However, the three victories the Skating Dutchmen notched earlier this season are keeping Union in tenth place, so if the season ended today it would be in the conference tournament.

With the notable exception of Union's early start, the biggest shock of the ECAC this season is the lifeless record that Clarkson (5-9-3, 0-4-3), last year's champion, currently boasts. The Golden Knights have a habit of starting slowly, but with half the season gone, they alarmingly have yet to post a conference victory.

Another team to begin the new year with a pair of non-conference games, Clarkson faced off against Minnesota-State Mankato twice last weekend. A 5-2 triumph over MSU-Mankato snapped the Golden Knight's 11-game losing streak against WCHA teams. But MSU-Mankato rebounded the following night by trouncing Clarkson, 5-1.

This weekend features seven conference games, giving many first-place hopefuls a chance to capture the top spot from Harvard. The Crimson is geared up for a sweep of Clarkson and St. Lawrence, a feat that has not been seen for quite some time.

Princeton will take a short respite, while Yale will take on Boston College in a non-conference stint, giving Harvard a little breathing room at the top.