Chris LerchBuzzing AIC is looking for a sea change this season, and so far, so good. The Yellow Jackets are currently 1-1-1 in league play, coming off a three-point weekend against Holy Cross. It’s ridiculously early, but this is the best start in conference play for AIC since 2002. Freshmen are leading the way, with rookies … Read more
Righting the Ship Pardon the mixed metaphor, but Air Force righted its ship last weekend, getting the better of RIT 5-4 and 3-2. The two wins in front of sellout crowds at Cadet Ice Arena were the Falcons’ first and second of the season after an 0-4 start. “If you would have told me that … Read more
It Could Be Worse… What could be worse than a 1-9 opening weekend for Atlantic Hockey? How about an 0-14 record last weekend to plunge the league to 1-23 in nonconference games to date. “I’m sure the coaches aren’t any happier than I am,” said league commissioner Bob DiGregorio. “(Atlantic Hockey) teams are just not … Read more
Slow Start It wasn’t the start that Atlantic Hockey teams wanted. AHA squads went 1-9 to open the season: • Canisius got the conference’s only win on Saturday, a 1-0 victory over Ferris State thanks to a sterling performance by goaltender Dan Morrison (48 saves). The Golden Griffins lost to the Bulldogs 5-1 the night … Read more
After showing steady signs of improvement the past few years in their quest to escape the Atlantic Hockey basement, the American International Yellow Jackets took a step backward last season, racking up just five victories. “We were ascending for a couple of years, and our hope is that we are still making progress,” said AIC … Read more
Coming off a regular season title in 2008, the Army Black Knights knew they were in for a challenge to repeat with 12 freshmen in the lineup. All-American Josh Kassel struggled in net, and the young Army squad had to settle for a sixth-place finish last season. Coach Brian Riley’s team is ready to turn … Read more
For the Holy Cross Crusaders, it’s all about looking forward. Paul Pearl’s team will try to put last season behind it, and focus on what on paper looks to be the makings of a successful 2009-10 season. Coming off a seventh-place finish, the Crusaders are picked to finish fourth in this year’s preseason poll. It’s … Read more
When Air Force coach Frank Serratore took the podium at Rochester’s Blue Cross Arena for this year’s Atlantic Hockey media day, he expressed his love for the rink that’s hosted the last three AHA championships: “I’m glad to be back in the greatest hockey arena in the world,” he said. One can understand why Serratore … Read more
Former Canisius hockey coach Brian Cavanaugh once said that the Jesuit way is to gradually but continually improve. Current Golden Griffins coach Dave Smith has his team along that path. For a few years, his better players have been his younger ones, and as those classes have matured, the wins have started to come — … Read more
Success for the Bentley Falcons has come in cycles. In 2006, Bentley reached the Atlantic Hockey championship game, but then fell out of contention the next two years. Last season saw a resurgence that resulted in the team recording its best record in school history and reaching the league semifinals. But the Falcons might be … Read more
Have you caught your breath yet? Ready for more? It’s certainly going to be difficult to top the 2008-09 college hockey season, which included the most intense, exciting postseason in history. Atlantic Hockey contributed to the madness, with Air Force claiming its third consecutive league title and then knocking off Michigan in the first round … Read more
This season was already looking like a challenging one for the Sacred Heart Pioneers. After posting consecutive 21-win seasons in 2005-06 and 2006-07, Sacred Heart’s win totals dropped to 16 the following year and then just 11 last season. After claiming the top seed in the 2007 playoffs, the Pioneers are picked to finish eighth … Read more
Last season was a roller coaster ride for the Mercyhurst Lakers. Things started off with high expectations thanks to the return of a healthy Matt Lundin in net. Lundin had was one of the top goalies in the league in 2007-08 despite playing through a serious shoulder injury most of the season. “He literally played … Read more
Two seasons ago, RIT was outclassed by Air Force 5-0 in the Atlantic Hockey semifinals, in the school’s first Division I postseason experience. Wayne Wilson’s team used that game as motivation all last season as the team went on to win 23 games, the best ever as a D-I program. But the Tigers season ended … Read more
Connecticut is celebrating its 50th season of hockey, and Bruce Marshall’s current squad would like to make some history of its own. It’s a tall order for a young team that skated 20 underclassmen last season. “It’s time for the junior class to step up,” said Marshall, whose team has just two seniors on the … Read more
Three-time defending champion Air Force has been picked to again repeat as champions in the Atlantic Hockey coaches poll, announced Tuesday at the league’s media day, held at Blue Cross Arena, site of the 2010 league championships. Mercyhurst, which lost to Air Force in the AHA finals last season, is picked to finish second. RIT, … Read more
If you made it this far, thanks for reading. If next year’s NCAA has half the excitement as this season’s, it will be a dandy. Have a great summer and we’ll see you in the Motor City.
If you made it this far, thanks for reading. If next year’s NCAA has half the excitement as this season’s, it will be a dandy. Have a great summer and we’ll see you in the Motor City.
Sometimes you get them, sometimes, they get you. Colby Cohen’s shot was partially blocked by Kevin Roeder, but the puck floated into the back of the net. RedHawks coach Enrico Blasi was asked about the tough bounce after the game. “Are you talking about those bounces I talk about all the time?,” he said. “What … Read more
Sometimes you get them, sometimes, they get you. Colby Cohen’s shot was partially blocked by Kevin Roeder, but the puck floated into the back of the net. RedHawks coach Enrico Blasi was asked about the tough bounce after the game. “Are you talking about those bounces I talk about all the time?,” he said. “What … Read more