Jim ConnellyUpset Hounds Just one week after dropping below .500 and to the bottom edge of the USCHO.com/CSTV poll, Boston University played the role of rebound team of the week, ending two winning streaks over the weekend with wins over Vermont and Maine. The wins came at a good time, as the Ice Dogs were on … Read more
BOSTON – There were ten goals, eighty-three shots and multi-goal games by two collegiate rookies. In the end, though, the script played out as written. New Hampshire, despite having to overcome a deficit late in the second period, rode a two-goal effort by freshman Thomas Fortney to earn a 6-4 victory over Northeastern on Friday … Read more
Blame, Burden Or Opportunity We’ve all heard by now that the CHA is running into problems in replacing Air Force, which next season will head to Atlantic Hockey as the league’s 10th member. Kennesaw State, which was a potential sixth member for the CHA, doesn’t appear ready to move to the Division I level. That … Read more
If Boston College rookie Brock Bradford has proved anything in the past week for the Eagles, it’s that he’d rather be lucky than good. For the second straight game, Bradford notched the game-winning goal, and similar to Saturday’s winner in a 3-2 victory against Providence, throwing the puck to the net was the best play … Read more
In a program steeped with history, the No. 8 Boston College Eagles were glad on Saturday night not to be making any more. Faced with going winless in its first three league games for the first time in the history of the program, the Eagles rallied behind a two-goal effort from senior Chris Collins and … Read more
Who says all great hockey is played in March? In a battle of two of the top clubs in Hockey East, the No. 5 Maine Black Bears used solid special teams and great goaltending to sneak past host No. 8 Boston College, 2-1, in a game that featured crisp passing and solid pace throughout. “Both … Read more
The Never-Ending Question Connecticut coach Bruce Marshall, when asked if Atlantic Hockey teams are beginning to close the gap between themselves and clubs in Hockey East, had a quick comeback. “You guys [the media] love to ask that question, don’t you?” he quipped. Truth is, the media and a lot of fans in Atlantic Hockey … Read more
Throughout the season, USCHO.com staffers Scott Brown and Jim Connelly will offer their views on the previous weeks’ action, alternating writing duties every Tuesday. Brown will focus on the West and Connelly on the East, in a regular column exclusive to USCHO Extra. Let’s Get Things Started A week later than my counterpart, Scott Brown, … Read more
Falcons’ Fire If there were any question whether or not Bentley will be a good hockey team this year, last Friday’s game versus Air Force in the Q-Cup tournament may have been an answer. The potential trouble spot for the Falcons was goaltending entering this season. Friday, though, Ray Jean, a transfer from Maine playing … Read more
WCHA Who? It’s the power conference in the country. Last year, the WCHA put four teams in the Frozen Four, an unprecedented accomplishment. As season three of Atlantic Hockey began last weekend, no AHA team had ever beaten a WHCA foe. And that dated back to the old days of the MAAC league. Enter Mercyhurst. … Read more
If Massachusetts-Lowell head coach Blaise MacDonald needed a word to describe the outlook for his club midway through the game, it’s likely the one that would come to mind would be “ominous.” That’s why it’s good to have a big-name player living up to the reputation of his roots. Mark Pandolfo, cousin of NHL star … Read more
As you look back at last year’s Holy Cross team, you have to think that the 2004-05 edition of the Crusaders was one of the better teams to play in either the MAAC or Atlantic Hockey and not take home any hardware. It would seem like last year’s ‘Cross club had everything — two solid … Read more
When Tim Olsen arrived on the UConn campus four years ago, no one knew the impact he could have. Having transferred from Division III Augsburg, head coach Bruce Marshall knew he had a talented player but didn’t know he’d watch Olsen net 100 points in his three seasons in Storrs. Now for the first time … Read more
Bentley joins a handful of bottom-half preseason picks in wondering what things between the pipes will look like this season. With the graduation of Simon St. Pierre, who recorded all but six decisions last season, the Falcons will hope to answer the goaltending question immediately with the addition of Ray Jean, a transfer from Maine. … Read more
And then there were eight. In a year of transition, Atlantic Hockey still has hopes for growth. After losing Quinnipiac at the end of last season to the ECACHL, the fledgling league will play with eight member clubs for the first time since most of the remaining members established themselves as a Division I conference … Read more
As a rookie head coach, Brian Riley found out what it’s like to be challenged. Besides the fact that Riley’s brother Rob, his predecessor, had left him one of the youngest lineups in the country last year, an early-season injury to goaltender Brad Roberts really put Riley behind the eight-ball in season one. One year … Read more
Last year was supposed to be “the year” for Sacred Heart. Everything had fallen into place for the Pioneers and, without any doubt, everyone in the Sacred Heart locker room felt poised to finally take the next step and make it to the NCAA tournament for the first time in school history. Sometimes, though, even … Read more
If there’s any theme to the 2005-06 hockey campaign for Canisius, it would be new beginnings. A year ago, despite having wonderful on-ice success, the Griffs took a major black eye when head coach Brian Cavanaugh was fired after a player revolt. With Cavanaugh out, multiple disciplinary problems ensued that led to the resignation of … Read more
As you look around Atlantic Hockey, a lot of teams are faced with the issue of not having a goaltender to turn to. That said, it almost seems unfair that Mercyhurst has four. That’s right, the defending champs, who this year were picked along with Holy Cross to repeat as champions, have four different goaltenders … Read more
AIC head coach Gary Wright is a hard-working man. Not only does he coach hockey for the Yellow Jackets, he’s also the school’s golf coach. So when the Atlantic Hockey coaches’ poll picked his Yellow Jackets to finish last this season, he was a bit humbled. “I’m just glad I don’t coach three sports,” said … Read more