Jim ConnellyThe darkhorse in the MAAC this season is Iona College. The Gaels, in their first two seasons, have shown signs of brilliance. Two years ago, Ryan Carter, then a freshman, burst onto the MAAC scene to win the scoring title as well as the league’s Offensive MVP. Last year, coach Frank Bretti knew that it … Read more
You might think that a feeling such as winning a championship, especially the inaugural championship in the MAAC hockey league, is something that you never forget. And though that is probably the case, Holy Cross coach Paul Pearl, who led the Crusaders to exactly that berth two seasons ago, probably wishes that the memories of … Read more
How much is goaltending a factor in deciding championships? If it were up to AIC coach Gary Wright, a major factor indeed. That is the one area where his Yellow Jackets will be strong this year. With returning seniors Chance Thede and Ben Brady, AIC will have the most experienced goaltending tandem in the MAAC. … Read more
For the second consecutive year, Rand Pecknold and Quinnipiac University will sit on the bench each night not dressed in their typical purple, white and gold uniforms, but rather wearing the biggest bullseye money can buy. J.C. WELLS Without a doubt, Quinnipiac is the MAAC’s preseason favorite — possibly the biggest favorite in all of … Read more
Fairfield coach Jim Hunt has two challenges in front of him. The first is obvious: take a program that has amassed just four wins in the last two seasons and make it respectable. The second challenge, though, may be the tougher – to survive at Fairfield University. With Hunt its fourth coach in five years, … Read more
As one of the oldest men’s ice hockey programs in the country, the United States Military Academy, known better in hockey circles as Army, will watch tradition meet youth in its first season as a member of the MAAC. About to enter its 98th season of men’s ice hockey, Army is not really a stranger … Read more
It may be the start of a new hockey season, but there must be one thing fresh on the mind of Canisius College head coach Brian Cavanaugh — his early exit from last year’s MAAC playoffs. A 4-3 loss to eventual runner-up Iona brought a sad close to perhaps the finest season in Canisius hockey … Read more
The Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference, about to enter its third season of play this fall, has stirred the Division I hockey pot by forcing its members to drop all games against Findlay, an “emerging” Division I program from College Hockey America, from all non-conference schedules.
In a move that could redefine the NCAA Men’s Ice Hockey Championship, the NCAA Men’s Ice Hockey Committee approved an automatic bid for the MAAC, effective for this year’s championships. The move came during the Committee’s annual meetings, which continue through Friday.
The National Hockey League’s entry draft has never meant much to college hockey, at least in recent years. As a fan, you could usually tune in late in the first round and find out about one, maybe two college players that had already been drafted. And the top overall pick, the man who claims national … Read more
The NCAA has announced rule changes that will take effect this upcoming season, following a recent meeting of the Men’s Ice Hockey Rules Committee. The most notable changes deal with instant replay and the way interference penalties are called, according to a report published by the NCAA. Video replay, which is only used in regular- … Read more
The hazy off-season coaching carousel picture in men’s ice hockey became a little more clear today when Fairfield University officially announced the resignation of head hockey coach Mark Dennehy, confirming a story that originally appeared on U.S. College Hockey Online. After coaching the Stags for only one season, Dennehy leaves to become assistant coach at … Read more
The opportunity remains for the Eagles to remove the “1949” title — referring to the school’s last national championship — thanks to a dramatic third-period comeback on the way to a 4-2 victory over St. Lawrence on Thursday night. That’s the good news for the Eagles. The bad news for the Eagles is their next … Read more
The MAAC presented its postseason awards on Wednesday night at a banquet signifying the start of the league championships here. Headlining the winners was forward Shawn Mansoff from regular-season champion Quinnipiac College, who was selected as the Chase Manhattan Bank Offensive Player of the Year. Joining him in receiving major awards were Sean Weaver of … Read more
Playoff Preview With the second season in MAAC history in the books, it’s time to reflect a little on the season that was. And what a season it was! When you look at the standings, and see six of ten teams above .500, immediately you think of one word — parity. Now maybe that’s not … Read more
Note To Readers: My apologies to those of you expecting to read my weekly column and find a rundown of all the action upcoming this week. Unfortunately, due to illness, this week’s column focuses on only one series. Look for an extensive MAAC playoff preview next week, including quotes from the coaches not mentioned here … Read more
Do You Believe in Miracles? Yes! How about that…twenty years to the day after the U.S. Olympic team upset the Soviets on their way to the Gold Medal in the 1980 Olympics, the Canisius College Ice Griffs pulled off a miracle of their own, knocking off NCAA tournament contender Niagara University, 2-1, in front of … Read more
Race for Home Ice Gets Breathing Room Just as we told you right here last week in the MAAC Games of the Week, the two games played in Storrs, Conn., between UConn and Canisius had a MAJOR impact on the MAAC standings. No one, including myself, could have predicted that the Ice Griffs would sweep … Read more
Boston College and Boston University may have been the two schools to celebrate wins last Monday night in the Beanpot semifinals, but that didn’t keep Northeastern and Harvard from celebrations of their own. The two schools that fell to defeat on the ice made history off it, as each had a representative inducted to the … Read more
Playoff Picture Becomes Clearer, Muddier Just when you thought the MAAC standings were beginning to get clearer, guess again. Similar to last season, the top of the standings is clearing up, as Quinnipiac is very close to sewing up its second straight regular-season championship. After that, though, it’s pretty much anybody’s guess. As mentioned right … Read more