For most college students, winter break affords time for relaxation at home. For men's hockey players, however, it is a time of intense competition.

With the non-conference season--in which teams travel around the country--it is important to know how each Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) team is faring and what to expect over the break.

Princeton (7-1-1, 5-0-1 ECAC) is the only undefeated team in the ECAC and leads the conference with 11 points. After winning the ECAC championship and receiving its first ever NCAA appearance last season, Princeton has dominated the league this year.

The season began inauspiciously for the Tigers, as they lost to Boston University (B.U.), 9-1. Since then, the Tigers have an eight-game unbeaten streak.

Princeton's quick turnaround can be attributed to its change in goaltenders. Last year's starter Craig Bradley was benched in favor of freshman Dave Stathos and senior Nick Rankin. Both have performed well and have been helped by a strong offense.

Three Tigers--senior forwards Jeff Halpern, Syl Apps and Scott Bertoli--are within the top 20 in the ECAC in scoring. The trio has a combined 38 points in nine games.

After taking two games from main rival Yale this past weekend, Princeton does not play until it travels to Minnesota to participate in the Mariucci classic with Minnesota, Ohio State and B.U. over the break.

Princeton is closely followed in the ECAC standings by Colgate. The Red Raiders (5-1-0, 7-3-0) have rebounded from last year's mid-season collapse with strong conference wins. Colgate's record is a bit inflated, however, as all five of its league wins have come against teams with losing records.

Colgate's success has resulted from strong goaltending and a potent offense. Senior Shep Harder has a paltry 1.84 goals-against average (GAA), the lowest in the ECAC. He is sharing time in the crease with freshman Jason Lefevre.

Junior forward Andy McDonald leads the Red Raiders and is third in the ECAC in points. He has tallied at least one point in nine straight games. Most of his points have come on assists, however. Colgate's scoring has been widely distributed.

Over the break, Colgate travels to Syracuse to participate with St. Lawrence, Niagara and Miami of Ohio in the Syracuse Invitational.

Following Colgate in the ECAC is Cornell (6-2-1, 4-1-1). The Big Red's success is mostly due to stingy defense. Goalie Ian Burt has also looked impressive, posting a 2.29 GAA.

Cornell travels with Yale and Bowling Green to face Wisconsin in the Bank One Badger Classic over the break.

St. Lawrence (8-4-0, 4-1-0) has been the big surprise of the ECAC this year. Ranked ninth in the preseason poll, the Saints have dominated their conference opponents, outscoring them 19-12.

Senior forward Bob Prier has led a potent offensive attack, and goalie Eric Heffler was just named the ECAC goaltender of the week for posting 62 saves in the Saints' wins over Brown and Harvard this past weekend.