Finally, it looks like the brutal cold might be easing up in Princeton. After 28 days below freezing, local temperatures are set to rise above 33 degrees. This unrelenting chill broke the previous record of 14 days from 1961 and 1979. Many residents, like myself, think this has been one of the harshest winters in a while.
Just last Saturday, I braved a morning temperature of just 1 degree, feeling even colder with the wind chill around minus-20. It’s hard to remember a cold snap quite like this in my decades of living and working in Central New Jersey. Despite the chill, there’s something fascinating about winter—like seeing someone ice skating on the Delaware-Raritan Canal, a rare sight around here!
As temperatures rise, Princeton’s sports scene is heating up. This weekend, the women’s hockey team faces critical home games against Yale and Brown. Right now, Princeton leads the ECAC with 44 points, just ahead of Yale. It’s a close race because the teams are jockeying for the top four spots that guarantee first-round byes in the tournaments.
Interestingly, the Ivy League champion for women’s hockey emerges from ECAC games amongst Ivy teams. Princeton needs to sweep this weekend to stay in the running for that title. In contrast, the men’s hockey team has already collected 31 points over 16 games, a significant improvement from last season’s finish in ninth place. This year, they’re in fourth, thanks to stronger scoring and solid defense, allowing fewer goals per game.
Key player Arthur Smith has made a remarkable impact, earning the ECAC Goalie of the Week title for the second time this season after helping secure victories against Yale and Brown.
As the weather warms, fans will likely flock to Baker Rink for indoor skating. This sense of community activity is uplifting during the long winter months. Overall, while winter can be tough, it also brings unique moments and exciting sporting events to enjoy.
For continuing updates on local weather, check local forecasts like those from the Weather Channel.
