2006-07 Norwich Preview

Team Overview: Norwich basically reloaded last season with the offensive emergence of Rick Cleaver and Nikita Kashirsky who each totaled over 40 points. In fact, the Cadets scored 151 goals last season while only giving up 56 so they were able to play well in all three zones and dominate opponents. “We have some good … Read more

2006-07 Salem State Preview

Team Overview: Bill O’Neill is in that elite group of coaches with over 400 career wins — all at Salem State. O’Neill like the looks of his returning players and is curious about the mix of some of the new recruits coming in: “You just don’t know what you have before you get on the … Read more

2006-07 St. Anselm Preview

Team Overview: Yes the Hawks still continue to face the dilemma of being a D-II team in a D-III league — so once again they will not qualify for tournament play come playoff time in the conference. While they are the reigning D-II tournament champions, coach Ed Seney would like his squad to focus on … Read more

2006-07 Babson Preview

Team Overview: Back for the third season at his alma mater, head coach Jamie Rice really likes his returning players as well as what the newcomers can bring to his team. “We lost a big class last season that were the primary group that redefined the hockey program here at Babson,” Rice said. “No doubt … Read more

2006-07 ECAC East Preview

Welcome back to all the fans who love D-II/III hockey in New England! Better late than never as the ECAC East and NESCAC schools are last to officially step on to the ice for real practices and the start of games in mid-November. I actually prefer to think of the late start as a good … Read more

2006-07 UMass Boston Preview

Team Overview: New head coach Peter Belisle finds himself in similar position to Castleton’s Alex Todd. He inherits a team which did not win a game last season although they competed well in certain games during the season. BELISLE “I got the job on June 10 this year and after putting my staff together hit … Read more

A Belief in Leadership

It would be hard for anyone to argue with the success the Middlebury College Panthers have exhibited in winning seven of the past eleven national championships since the NESCAC school was allowed to play in the tournament, starting in 1995. Head Coach Bill Beaney has had very talented teams in winning those championships, but the … Read more

This Week in DIII – New England

March, it’s the month of March. And if your team is still playing this week it’s a pretty big deal. Conference bragging rights and a chance to play in the national tournament is what it all comes down to before Sunday, March 5th. At the beginning of the year every team had goals set out … Read more

This Week in DIII – New England

Twenty-eight teams will start this weekend full of playoff aspirations, looking to continue their seasons into March. By Saturday night half of the teams will move on and the rest of them will be done for the season. Win, you advance; lose, you go home. “It’s a really hard thing to identify with,” stated Curry … Read more

This Week in DIII – New England

Can it be? Yes, as hard as it is to believe for both players and coaches, this next week represents the final games in the regular season. For some, it’s a chance to improve a playoff position; for others an opportunity to play more hockey in February and beyond. And for others, it’s a must-win … Read more

This Week in DIII – New England

There is an old expression in New England. If you don’t like the weather, wait 10 minutes. The variability in climate in this part of the country is interesting to say the least and so is a look at the league standings after a single weekend of play at this point in the season. Teams … Read more

This Week in DIII – New England

February 2nd… A day we all wait religiously to find out whether or not we should keep the winter clothes out for another couple of months based on the ability of a large rodent in Pennsylvania to see his own shadow. With all due respect to Punxsutawney Phil, I am not one to buy-in to … Read more

This Week in DIII – New England

Statement games! When a team plays virtually the perfect game and far exceeds the anticipated result in their favor – that’s a statement game! Examples? Middlebury 9-1 over Bowdoin Norwich 7-0 over Trinity Curry 11-0 over Wentworth All three teams made statements in their recent wins over perennial rivals that have historically posed difficulties for … Read more

This Week in DIII – New England

Any coach will tell you that if you are going to be competitive and win hockey games, you need to have some solid goaltending. Having a consistent guy between the pipes can be the difference in winning and losing and on occasion help your team steal a win in a game that they maybe didn’t … Read more

This Week in DIII – New England

It’s hard to believe, but there are only about six weeks left in the regular season as the teams start looking to play there best hockey down the stretch. No doubt the holiday hangovers have to be quickly swept aside and the focus needs to be there each game with some pivotal match-ups in league … Read more

This Week in DIII – New England

Happy New Year! 2006 is starting out with a flourish as teams get back to the ice and look to work off some indulgences taken over the holiday break. For some squads, the holiday season represented a chance to flex some muscle in some classic seasonal tournaments. While for other teams, the break represented a … Read more

This Week in DIII – New England

“It’s the most wonderful time of the year…” Really, it is! The holidays are upon us (reminder to self–only 9 shopping days left out there) and for many teams there is a lot to be celebratory about in the first half of the season. For others the stockings are a bit mixed on the present … Read more

This Week in D-III in New England

Just about a month into the season and already some interesting races are starting to heat up in each of the three divisions. Finishing the first half of the season on a high note will be important as teams look to build up positive momentum prior to breaking for the holidays. Let’s take a look … Read more

This Week in DIII – New England

Castleton State 3 St. Anselm’s 3 Wesleyan 6 Trinity 3 Fitchburg State 5 UMass-Dartmouth 4 Castleton State 2 Plymouth State 1 Colby 5 Nichols 4 Plymouth State 5 St. Anselm’s 4 Salem State 1 Norwich 1 Curry 4 Fitchburg State 3 For many scoreboard watchers, the beginning of the season has provided some major WOWs … Read more