David H. HendricksonHere are the three things I think I learned this week. Three: Merrimack could be a force yet again this year. I’ll admit it. I thought this season would be a tough one for the Warriors. They’d excelled the past couple years despite the attrition, but they’d just lost too much this time around. Which is why I … Read more
Here are the three things I think I learned this week. Three: Merrimack could be a force yet again this year. I’ll admit it. I thought this season would be a tough one for the Warriors. They’d excelled the past couple years despite the attrition, but they’d just lost too much this time around. Which is why I … Read more
Merrimack broke open a 2-1 game with two third-period, power-play goals to defeat 15th-ranked Northeastern in its own barn, 5-2. Kyle Bigos scored the first on a five-on-three that arose out of a five-minute major. After Northeastern countered with considerable pressure, Brendan Ellis provided the nail-in-the-coffin second at 10:15. Jordan Heywood had scored twice in … Read more
With many fans festooned in Halloween costumes, Parker Milner played trick-or-treat on the near-capacity crowd, stopping all 38 shots to lead Boston College over Massachusetts-Lowell 1-0. The River Hawks outshot BC 38-20, but could not solve the senior netminder. The blanking marked Milner’s second consecutive shutout and the sixth of his career. He also recorded … Read more
Hockey East had a tough weekend and many of those losses extended to Jim and me. We both believed a little too much in the league. We’ll be hoping for better results this week for all concerned. Dave last week: 5-5-1 Jim last week: 4-6-1 Dave’s record-to-date: 13-8-2 Jim’s record-to-date: 9-12-2 Here are this week’s picks: Friday, October 26 … Read more
Hockey East had a tough weekend and many of those losses extended to Jim and me. We both believed a little too much in the league. We’ll be hoping for better results this week for all concerned. Dave last week: 5-5-1 Jim last week: 4-6-1 Dave’s record-to-date: 13-8-2 Jim’s record-to-date: 9-12-2 Here are this week’s picks: Friday, October 26 … Read more
We’re a few weeks into the season and there’s only one Hockey East team that remains undefeated and untied: New Hampshire. Its three wins are a far cry from last year when the Wildcats buried themselves with a poor start that began with four losses and extended for much of the first half. “It feels … Read more
I probably learned more than three things about Hockey East this weekend. At least I think so. But that’s our Monday morning format, which also leaves me something for the mid-week column. So here are the three most significant things I think I learned. Three: Boston College dodged a celebration bullet. Imagine the scene on … Read more
I probably learned more than three things about Hockey East this weekend. At least I think so. But that’s our Monday morning format, which also leaves me something for the mid-week column. So here are the three most significant things I think I learned. Three: Boston College dodged a celebration bullet. Imagine the scene on … Read more
In a battle of early-season unbeaten rivals, New Hampshire scored a decisive win over Boston University, winning 4-1 after spotting the Terriers their lone goal in the opening minute. Four different Wildcats scored in front of a sellout crowd and Casey DeSmith was solid in net, stopping 24 of 25 shots. At the other end, … Read more
I suppose I should be hanging my head in shame at starting the year 1-2. I should be asking who would have expected Merrimack to knock off fifth-ranked Union? And who would have expected Maine to fall to Quinnipiac? The sad rationalizations should be flying. Instead, I’m giddy with delight. Why? Because I may be … Read more
I suppose I should be hanging my head in shame at starting the year 1-2. I should be asking who would have expected Merrimack to knock off fifth-ranked Union? And who would have expected Maine to fall to Quinnipiac? The sad rationalizations should be flying. Instead, I’m giddy with delight. Why? Because I may be … Read more
A year ago, Boston boasted itself as the City of Champions. With titles in all four major professional sports in a mere 10-year span — an unprecedented achievement — the proverbial shoe fit. Hockey East partisans may similarly be ready to call themselves part of the League of Champions. Over the past five years, Hockey … Read more
Last year, New Hampshire failed to secure playoff home ice for the first time since 1996, a span during which the Wildcats finished first six times. That sustained excellence went by the wayside when they got off to a bad start fueled by poor goaltending and continued with an uncharacteristic inability to finish scoring chances. … Read more
Providence coach Nate Leaman inherited a team last year that had missed the playoffs the previous two seasons. However, he turned things around much faster than anyone expected, guiding the Friars not only to the playoffs but to a semifinal appearance at the Garden. Whether the Friars take another step forward rides to a significant … Read more
Merrimack will be hard pressed to match its success of the last two years when it posted 16-8-3 and 13-9-5 league records. The Warriors flourished last season despite losing Stephane Da Costa, but the attrition strikes hard this time at all three positions. The loss of All-Hockey East goaltender Joe Cannata hurts most of all. … Read more
Last season, Maine ranked seventh in the country in team offense and featured since-departed stars Spencer Abbott, Bryan Flynn, Matt Mangene and, on the blue line, Will O’Neill. It’s not as though the cupboard has been left bare, but don’t expect another top-10 offense. “Like coaches often say, we have to replace those elite players … Read more
It isn’t possible to discuss Boston University hockey without first addressing the elephant in the room, namely the sexual assault charges against two Terriers players last year and the resulting task force report that found a celebrity culture among players. “Every kid on every campus who’s an athlete should have the idea that they’re looked … Read more
I’ll be reading from Cracking the Ice and signing copies at the Andover Bookstore, 89R Main Street, Andover, MA. Thursday night at 7. If you’re in the area, stop by.
I’ll be reading from Cracking the Ice and signing copies at the Andover Bookstore, 89R Main Street, Andover, MA. Thursday night at 7. If you’re in the area, stop by.