Jim ConnellyOne season ago, Brian Gionta practically rewrote the Boston College record books. Fast forward a year, and you can get a bit of a feeling that sophomore Ben Eaves would like to follow in Gionta’s footsteps. If that’s the case, in the month of November, Eaves has succeeded. Since Nov. 8, Eaves has recorded multiple … Read more
Two struggling teams in Merrimack and Providence met Friday night, and the result was the Warriors’ first Hockey East win.
The scholarship issue is on the back-burner for now, but everyone is still talking about it. How necessary is a scholarship increase for the MAAC’s long-term survival. Also … Justin Eddy challenged to step up for Quinnipiac.
Tim Kelleher stood strong in the net for the Boston College Eagles as he shut out the Harvard Crimson, 1-0, who also saw a strong effort from their goaltender, Will Crothers. The Eagles are now winners of five straight, while the Crimson suffer their second straight setback.
Mercyhurst returns to familiar territory, while Sacred Heart has its up and downs, and Fairfield pulls its colletive hair out after an unusual sweep by American International. Jim Connelly reports.
Providence College’s Jon DiSalvatore had a major objective entering this season — to become more of an impact player. He also had a desire coming into Saturday night’s game at Northeastern to quiet the Matthews Arena faithful — better known as the “Dog House.” Mission completed. On a career night, DiSalvatore scored four goals, including … Read more
In a league known for developing young talent, it’s the goaltenders who stand out this season in the early going. Jim Connelly IDs the underclass powers in net, and congratulates a certain Canisius head coach.
There’s not a struggling hockey team in the country that won’t take an ugly win — even if you’re defending national champion Boston College. Thanks to a three-goal effort by sophomore Tony Voce, including two of the shorthanded variety, BC survived against a pesky but sloppy Merrimack team, 6-4 Thursday night in front of a … Read more
Another game, another tie for these two teams. The teams traded third-period goals, and the goalies put on a show to each remain unbeaten.
Holy Cross forward Glen Crane will miss the remainder of the season after being diagnosed with a recurrence of Hodgkin’s Disease. The second-year freshman missed the entire second semester last season after being diagnosed with the cancer, but underwent chemotherapy that was believed to have put the disease into remission. Last season, Crane played in … Read more
Many in hockey will tell you that defense wins games. Friday night, though, it was a defense-man that won the game for the Terriers. Terrier blueliner Chris Dyment broke a 3-3 tie early in the third period by scoring a highlight-reel goal, as Boston University remained undefeated (4-0-0, 2-0-0 Hockey East) knocking off crosstown rival … Read more
Holy Cross salutes an ailing teammate; Quinnipiac gets some exposure; Sacred Heart loses its cool; and Iona and Bentley storm out of the gates — by different standards. Jim Connelly covers the MAAC.
Quinnipiac repeated in its own tournament last weekend, but the Iona Gaels will present themselves for a rematch of the MAAC season opener. Elsewhere, Bentley suffers from its indiscretions, and the fans speak up. Jim Connelly reports.
Patience truly was a virtue for Northeastern on Friday night. Despite holding a lopsided advantage in shots and territory, Northeastern trailed Mercyhurst most of the first half of Friday’s game. But thanks to a revitalized power play and a never-quit offense, the Huskies rallied for the final four goals en route to a 5-2 win … Read more
The MAAC’s nonconference beginning is less than fans, players and coaches might have hoped for; also, the Scholarship Question raises its head again. Jim Connelly reports.
Rensselaer spotted Boston University a 6-1 lead halfway through the third period, rallied for four late goals, including two of the shorthanded variety, but fell an inch short as the Terriers outlasted the Engineers, hanging on in a 6-5 season-opening shootout.
Blaise MacDonald returned to his hometown over the summer to coach the UMass-Lowell Riverhawks. In an ironic twist of fate, his first game was against his old team — the Niagara Purple Eagles. The Riverhawks, led by a offensive defense, gave him his first win at Lowell.
The MAAC has experienced a mixed bag in its early action, but Jim Connellysays not to worry. Also: a rundown and analysis of the league’s preseason all-conference squad.
One of the most successful programs in the MAAC’s brief history faces a challenge this year, as graduation has hit Rand Pecknold’s Quinnipiac Braves hard.
Since the 1999 MAAC championship, it’s all been pretty much downhill for Holy Cross. Paul Pearl hopes to change that with the help of his top seven scorers from last season, all of whoom return to bolster the Crusaders’ hopes.