Phil Kessel: Something To Prove?
Phil Kessel was indisputable college hockey’s hottest incoming commodity a year ago. Saturday, the Minnesota sophomore-to-be saw his stock drop a bit, Jim Connelly reports.
Jim Connelly
Eight Collegians, Record Ten Americans Go In NHL First Round
Former U.S. National Team Development Program and current Minnesota freshman-to-be Erik Johnson was the number-one selection in Saturday’s NHL Entry Draft, marking the first time since Rick DiPietro in 2000 that a player with college ties was the top player taken. Johnson’s march to the draft stage began a parade of players with college connections … Read more
Shaking The Foundation
As the cream of the crop of young hockey talent strides to the podium Saturday, Jim Connelly says you can credit an American flavor partly to the growth of the U.S. National Team Development Program.
Vancouver Notebook
There’s plenty going on in Vancouver around the NHL Draft, and Jim Connelly is there to soak it all up.
Mock Draft: The Top Ten
Bets, anyone? With the 2006 NHL draft looming, Jim Connelly takes a crack at picking this season’s top 10 selections.
History In The Making?
Players with college ties could take the top three slots in this weekend’s NHL Draft — and Jim Connelly finds that there’s plenty more where that came from.
Eagles, Badgers Knotted Up Through Two Periods
A second-period goal by Wisconsin’s Robbie Earl was the only tally of the frame, just enough to draw the Badgers even, 1-1, with Boston College after two periods of the 2006 NCAA championship game at the Bradley Center. Earl’s goal came in the opening minutes of the second period, after which both teams had their … Read more
Gilbert Nets Winner To Give Wisconsin NCAA Title No. 6
A risk-taking defenseman, an opportunistic forward, and 17,000-plus screaming fans clad in Badger red and white all spelled the formula for bringing the national championship back to Wisconsin. Courtesy of a power-play goal with 9:32 remaining from the stick of defenseman Tom Gilbert, the Wisconsin Badgers captured their first national championship since 1990 and the … Read more
The Survivors
The Boston College Eagles, just four weeks ago, were talking more about bubbles than rings. After a near-deadly skid that ended the regular season, BC knew not only did it need to advance to the Hockey East final four, but in doing so needed to sweep its best two-of-three quarterfinal series with Vermont in order … Read more
Collins Hat Trick Has Eagles One Period From Title Game
Thanks to a hat trick from senior Chris Collins and a pair of tallies from rookie defensemen, Boston College holds a 5-2 lead over North Dakota through two periods of play in the opening semifinal of the 2006 Frozen Four. Boston College pulled in front, 3-0, in the opening period despite being outshot, 12-5, in … Read more
Second Wind: Wisconsin Ahead Of Maine After Two
Two second period goals, one coming on the power play and one on the shorthand, currently stand as the difference as Wisconsin leads Maine, 3-1, through 40 minutes of play in Thursday’s second semifinal of the 2006 Frozen Four. The opening period saw each team feel one another out for most of the frame, with … Read more
Home Bodies: Badgers Reach Title Game With Win Over Maine
Any victory in a Frozen Four is something special, but Wisconsin’s 5-2 win over Maine in the second semifinal of the 2006 Frozen Four might just be extra-special. In a battle of special teams, Wisconsin scored both with the man-advantage and on the shorthand and killed all seven of Maine’s power plays to advance to … Read more
Collins Nets Hat Trick, BC Holds Off UND Comeback
Call it crazy, call it unexpected. For Boston College, it’s a win. In an unexpected offensive outburst by both clubs, Boston College outlasted North Dakota, 6-5, in the opening semifinal of the 2006 Frozen Four to advance to the NCAA title game for the seventh time in school history and fourth time in nine years. … Read more
Semifinal Notebook: Wisconsin
It’s typical that the day before the Frozen Four starts, most of the players and coaches are still pretty loose, pretty relaxed, having a lot of fun. Mike Eaves oversees the Badgers’ Wednesday skate at the Bradley Center (photo: Melissa Wade). According to Wisconsin captain Adam Burish, that enjoyment is something that was part of … Read more
Semifinal Notebook: Maine
No one in the Maine camp is unaware of the task that lies ahead as the Black Bears face off against Wisconsin on what will feel like enemy ice. Maine, though, is no stranger to playing big games as a “road” team on allegedly “neutral” ice. In fact, this is the fifth year in a … Read more
Pioneering Laker: Hunt’s Early Departure A First For Atlantic Hockey
With Atlantic Hockey still basking in the glory of Holy Cross’ first-round NCAA upset of Minnesota, the league and its member schools can feel the glow of even more sunshine. Mercyhurst would-be senior defenseman Jamie Hunt became the league’s first-ever early departure for the National Hockey League, signing a contract with the Washington Capitals, USCHO.com … Read more
Sweet Redemption
The historic 2005 Frozen Four saw the WCHA dominate the postseason. This time around, Jim Connelly says Maine helped show Hockey East’s not half-bad either.
Spartans, Lerg Shut Down New Hampshire
You always hear coaches talk about the “little things” in college sports. After Saturday’s opening game of the 2006 NCAA East Regional, Michigan State head coach Rick Comley may want to make it part of his credo. In a game where his Spartans did all of the little things perfectly, a Tim Crowder goal just … Read more
Holy Cross Takes Second Straight AHA Title
Holy Cross faithful, book your flights to Grand Forks: you’re going to the Big Dance. Thanks to a 5-2 victory over Cinderella Bentley on Saturday night, the Crusaders captured their second Atlantic Hockey championship in three years, and with it received the league’s automatic qualifier for next weekend’s NCAA tournament. With Wisconsin beating Minnesota in … Read more
Still Alive: Bentley Stuns Mercyhurst In Double Overtime
The ultimate Cinderella story remained alive Friday night as Bentley, a team that six weeks ago looked headed for the golf course, upset Mercyhurst, 3-2 in double overtime, to advance to the Atlantic Hockey championship game for the first time in school history. Bentley, which will face host and No. 1 seed Holy Cross in … Read more