Brian Lester
Here we go. One final game left in what has been a sensational D3 hockey season. Hobart and Utica will play for the title on Sunday night. Hobart is looking to compete the 3-peat and join elite company. The Statesmen can end the year as the first team to win three in a row since … Read more
After a regional showdown on Saturday that saw the three western teams exit the tournament, the frozen Four hosted by Utica will see the hosts play as visitors against top seeded Curry while the defending national champions from Hobart face the challenge of a high–flying Geneseo squad fresh off an upset road win over Aurora. … Read more
At one point Saturday night on its home ice, Aurora had momentum and hopes of an NCAA Division III Frozen Four trip intact. The fifth-ranked Spartans led SUNY Geneseo 3-0 late in the second period and 4-2 early in the third. And then the heartbreak unfolded. The No. 4 Ice Knights wouldn’t go away and … Read more
This hockey journey for Trine has been interesting to say the least. The Thunder won only six games in the inaugural 2017-18 campaign. That win total improved by four games the following year. Three years in, Trine recorded its first winning season, picking up 13 victories, The Thunder won only five games the next year, … Read more
Carter Hottmann is used to trips to the NCAA Division III tournament with St. Norbert. This year marks his third time going with the Green Knights. And the feeling never gets old. “It’s a very special opportunity,” Hottmann said. “I’ve made it three out of my four years and making it my senior year with … Read more
St. Norbert set a record for most wins in NCAA Division III tournament history by beating Gustavus 3-2 in the opening round Saturday night. The Green Knights now have 35 wins, the most ever by a program. This their 22nd appearance in the tourney. Leading 2-0 after two, the Gusties battled back and got within … Read more
It’s a special time of year as the NCAA Division III men’s hockey tournament begins today. This is what every team has been shooting for since the season began back in November, and for five teams from the west region, they will get their shot to hit the ice in the national tournament. Gustavus, St. … Read more
St. Norbert has now gone back-to-back as the NCHA champions. The Green Knights completed the repeat Saturday night with a 7-4 win over rival Adrian to claim the Harris Cup. Ranked fourth in the USCHO.com poll, St. Norbert trailed early but scored four goals in the second to take control. The Green Knights eventually led … Read more
This is it. Three conference championships will be decided this weekend in the west region of NCAA Division III hockey. And a lot is riding on the games as not only is a conference title at stake, but an auto bid to the NCAA tournament is on the line as well. MIAC Gustavus (15-9-2) vs. … Read more
Oh what a wild game it was between UW-Eau Claire and rival UW-Stevens Point in a decisive mini game of a WIAC semifinal series on Saturday night. The Blugolds had lost 4-1 to the Pointers, ranked ninth in the USCHO.com poll, in Game 2, giving up four goals in the third as their dreams were … Read more
Hassan Akl has played a huge role in Aurora’s rise to one of the nation’s best Division III hockey teams. He’s top 10 in the NCHA in goals and assists, and actually leads D-III in assists. And none of it should be a surprise considering the work the junior forward puts in, especially in the … Read more
Are we ready for some playoff hockey? There will be plenty of it this weekend as the MIAC, WIAC and NCHA tournaments take place. The MIAC is beginning postseason play while the WIAC and NCHA are continuing on with their tournaments. Time to dive in with some picks and see who is going to advance … Read more
Gustavus is the regular season champion in the MIAC for the first time since 2010 after beating Hamline 6-5 in overtime on Friday night. The Gusties lost 7-4 to the Pipers Saturday but it had bearing on a MIAC race that was tightly contested. Gustavus led 3-1 after one and 5-3 going into the third … Read more
Northland played the final game of its men’s hockey season Saturday night. And like 25 other times this year, the Lumberjacks lost. They fell 4-0 to UW-Eau Claire in the second and final game of an opening round WIAC tournament series. But this loss feels different. It has a colder and harsher reality to it … Read more
It’s the final weekend of hockey in the MIAC as far as the regular season is concerned. In the WIAC and NCHA, the first round of action gets underway in their respective tournaments. Here’s a look at some of the games and picks for the weekend ahead. Gustavus (13-8-2, 9-3-2) vs. Hamline (7-16, 5-9) The … Read more
Tyler Braccini was once told by a coach that he’d never be that great of a college hockey player, not even at the Division III level. “I was told some harsh things,” Braccini said. “One coach, I won’t name names, told me I’d never even be an average D-III hockey player. That’s been on my … Read more
It’s been a season to remember for UW-Superior, and another highlight was added over the weekend as the Yellowjackets claimed the regular season WIAC championship. Facing UW-Stevens Point in the final game, the Yellowjackets clinched the title in a shootout win thanks to a goal by Carson Riddle, who scored for the 2-1 shootout win … Read more
It’s Valentine’s Day weekend and there will be no love lost between teams as they compete in conference play. A lot is riding on every game. The weekend includes nationally ranked battles between Adrian and Trine and UW-Superior and UW-Stevens Point. Augsburg (7-13-1, 3-8-1)vs. Saint John’s (8-12-1, 5-6-1) The Auggies are in last place in … Read more
Marian pulled off a big win over the weekend, edging seventh-ranked Trine 5-4 on Saturday. Tied at 2-2 after two, the Sabres outscored the Thunder 3-2 in the final period, getting a game-winning goal from Daunte Fortner, who found the back of the net with 10.3 seconds to play in regulation. The goal was Fortner’s … Read more
Only a few weeks remain in the regular season and things start to matter even more now as teams battle for playoff positioning and take aim at clinching a conference title. Without further delay, here are some predictions for the weekend. MIAC St. Scholastica (11-9-1, 6-6) )vs. St. Olaf (9-7-3, 4-5-1 The Saints look to … Read more