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No. 7 Clarkson Heavy Favorite in Parity-Laden Conference

Once the postseason comes around, almost all teams will have a legitimate shot to win their quarterfinal series and advance to the Lake Placid round.

The ECAC tried to alter its look this year by introducing a new logo, but despite the patch that sticks on the player's jersey, the product will be the same on the ice. Here is how the teams should finish the season, according to the preseason coaches' poll.

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1. Clarkson

No. 7 Clarkson (25-11-1, 18-4-0 ECAC, 1st place) simply is the class of the ECAC this year. Already ranked in the top ten in the nation, it should have no difficulty claiming first overall in the conference. Cole, Brent Huskins, and Shawn Grant were named to the preseason All-ECAC roster.

Cole (22g, 20a) leads the Golden Knight attack and, after bagging 42 points last year, should only improve. While its other two top scorers graduated after last season there are plenty of other players who should pick up the slack.

On defense, the Golden Knights' best blueliner, Willie Mitchell, signed with the New Jersey Devils. But with Huskins and the offensive-minded Phillipe Roy (9, 13) it will be just fine. Grant, a member of last season's ECAC All-Rookie Team emerged as one of the top goalies in the conference, garnering a .901 save percentage

2. St. Lawrence

St. Lawrence (23-13-3, 15-4-3, 2nd) is a team that surprised everyone last year, claiming first place for most of the season before regional rival Clarkson overtook it down the stretch. The Saints rode the back of their dominating goaltender Eric Heffler (2.11 GAA, .934 save percentage), the ECAC Player of the Year in his senior season.

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