Tim Costello
It wasn’t a good final weekend for either the ranked or unbeaten as Hobart fell to a resurgent Trinity squad while Geneseo suffered their first loss to non-conference rival Elmira. MASCAC leaders Plymouth State found themselves with a pair of losses to Wesleyan and New England College and Williams suffered their first loss in NESCAC … Read more
Even though it is the last weekend of play for the semester, there is no drop-off on the important matchups this week in conference play with several marquee games this weekend amongst nationally ranked teams. I really struggled with last weekend’s picks that finished below 50% at 5-7-0 (.607) which lowers the overall record to … Read more
The 2021-22 season has brought a variety of COVID-influenced changes to virtually every program playing hockey at the D-III level. Depending on the events or program activities from the largely canceled season, there are new elements that include “super-seniors,” an abundance of new and young players, transfers and more. For Babson’s Paul Boutoussov, the new … Read more
There were some key games played amongst league leaders with Babson beating previously unbeaten Norwich, Utica downing Wilkes and Endicott doing the same to Curry in a weekend series split. The battles on the ice have been great but there have still been COVID protocol impacts felt across the region and especially in NESCAC where … Read more
There is no drop-off on the important matchups this week in conference play with several marquee games this weekend amongst nationally ranked teams. I continued my slide with last weekend’s tournament and non-conference picks that finished at 8-5-1 (.607) which lowers the overall record to 34-18-6 (.638) so it’s time to rally and close out … Read more
After just a three-game engagement in the 2020-21 season and starting the current season 0-4-0, Albertus Magnus has won their last four games in a row including the championship game of the PAL Stovepipe Tournament last weekend. The 5-1 win over Western New England earned the second-year team their first trophy and a chance to … Read more
Oh, what a weekend it was with a No. 1 vs. No. 2 game between Geneseo and Utica; great tournament action with Norwich, Babson, Skidmore, Albertus Magnus and Castleton emerging victorious and non-conference battles that have national ranking implications. Yes, the weekend had everything you would want to see for competitive action – here is … Read more
The Thanksgiving Holidays always bring great D-III tournament action and this year I no different with many exciting matchups among some of the elite teams in the nation. It will be a challenge to pick winners so will focus on the first round games along with some key non-conference games. Last weekend’s picks that stumbled … Read more
COVID. The pandemic has presented immense challenge to all of us in so many ways and continues to be part of our everyday lives at home and at work. For student athletes playing hockey across New England, the challenges were varied by conference and institution. While some programs managed to find continuity with some games … Read more
It is Thanksgiving week and there is much to be thankful for with the return of the hockey season and the great action seen across each of the conferences in the east. Just when you think you have it figured out, there is a surprise team that has a statement win each weekend. I am … Read more
When we last saw NESCAC hockey Wesleyan had won their first ever conference title and saw their first round NCAA tournament game with Babson canceled due to the pandemic. That was the spring of 2020, so it has been quite awhile since this conference laced them up in a competitive fashion beyond a handful of … Read more
It is a big and full weekend slate of games with all teams now officially playing meaningful games. Lots of interesting matchups to choose from including some great ranked opponents facing off against each other. Fell off a bit with last weekend’s picks that finished at 5-3-2 (.600) which makes the overall record 20-8-4 (.688) … Read more
The Rivier Raiders have kicked off their first NCAA season successfully by winning three of their first five games. But it isn’t about wins in building the program says head coach Matt Keating, the goal is to build a culture of character players both on and off the ice with the results mirroring the effort … Read more
Four-point-weekend. It’s a goal for every team in conference play but all so difficult to reach for most. Two wins on a weekend where the competition is always tough. There were a few teams that met the challenge this week and several more that found three points of four. Teams don’t want to get caught … Read more
There has been great hockey played all over New England and while the marquee games have delivered so to have all of the other contests in terms of excitement and action across the board. First week of picks was alright and last week so some improvement to 8-1-1 (.850) which makes the overall record 15-5-2 … Read more
With the commencement of conference action, there were pre-season favorites that showed why they merit their poll position; there were contenders who stumbled but are getting their games going and there were teams still struggling to put all the pieces together for 60 minutes, or more, in game action. Lots of excitement everywhere so here … Read more
Well last weekend was certainly one filled with great hockey so why not expect more this weekend with some premier teams facing each other in conference play. Last week my predictions finished at 7-4-1 (.625) which isn’t a horrible start but leaves room for improvement. Like my picks I think there are already a few … Read more
Plymouth State has been the elite team in MASCAC the past few years and is poised to contend again among a host of challengers. Having won the title in 2019-20, the Panthers seek to repeat the feat post-COVID. The conference boasts two long-time coaches combining for over 1150 wins at the D-III level. Bill O’Neill … Read more
The UCHC brings something old (Utica – read more below) and something new (Arcadia joins the league) but expect the competition to be consistently tough among a growing list of challengers for the title. “We are old and big,” said Utica coach Gary Heenan. “This leadership group including our super seniors has won four regular … Read more
When the NCAA tournament was canceled in 2020 due to COVID, 25% of the 12 team field came from the NEHC. When the UCHC was the only conference contested during the 2020-21 season, it was Elmira that won the championship and now starts a new title chase as part of the NEHC this season. The … Read more