzie - Josh Monk
John Gilmour - Vincent Desharnais

Nick Ellis
Hayden Hawkey
Brendan Leahy

BEARS (3-8-3, 2-5-2 ECAC)

Tommy Marchin - Mark Naclerio - Nick Lappin
Max Willman - Charlie Corcoran - Tim Lappin
Alex Brink - Sam Lafferty - Tyler Bird
Zack Pryzbek - Davey Middleton - Andrew Doane

Max Gottlieb - Josh McArdle
Brandon Pfeil - Tyler Wood
Brady Schoo - Conner Wynne

Tim Ernst
Tyler Steel
Connor Maher