Tim Costello
The final weeks of the regular season are in full swing, and the action continues to be full of surprises with teams playing for much that is still on the line in most conferences. Hobart has clinched the regular season title in the NEHC and Plymouth State, despite their first loss in almost two full … Read more
Most remember that last year’s D-III Frozen Four was hosted by the CCC’s Endicott and also included the University of New England among the finalists. What people may not remember is that Curry, also out of the CCC, was also an NCAA tournament team that defeated Bowdoin in the first round before losing to eventual … Read more
Moving into February and for most conferences that means three weeks left in league action with the NEHC only having two weeks before the conference tournament begins. There is still a lot at stake in battles for playoff position and home-ice advantage so wins, points and tiebreakers are all part of the equation this time … Read more
There are statement wins of which we saw a few this weekend from Plattsburgh, Norwich, and Plymouth State and then there are the bigger statement sweeps as executed by Hobart, Curry, Utica, and Trinity. The upset bug continued with a big win from Nichols and a milestone win for coach Dean Fuller at Fitchburg State … Read more
While Plymouth State has a secure handle on first place in the MASCAC standings so far this season, there is a lot of battling amongst familiar opponents for playoff positions including coach Dean Fuller’s Fitchburg State Falcons who currently hold down third place on the leaderboard just two points behind Massachusetts-Dartmouth. Fuller has been a … Read more
The slate of games this week is crazy good when you consider not only the ranking implications but maybe more importantly the league and seeding outcomes relative to tiebreakers, and the all-important head-to-head competition. As February approaches the stakes are certainly higher and like the games, I need to build momentum with my picks as … Read more
Another great weekend of hockey that continued to produce some big upsets where four ranked teams (Geneseo, Norwich, Trinity, and Salve Regina) in the east lost, playoff caliber hockey in several conferences where the races continue to tighten and a host of overtime games that produced a few sudden victory moments. Here is this week’s … Read more
A look at the national rankings finds a number of New York-based teams among the very best in the nation and logjammed in the top 10. While a lot of focus and discussion has included teams like Hobart, Elmira, Plattsburgh, Utica and even Skidmore, a very strong Geneseo has sort of flown under the radar … Read more
The trend lately has been bonus hockey, upsets and games that generally have the look and feel of playoff games as teams battle for conference points and position in the standings. Still some fun non-conference action mid-week going on but for most the action is focused on conference play and building momentum over the remainder … Read more
And we are back to chaos following a weekend where multiple ranked teams fell, 15 overtime games were played and things tightened up across several conference races as the second half action across the east heated up as expected. While bonus hockey was in abundance, not all the games were decisive with overtime played. Elmira, … Read more
The schedule now shifts to mostly conference play for the balance of the second half, so every game means a little bit more moving forward in January and the second half. I finally found a sweet spot with my picks last week going an impressive 11-1-0 (.917) and that now brings the season overall record … Read more
Currently sitting atop the NE-10 standings and with an overall record of 13-3-0, the Assumption Greyhounds have had early success with a foundation of strong team play, great offensive talent and a legacy coaching staff that includes all former players at Assumption dating back to former head coach Lance Brady. Head coach Michael Looney played … Read more
What a weekend with a plethora of great hockey in conference action with ranked teams battling for crucial points; tournament action where hardware was a clear focus and terrific non-conference games that produced the usual number of close contests if not upsets. There is always something new and exciting in the D-III hockey scene and … Read more
With Friday night’s matchup between No. 1 ranked Hobart on the road to face No. 10 Skidmore, there was a definite opportunity to put the spotlight both teams contending near the top of the NEHC standings. While Hobart won a non-conference game over Middlebury last weekend, the Thoroughbreds have been waiting nearly a month to … Read more
After dispatching non-conference foe Middlebury by an 8-1 score last weekend, No. 1 ranked Hobart enters 2024 with an 11-2-0 record and a remaining schedule that is strictly composed of NEHC opponents. The Statesmen know they face everyone’s best game as defending conference champions and national champions but may have their best team performing at … Read more
…And now the second half begins in earnest! The calendar has turned to a new year, but the teams are focused on producing big second half wins in pursuit of conference titles and maybe something more. I stumbled horribly with my picks for the the final games before the New Year with my picks going … Read more
Happy New Year!! While we ring in 2024, there was a lot of great hockey action closing out calendar 2023 across the east including a pair of tournaments that saw Stevenson and the University of New England emerge victorious against two pretty solid groups of contenders. There was also some great non-conference action and dare … Read more
Happy New Year and best wishes for a great 2024! The semester break is over as many teams resume New Year’s tournament play or non-conference action to finish out calendar year 2023 but officially kick-off the second half of the campaign. The first half delivered fantastic hockey and many surprises that fans everywhere can only … Read more
Dear Santa – we really have already received an abundance of presents in the great first half of action displayed by D-II/III hockey in the east. So, with all due respect to songwriters Edward Pola and George Wyle and their holiday classic released back in 1963, let me lead into the hockey wishes with a … Read more
And then there were none… It was a tough weekend for ranked teams in the East, as Plattsburgh, Utica, Skidmore, and Trinity all dropped games over the weekend leaving no unbeatens in the east and making for some interesting polling to come on Monday. It shouldn’t be a surprise that the competition continues to be … Read more