Jim ConnellyThe Worldwide Leader in Sports – the self-proclaimed title given to ESPN – has done a lot to help grow the NCAA men’s ice hockey championship over the years. Now, though, it seems like “that network” is doing everything to hurt this tournament when interest in the event is at an all-time high. Back in … Read more
In the year of the little guy, the smallest of them all has punched its ticket to the Frozen Four. Little Union College, with an enrollment of right around 2,200 and no scholarships for their student-athletes, came out of the East Regional on top with a 4-2 victory over another upstart club, Massachusetts-Lowell, in front … Read more
Fans of the Massachsetts-Lowell River Hawks carry around a red circular cardboard cutout with the word “EASY” to resemble the Staples Easy Button. And while the No. 3 seed River Hawks advanced to the final of the NCAA East Regional on Friday, nothing about the win was easy. Lowell blew a three-goal third period lead, … Read more
Everyone knows hockey players love to watch hockey on television. So it may seem ironic that on a critically important night where outcomes of various other college hockey games – most of them televised – would affect Michigan State’s NCAA future, that many players chose not to watch any hockey. Michigan State was eliminated from … Read more
Everyone knows hockey players love to watch hockey on television. So it may seem ironic that on a critically important night where outcomes of various other college hockey games – most of them televised – would affect Michigan State’s NCAA future, that many players chose not to watch any hockey. Michigan State was eliminated from … Read more
Yes, Boston College won yet another Hockey East title (third straight!) and Boston University and Maine will be in the tournament. But it is Massachusetts-Lowell that really feels like it is ready for its second life. That leads the three things we learned this weekend. 1. A second life sometimes feels better than the first The … Read more
Yes, Boston College won yet another Hockey East title (third straight!) and Boston University and Maine will be in the tournament. But it is Massachusetts-Lowell that really feels like it is ready for its second life. That leads the three things we learned this weekend. 1. A second life sometimes feels better than the first The … Read more
It was legendary NBA head coach Pat Riley who is credited with coining the term “three-peat.” On Saturday night, it was Boston College that achieved it. For the first time in the 28-year history of the Hockey East tournament, a team has captured three straight titles after BC defeated a pesky Maine team 4-1 in … Read more
I maintained my one-game lead last week, which means Dave will need a minor miracle if he wants to win. Man, the driver’s seat feels nice. Jim last week: 7-4-0 Dave last week: 7-4-0 Jim’s record-to-date: 123-75-17 Dave’s record-to-date: 122-76-17 Hockey East Semifinals No. 7 Providence vs. No. 1 Boston College (Fri, 5 p.m., TD Garden) Jim’s … Read more
I maintained my one-game lead last week, which means Dave will need a minor miracle if he wants to win. Man, the driver’s seat feels nice. Jim last week: 7-4-0 Dave last week: 7-4-0 Jim’s record-to-date: 123-75-17 Dave’s record-to-date: 122-76-17 Hockey East Semifinals No. 7 Providence vs. No. 1 Boston College (Fri, 5 p.m., TD Garden) Jim’s … Read more
The Hockey East season is down to three games that will decide the league playoff champion. Jim Connelly has a preview and a look at his selections for league awards in This Week in Hockey East.
One round of the Hockey East tournament is in the books. And while three series needed three games to decide the outcome, only one provided an upset (that would be Providence becoming the first-ever No. 7 seed to advance). That said, plenty to learn from this first round of Hockey East tournament play. 1. Goaltenders … Read more
One round of the Hockey East tournament is in the books. And while three series needed three games to decide the outcome, only one provided an upset (that would be Providence becoming the first-ever No. 7 seed to advance). That said, plenty to learn from this first round of Hockey East tournament play. 1. Goaltenders … Read more
Providence made Hockey East tournament history on Sunday afternoon, beating Massachusetts-Lowell, 1-0, in the third game of a best-of-three quarterfinal series to become the first No. 7 seed to advance in the 28-year history of the conference. Providence overcame an emotional 3-2 overtime loss in Friday night’s game two and put forth a stifling defensive … Read more
The No. 1 Boston College Eagles became the first Hockey East team to punch their ticket to the TD Garden and the Hockey East semifinal with a 3-2 victory over Massachusetts on Saturday night to sweep the best-of-three series. The victory, while enjoyable for the Eagles, was seen as one of controversy for the Minutemen, … Read more
It was hardly the easiest test, but the top-seeded Boston College Eagles passed their first exam of the postseason with a hard-fought, 2-1 victory over No. 8 seed Massachusetts Friday, giving the Eagles a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three Hockey East quarterfinal series at Kelley Rink. The BC offense was limited to just 18 shots … Read more
Dave has his rally cap on. Let’s see if he has enough to complete the comeback! Jim last week: 7-2-0 Dave last week: 8-1-0 Jim’s record-to-date: 116-71-17 Dave’s record-to-date: 115-72-17 This week, we’ll pick all three games as if they are played. If a game three isn’t played, that pick doesn’t count. (All series Friday, … Read more
Dave has his rally cap on. Let’s see if he has enough to complete the comeback! Jim last week: 7-2-0 Dave last week: 8-1-0 Jim’s record-to-date: 116-71-17 Dave’s record-to-date: 115-72-17 This week, we’ll pick all three games as if they are played. If a game three isn’t played, that pick doesn’t count. (All series Friday, … Read more
Eight teams remain as we bid a fond adieu to Vermont and Northeastern. And as we take our first look forward into the Hockey East playoffs, there are some teams that enter on highs, some on lows and some somewhere in between. Here is a look at each. On highs: Heaven isn’t high enough Really, … Read more
Eight teams remain as we bid a fond adieu to Vermont and Northeastern. And as we take our first look forward into the Hockey East playoffs, there are some teams that enter on highs, some on lows and some somewhere in between. Here is a look at each. On highs: Heaven isn’t high enough Really, … Read more