ECAC: 13-8-1 (fifth)

Coach: Terry Slater

Last year, Colgate was favored by many to win the ECAC title. The Red Raiders finished fifth and were eliminated in the ECAC Quarterfinals.

Now that Hobey Baker candidate and first team All-America Rejean Boivin and flashy goaltender Wayne Cowley have left Hamilton, N.Y., the Red Raiders will try not to slip down even further in the league standings.

Coach Terry Slater will depend more on the Colgate defense, ranked second in the league last year. The Red Raiders return all of last year's starting defensemen, who are led by senior Mike Bishop.

Junior Joe Gardner (14-32--46) will have to assume the role that Boivin so successfully accomplished for Colgate. Steve Spott (14-16--30) and Shawn Lillie (12-22--34) should keep the Raider offense consistent.

But without Cowley, one of the league's best goaltenders last year, Colgate will have problems protecting the net. Sophomore Dave Gagnon, who saw some action last season, will be the likely starter.

CORNELL

Overall: 19-9-0

ECAC: 15-7-0 (third)

Coach: Brian McCutcheon

Cornell will lean on its solid returning middle-line players and eager new recruits for a shot at a trip to Boston for the ECAC Championships. Last year a mini-game loss to Clarkson in Ithaca, N.Y., blocked the trip.

This year the Big Red returns 15 lettermen, with sophomore goaltender Corrie D'Alessio (.909, 2.82) the key to the team's success. Last year D'Alessio racked up the honors: ECAC All-Rookie team, ECAC honorable mention selection, Ivy Ivy League Rookie of the Year and Cornell MVP. He also set the record for best goals-against average for a Big Red freshman.

Senior Chris Grenier (12-23--35) should head the strong center line, as the team's second leading scorer and most promising two-way player. Junior Casey Jones (10-22--32), last year's best Ivy scorer, also tops the line.

Alan Tigert, the lone senior defenseman, will anchor the Big Red defensive line. Sophomore skaters Bruce Fauley and Tim Vanini will show the benefits of last year's experience along with junior Paul Winters.