Jim ConnellyFriday night, Boston College rookie Brian Boyle may have earned his nickname: “Showtime.” With the game in the balance against Providence, the highly-touted Boyle — who has struggled offensively early in his freshman campaign — took control by scoring twice in the third period, the final time to break a 4-4 tie with 5:18 remaining … Read more
New favorite Holy Cross leaps ahead of the pack, thanks to senior leadership and consistent goaltending; meanwhile, depleted Quinnipiac is just looking for warm bodies to fill uniforms. Jim Connelly reports.
Boston College head coach Jerry York proved Tuesday night that he’s a gambling man. Merrimack almost made York pay for his gamble. With a lineup depleted by injuries, the No. 2-ranked Eagles took to the ice against Merrimack with rookie goaltender Joe Pearce making his first collegiate start, one that he’d likely wish he had … Read more
For the No. 9 Massachusetts Minutemen, Saturday night’s 3-2 road victory over Providence was an example of making the most of the situation. A night after losing, 4-1, to No. 3 Boston College on home ice, the realization was that getting two points out of the weekend was what counted the most. So with their … Read more
No. 2 New Hampshire learned its lesson the hard way Friday night: you can play with fire once and get away with it, but eventually it will catch up with you. Three nights after falling behind, 2-0, but rallying with two late goals to salvage a tie against No. 3 Boston College, a tired-looking UNH … Read more
Just a couple weeks into the season, Atlantic Hockey’s elite are already trying to separate themselves from the pack. Also: the first MAAC/AH alum reaches the big time, and UConn gets through a wacky weekend. Jim Connelly reports.
Massachusetts-Lowell used five straight goals, including three in a five-and-a-half minute span of the second period, to knock off Bentley, 5-2, at the Tsongas Arena. According to Lowell head coach Blaise MacDonald, the win was about as good as he could have expected from his club. “It been a long time since I’ve played in … Read more
It wasn’t the long sought-after win for the Northeastern Huskies on Friday night, but it was enough to make head coach Bruce Crowder somewhat satisfied. “I’m really encouraged by this club,” said Crowder, whose club, after a 2-2 tie Friday night at home against Providence is now 0-5-2 – the longest winless streak for Northeastern … Read more
What’s the connection between the current Big East vs. ACC vs. everyone else mess and Atlantic Hockey? Jim Connelly knows. Also: assessing the importance of Mercyhurst’s historic upset, and the league finally gets into full swing.
Friday night, the level of hockey that the No. 14 Massachusetts Minutemen played in the 6-2 home loss against No. 15 Providence was as close to uninspired as head coach Don Cahoon can stomach. So it was no surprise that Cahoon wanted his team to play with — as he called it — “a purpose” … Read more
On the night that folklore marks as the scariest of the year, nightmares continued for the Northeastern Huskies. Despite dominating Massachusetts-Lowell for the better part of two periods, the Huskies relinquished a 2-1 lead midway through the game, allowing the River Hawks to score the game’s final four goals to lose 5-2 at Matthews Arena … Read more
Mercyhurst puts an end to the “almosts” for Atlantic Hockey with a big win over a CCHA opponent; Brad Roberts mans the nets for Army; and college hockey returns to HSBC Arena in Buffalo. Jim Connelly reports.
A weekend of “almost” — including three ties against Big Four opponents — produces optimism in Atlantic Hockey, which gets more chances to pull the upset this weekend. Also: Jim Connelly explores the reasons behind the conference’s road-warrior mentality in nonconference games.
Putting together a new hockey league is no small task, and it’s a lot larger when only a few months separate the conference’s founding from the start of the season. Jim Connelly continues his interview with Atlantic Hockey commissioner Bob DeGregorio.
One day after Merrimack head coach Chris Serino had laser eye surgery to correct his vision, he was as excited as a kid at Christmas that he could read his line charts without glasses on his face. Serino was presumably equally happy with the fact that his distance vision is still hazy — given that … Read more
The future could be in the air as UConn gets some mileage in goal from a freshman. Also, Mercyhurst serves up a rematch of an historic NCAA tourney game; and the eighth edition of the Q-Cup highlights the upcoming weekend. Jim Connelly reports.
One of the more experienced teams in Atlantic Hockey this season is Army. Having lost only three players, only one of whom was in the top five in scoring, and returning a defense that ranked fourth in the MAAC a year ago, it’s no surprise that head coach Rob Riley is optimistic for his club’s … Read more
A year ago, the voices say, Bentley simply overachieved. Having finished in or near the cellar of the MAAC for three straight years, a fifth-place finish, a first-round upset of Sacred Heart and a berth in the MAAC final four was a dream come true. Overachieving? Maybe, though not in the eyes of head coach … Read more
Hockey East announced today a new television agreement with New England Sports Network (NESN) beginning in January 2004. The deal, announced at the league’s annual media day, will move Hockey East coverage from rival Fox Sports Network to NESN, the home of Boston Bruins hockey. It is the second stay for Hockey East with NESN. … Read more
As the Holy Cross seniors return to the ice for their final season as Crusaders, there’s no doubt that the last two years were memorable. Top-four finishes in MAAC play, home ice in the playoffs and a berth in the final four last year: these players have plenty to be proud of. But when memories … Read more