Jim ConnellyAny fans who arrived late to Boston College’s Kelley Rink on Friday night might be asking for a refund. After a first period that featured six goals, three by each team, only the hosts could muster any more offense, a Ben Smith goal at 9:18 of the second period that held up as the game-winner … Read more
Two teams that were recently down on their luck, Merrimack and Massachusetts-Lowell, have put together good starts to the 2009-10 season, senior writer Jim Connelly reports.
Terriers Make Much Needed Rebound Could everyone hear that collective sigh of relief coming from Commonwealth Avenue on Saturday evening? That was the Boston University Terrier faithful breathing once again after the defending national champions earned their first win of the season, 3-2, over Michigan. After opening the season with losses at Massachusetts two weekends … Read more
In coach Mark Dennehy’s four years at Merrimack, the one thing that has been certain and consistent for his team has been its improvement. After a six-win season in 2005-06 and a three-win campaign a year later, the Warriors posted 12 wins two seasons ago and another nine last year. The nine may not have … Read more
An aberration. That’s what Maine hockey fans hope that the past two seasons have been. After nine straight 20-plus win campaigns, nine straight trips to the NCAA tournament, six visits to the Frozen Four and, of course, a national championship, the Black Bears have posted two straight 13-win seasons. To say that the natives are … Read more
After Boston College’s national championship in 2001, the Eagles struggled through the 2001-02 campaign and missed the NCAA tournament. Last year, coming off another NCAA title, coach Jerry York’s team followed in the footsteps of the 01-02 club, much to his dismay, and struggle to find consistency, ultimately missing the NCAA tournament. Though York likely … Read more
The ending for the 2008-09 season for the Massachusetts-Lowell River Hawks was, to say the least, bittersweet. After advancing to the Hockey East Championship game for the first time since 1994 and only the second time in school history, Blaise MacDonald’s club dropped a heartbreaking — if not controversial — 1-0 decision to the ultimate … Read more
Possibly the biggest question mark in Hockey East this season is the Providence Friars. Last season, to say the team struggled would be an understatement. An early-season injury to top goaltender Ryan Simpson left the club in the lurch early. That translated to a 3-12-1 record at the break and a hill that seemingly could … Read more
It appeared to be one of the best-laid road maps. The solution that seemingly was brokered between all college hockey conferences and the 58 member institutions that would find homes for the four “homeless” members of the CHA looked almost too good to be true. Thanks to the CCHA, looks certainly aren’t meant to be … Read more
One of college hockey’s greatest rivalries will have one of the game’s best-known voices telling its story when Rival Films releases “The Battle of Comm Ave — Boston University vs. Boston College” this fall. Mike “Doc” Emrick, the well-known voice for NBC and Versus broadcasts of NHL action, will provide the narration for this one-of-a-kind … Read more
The Edmonton Oilers made one of the most interesting selections on Saturday when, in the third round, they called the name of Troy Hesketh. Hesketh is committed to attend Wisconsin but won’t do so until September of 2011. He is heading next year to play junior hockey in the U.S. Hockey League. Hesketh was not … Read more
The Minnesota Wild pulled the ultimate fast one during Friday night’s NHL Entry Draft and in doing so were part of college hockey’s most disappointing opening draft round in recent memory. Â After having the 13th overall pick in the first round, positioned perfectly the select Minnesota-born Jordan Schroeder, the Wild traded their top selection … Read more
College hockey quickly redeemed itself at the 2009 NHL Entry Draft on Saturday with 10 college freshmen-to-be becoming NHL property in the second round. The onslaught of college players came a day after only seven collegians were drafted in the opening round and none among the top 15 overall picks. Leading the way on Saturday … Read more
For the second time in three years, there’s a strong possibility that the opening round of the NHL Entry Draft will have 30 teams pick only forwards and defensemen, leaving goaltenders on the outside looking in. In 2007, Joel Gistedt from Finland was the first goaltender selected as the sixth pick in the second round, … Read more
There’s no doubt that the pressure that is placed on 18-year-old kids at the NHL Entry Draft is unmatched, maybe even unfair. These kids trade skateboards and roller blades for business suits, sit through difficult job interviews with countless NHL general managers and have a media spotlight shone on them for three straight days. For … Read more
The debate has raged on and on in recent years between which is better: Junior A hockey or U.S. college hockey. This weekend in Montreal we may find out the answer, at least in the eyes of those most important to the game — NHL executives. As this weekend’s NHL Entry Draft kicks off, beyond … Read more
Boston College goaltender John Muse underwent hip surgery on April 30 to repair a torn labrum, the school confirmed on Wednesday. According to Boston College head coach Jerry York, Muse, who over the last two seasons has played all but seven minutes, 56 seconds for the Eagles, will return to the BC lineup no earlier … Read more
Boston University star and Hobey Baker Hat Trick finalist Colin Wilson signed with the Nashville Predators Friday, forgoing his final two years of eligibility with the Terriers. Wilson helped Boston University win the National Championship one weekend ago. He finished second in the nation in both points (55) and assists (38). Son of former NHL … Read more
Minnesota’s Jordan Schroeder continues to be the top choice of collegiate players eligible for this year’s NHL Entry Draft, that according to the NHL Central Scouting Service’s (CSS) final rankings. Schroeder, who ranked second on the Gophers in scoring this year with 45 points (13 goals, 32 assists) behind only Ryan Stoa, was ranked fifth … Read more
In one of the most incredible comebacks in NCAA tournament history, Boston University defeated Miami 4-3 on a Colby Cohen goal at 11:47 of overtime to capture the school’s fifth national title and first since 1995. Cohen’s shot from above the left faceoff circle deflected off Miami’s Kevin Roeder, popped in the air and looped … Read more