Chris Lerch

Chris Lerch has been writing for USCHO since 1999, first as D-III columnist, then covering Atlantic Hockey for the past 19 seasons.

Around D-III 12/13

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Some random D-III observations: East Meets West Thanksgiving tournaments saw three teams crossing the “border” to play some out-of-region games. UW-Stout bussed 1,300 miles to Northfield, VT to play in the Primelink Tournament, while Salem State and Buffalo State went West. The Vikings were in Duluth participating in the St. Scholastica tournament while the Bengals … Read more

Around D-III 12/13

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Some random D-III observations: East Meets West Thanksgiving tournaments saw three teams crossing the “border” to play some out-of-region games. UW-Stout bussed 1,300 miles to Northfield, VT to play in the Primelink Tournament, while Salem State and Buffalo State went West. The Vikings were in Duluth participating in the St. Scholastica tournament while the Bengals … Read more

This Week in Atlantic Hockey: Dec. 10, 2009

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Streaking There’s very little mediocrity at this juncture of the Atlantic Hockey season. Seven of the league’s 10 teams are on some kind of streak, good or bad. Let’s keep things positive for now and talk about the four teams that have won at least four games in a row. RIT and Air Force have … Read more

This Week in Atlantic Hockey: Dec. 3, 2009

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Knight Time Army opened the month of November with a 1-3 record, scoring just four goals in those four games. But things began to turn around offensively for the Black Knights two weeks ago at Bentley, when Army scored eight times in a series split with the Falcons. Last weekend, hosting a Canisius team that … Read more

D-III Turkey Tourneys

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If you like college hockey tournaments, there’s much to be thankful for this weekend. One of the many cool things about D-III hockey is the large number of holiday tournaments taking place (Division I has just three tourneys this weekend). Here’s a rundown of the action, which includes a pair of Western Tourneys. Pack the … Read more

D-III Turkey Tourneys

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If you like college hockey tournaments, there’s much to be thankful for this weekend. One of the many cool things about D-III hockey is the large number of holiday tournaments taking place (Division I has just three tourneys this weekend). Here’s a rundown of the action, which includes a pair of Western Tourneys. Pack the … Read more

This Week in Atlantic Hockey: Nov. 25, 2009

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Your Typical Thanksgiving Column It’s time once again for a Thanksgiving Tradition (does four years make a tradition?): the Atlantic Hockey version of Thanks … and No Thanks. Let’s take a look at what each team is thankful for this year … and what each team could do without. Air Force Thanks: AFA’s penalty kill … Read more

This Week in Atlantic Hockey: Nov. 19, 2009

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Playoff Atmosphere It’s less than one third of the way into the Atlantic Hockey season, but there’s already a playoff intensity. Last weekend saw three ties and and five one-goal games — that’s eight out of 10 games decided by a goal or less. It’s said that defense and goaltending win championships, and there was … Read more

This Week in Atlantic Hockey: Nov. 12, 2009

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Sweet Sweep Canisius swept Mercyhurst last weekend, 6-4 in Erie on Friday and 4-3 in Buffalo on Saturday. It was the first time ever in the 21-year history of the rivals that the Golden Grffins had defeated the Lakers on consecutive nights. The games were the 59th and 60th played between the two schools. “Our … Read more

Here We Go Again

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We’re underway with the 2009-2010 season (at least most of the teams are by now). It’s going to be tough to top last season. Neumann College, the last team into the NCAA tournament, a team that finished fourth in the ECAC West and had to play a play-in game to get into its conference playoffs, … Read more

Here We Go Again

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We’re underway with the 2009-2010 season (at least most of the teams are by now). It’s going to be tough to top last season. Neumann College, the last team into the NCAA tournament, a team that finished fourth in the ECAC West and had to play a play-in game to get into its conference playoffs, … Read more

This Week in Atlantic Hockey: Nov. 5, 2009

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Buzzing 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

This Week in Atlantic Hockey: Oct. 29, 2009

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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

This Week in Atlantic Hockey: October 22, 2009

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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

This Week in Atlantic Hockey: Oct. 15, 2009

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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

2009-10 American International Season Preview

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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

2009-10 Army Season Preview

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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

2009-10 Holy Cross Season Preview

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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

2009-10 Air Force Season Preview

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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