David H. HendricksonA live turkey tied to a goalpost … the famous “zip code” speech and the infamous money on the table … a geyser in the visitors’ locker room during a national championship game … If you look at the nondescript exterior of UMass-Lowell’s Tully Forum, you’d never guess the oft-bizarre history that lurks within. On … Read more
Although some separation is starting to take place after the first-place to seventh-place logjam of recent weeks, the race is still a wide-open affair. Boston College is in first, but New Hampshire and Boston University hold the advantage of two games in hand. Next Tuesday, BC travels to UNH for the week’s top matchup, and … Read more
Only two points separate the first-place and seventh-place teams. Boston University, New Hampshire and Providence have the edge with either two or three games in hand against the rest, but who knows how this league is going to shake out? Boston College had the best week of them all, taking three of four points from … Read more
The Latrell Sprewell incident was in high gear. Sports talk shows, like those on Boston’s WEEI radio, were discussing nothing but the case of the basketball star who choked his own coach. Then, crackling over the airwaves, came the Sports Flash, WEEI’s 20-minute update. “Merrimack Warriors hockey coach Ron Anderson announced that Cris Classen will … Read more
And it’s pouring media this week, as Sports Channel New England (soon to be Fox New England) begins its Hockey East Game of the Week on Saturday with a Boston College-Maine clash. Look for an upcoming interview with play-by-play announcer Sean Grande and color analyst Cap Raeder. Adding to the exposure will be a new … Read more
Think about the great turnarounds in sports. The last-to-first 1967 Boston Red Sox. The rags-to-riches New York Islanders of the seventies. The bozos-to-boffo Dallas Cowboys earlier this decade. This year’s Northeastern Huskies are threatening to join the pantheon of those great all-time transformations from 97-pound weaklings to muscle-bound tough guys. "They’ve raised the level of … Read more
Marc Robitaille earned Koho/Hockey East Player of the Week honors as well as Mariucci Classic MVP for his role in the tourney win, especially his 40 saves in the championship game. Robitaille was also named the Heaton/Hockey East Goalie of the Month. In December, he posted a 4-0-1 record, a 1.97 goals against average and … Read more
If ever there was a need to prove that axiom, one look at the league standings says it all. Four of the top five teams — Northeastern, Boston University, New Hampshire and Providence — arguably have the top five goaltenders in the league. Marc Robitaille, Michel Larocque, Tom Noble, Sean Matile and freshman Boyd Ballard … Read more
While it’s true that every team in the league holds games in hand on the Huntington Hounds — led by BU’s five — you still have to admire the way that last year’s cellar-dwellers, who were predicted to finish there once again, have rebounded. Their own Billy Newson took Koho Player of the Week honors … Read more
The following is an excerpt of “A Few Good Men: The Inside Story of a College Hockey Season,” a book by Dave Hendrickson currently under consideration for publication. December, 1996 Final exams were over. Like any other student, Travis Roy felt relief and satisfaction. He’d done well in both of his courses, one in English … Read more
Man, I thought, I can’t wait for tonight’s game. Minutes later, I was padding over to the computer. Although the UNH-Merrimack rematch that night proved to be a dud, this still is an exceptional year to be a Hockey East fan. The league is posting an unprecedented 25-7-1 record against non-league foes, four teams are … Read more
Okay, maybe only dinosaurs from the sixties can remember that phrase while wearing day-glow bellbottoms and saying, "Groovy!" But it sure fit last week’s action in Hockey East. Until the irresistible force met the immovable object last Sunday — in the form of Providence and UMass-Lowell facing each other after both teams won on Friday … Read more
Freshmen netminders Boyd Ballard of Providence and Scott Clemmensen of BC shared league Rookie of the Week honors. On a more depressing note, this column’s 1-900-FAT-HEAD Pick of the Week phone line has been changed to 1-900-CLU-LESS after last week’s 3-6 debacle. After taking the weekend off to be in Ottawa — during which a … Read more
Before the season started, Joe Mallen was realistic. One year earlier, he’d recruited Tim Lovell from Maine after NCAA sanctions put the Black Bears out of postseason action. Lovell had practiced with the Minutemen all year long and been the best player on the ice, but a year without any game action was certain to … Read more
Not surprisingly, Merrimack and Maine — last year’s two hottest teams down the stretch — garnered the league’s weekly awards. Merrimack forward Martin Laroche earned Karhu Player of the Week honors for his three-goal, seven-assist weekend. Maine forward Matthias Trattnig got the Rookie of the Week nod for his two power-play goals against Lowell that … Read more
In recognition of this brilliance, readers will now have the option of calling 1-900-FAT-HEAD for a special Absolute Lock of the Week and a guaranteed Shocking Upset of the Week. Impress your date. Wow your friends. Put my kids through college. On a more serious note, Hockey East now stands 11-3-1 in its interconference record. … Read more
There’s a nip in the air and some hot apple cider on the stove. Unraked leaves cover the lawn. The Red Sox have missed another World Series. It’s time to select a preseason all-rookie team. Although half the teams have played a real game or two, these picks were made before the first “W” or … Read more
Except for two Friday night games — UMass-Lowell hosting UMass-Amherst and Northeastern traveling to Providence — the nonconference fare continues, led by the J.C. Penney Classic, which potentially pits No. 5 Colorado College and No. 6 Maine in the championship game. Last week’s record in picks: 8-2 Season’s record in picks: 10-2 J.C. Penney Classic … Read more
Although the season has barely begun, injuries to BU’s Chris Heron and both of Boston College’s goalies could have a significant impact on both teams’ chances this week. And be sure to check out the Northeastern preview for some interesting developments in Husky-land. Last week’s record in picks: 2-0 Season record in picks: 2-0 No. … Read more
In many ways, Joe Bertagna was ECAC hockey. Over the course of 15 years, he ran the full gamut of positions in the conference, going from tournament director to public relations coordinator to sports information director to its first hockey commissioner. His footprints surrounded everything from the ECAC television packages to its corporate sponsorships to … Read more