Jack HittingerI know it’s a cliche when sports announcers say, “It all comes down to THIS!” before a championship game, but it’s a cliche for a reason. This week’s WCHA championship game features two Upper Peninsula rivals playing on UP soil for the right to advance to the NCAA tournament. What could be better? Both Northern … Read more
I know it’s a cliche when sports announcers say, “It all comes down to THIS!” before a championship game, but it’s a cliche for a reason. This week’s WCHA championship game features two Upper Peninsula rivals playing on UP soil for the right to advance to the NCAA tournament. What could be better? Both Northern … Read more
Don’t count on seeing many people out and about in the Upper Peninsula starting at about 7 p.m. EDT on Saturday. If you don’t like college hockey, it’s probably an ideal time for you to go grocery shopping or see a movie (photo: Jim Rosvold/USCHO.com).
Are your pulses normal yet? What was a fun weekend of hockey fittingly ended with a pair of game three overtime contests. Northern Michigan and Michigan Tech both won their series in three games over Bowling Green and Minnesota State, respectively, setting up what will be an epic rivalry game in Marquette for the WCHA … Read more
Are your pulses normal yet? What was a fun weekend of hockey fittingly ended with a pair of game three overtime contests. Northern Michigan and Michigan Tech both won their series in three games over Bowling Green and Minnesota State, respectively, setting up what will be an epic rivalry game in Marquette for the WCHA … Read more
It’s semifinal time! Three of the WCHA’s top four seeds advanced to this round. The “odd” team out is Michigan Tech, who was the fifth-seed and swept fourth-seeded Bemidji State but was only an “upset” in name only. The winners this weekend move on to the single-game WCHA championship to play for the brand-new Jeff … Read more
It’s semifinal time! Three of the WCHA’s top four seeds advanced to this round. The “odd” team out is Michigan Tech, who was the fifth-seed and swept fourth-seeded Bemidji State but was only an “upset” in name only. The winners this weekend move on to the single-game WCHA championship to play for the brand-new Jeff … Read more
The WCHA has been, for the past two seasons, a one-bid conference (photo: Jim Rosvold).
1. wWildcats survive scare from Chargers Second-seeded Northern Michigan had every reason to be worried about its first-round quarterfinal matchup with seventh-seeded Alabama Huntsville — the teams had split during their four-game regular-season series. It turns out those fears were founded. Although the Wildcats pummelled the Chargers 7-1 in Friday’s opener, UAH gritted out a … Read more
1. wWildcats survive scare from Chargers Second-seeded Northern Michigan had every reason to be worried about its first-round quarterfinal matchup with seventh-seeded Alabama Huntsville — the teams had split during their four-game regular-season series. It turns out those fears were founded. Although the Wildcats pummelled the Chargers 7-1 in Friday’s opener, UAH gritted out a … Read more
Conference playoff season is upon us, and it might be the most fun part of college hockey in my humble opinion. The best-of-three series, to me, most closely resemble “playoff hockey” — there’s something about playoff series rather than single-elimination tournaments that rewards consistency rather than puck luck. (Of course, those winner-take all elimination games … Read more
Conference playoff season is upon us, and it might be the most fun part of college hockey in my humble opinion. The best-of-three series, to me, most closely resemble “playoff hockey” — there’s something about playoff series rather than single-elimination tournaments that rewards consistency rather than puck luck. (Of course, those winner-take all elimination games … Read more
The regular season is over. Minnesota State, thanks to an 11-game unbeaten streak to end the season, clinched its third MacNaughton Cup in four years (photo: Jim Rosvold).
Another regular season in the WCHA meant another season where things were decided on the last weekend of the season! Here’s a quick look at the playoff pairings before I get to my three thoughts: No. 8 Alaska at No. 1 Minnesota State No. 7 Alabama Huntsville at No. 2 Northern Michigan No. 6 Ferris … Read more
Another regular season in the WCHA meant another season where things were decided on the last weekend of the season! Here’s a quick look at the playoff pairings before I get to my three thoughts: No. 8 Alaska at No. 1 Minnesota State No. 7 Alabama Huntsville at No. 2 Northern Michigan No. 6 Ferris … Read more
It’s the last weekend of the regular season. There’s still a MacNaughton Cup championship to be decided, plus three playoff spots and four teams left to claim them. What’s going to happen? Let’s find out! Lake Superior State at Ferris State The Lakers have gotten themselves back into playoff contention thanks to a four-game win … Read more
It’s the last weekend of the regular season. There’s still a MacNaughton Cup championship to be decided, plus three playoff spots and four teams left to claim them. What’s going to happen? Let’s find out! Lake Superior State at Ferris State The Lakers have gotten themselves back into playoff contention thanks to a four-game win … Read more
There always seems to be some sort of drama in the final week of the WCHA’s regular season. This year is no different (photo: Candace Horgan).
A few things I think we learned on the penultimate weekend of the WCHA regular season: 1. Minnesota State takes control With first-place Northern Michigan idle, Minnesota State needed only three points to move into first place in the WCHA standings. They did that and more, sweeping Ferris State to earn six points and move … Read more
A few things I think we learned on the penultimate weekend of the WCHA regular season: 1. Minnesota State takes control With first-place Northern Michigan idle, Minnesota State needed only three points to move into first place in the WCHA standings. They did that and more, sweeping Ferris State to earn six points and move … Read more