Jim ConnellyWith the annual Beanpot tournament looming just three days away, there may have been a little concern among the Boston College faithful that the newly-minted top ranked Eagles would overlook Friday’s matchup a Massachusetts squad that entered the game seven game below .500. That concern, though, was erased from the outset as Boston College dominated … Read more
As I sit here surrounded by feet upon feet of snow, lack power and heat and am ready for the groundhog’s prediction of an early spring to come true, here are some random musings about Hockey East: • The Massachusetts-Lowell River Hawks, who have been cannon fodder for this column this year, are seemingly playing … Read more
Very interesting weekend that just passed in Hockey East as the results of the games shuffled the Hockey East standings a bit with just four weekends remaining. The marquis series of the weekend didn’t disappoint. Boston University went up to Orono and walked away with three of four points against Maine, despite two nailbitter games … Read more
Very interesting weekend that just passed in Hockey East as the results of the games shuffled the Hockey East standings a bit with just four weekends remaining. The marquis series of the weekend didn’t disappoint. Boston University went up to Orono and walked away with three of four points against Maine, despite two nailbitter games … Read more
Dave and I only picked one game differently last week (UMass vs. Vermont on Saturday) and I got it right. Let the lead expand. Dave last week: 5-3-1 Jim last week: 6-2-1 Dave’s record-to-date: 63-27-19 (.655) Jim’s record-to-date: 75-21-17 (.739) Here are this week’s picks: Friday, January 28 Vermont at Merrimack Jim’s pick: Vermont has played well … Read more
Dave and I only picked one game differently last week (UMass vs. Vermont on Saturday) and I got it right. Let the lead expand. Dave last week: 5-3-1 Jim last week: 6-2-1 Dave’s record-to-date: 63-27-19 (.655) Jim’s record-to-date: 75-21-17 (.739) Here are this week’s picks: Friday, January 28 Vermont at Merrimack Jim’s pick: Vermont has played well … Read more
Warning: before you begin to read this blog post, know that it might sound a bit elitist. And it should. Hockey East is home to the last three national champions. In the last 14 seasons, a Hockey East team has been in the NCAA title game in all but one season (we all remember the … Read more
Warning: before you begin to read this blog post, know that it might sound a bit elitist. And it should. Hockey East is home to the last three national champions. In the last 14 seasons, a Hockey East team has been in the NCAA title game in all but one season (we all remember the … Read more
The No. 3 Boston College Eagles used three power-play goals, including a third period tally with the man advantage that put the Eagles ahead to stay, to stave off an upset bid and earn a 5-3 win over last-place Massachusetts-Lowell Saturday night at Kelley Rink. “That’s the best three-win team I’ve seen since I’ve been … Read more
Two weekends ago, the Maine Black Bears walked into Merrimack a confident team. They were returning two key players — Jeff Dimmen and Will O’Neill — from injury and were ready to tackle the league schedule down the stretch. That Black Bears team left Lawler Arena dejected and shaking its collective heads after losing, 7-1, … Read more
Heading into last weekend’s series against Northeastern, Vermont’s struggles offensively could be linked to a number of things. The most notable, though, was the Cats power play. It hadn’t scored yet with the man advantage in 2011 and entered the series scoring at a 12 percent clip, ranked 53rd of 58 teams in the country. … Read more
Heading into last weekend’s series against Northeastern, Vermont’s struggles offensively could be linked to a number of things. The most notable, though, was the Cats power play. It hadn’t scored yet with the man advantage in 2011 and entered the series scoring at a 12 percent clip, ranked 53rd of 58 teams in the country. … Read more
Just when you thought it was time to write Maine’s swan song, they responded with a vengeance. The Black Bears, a week after one of their ugliest losses of the season, a 7-1 drubbing at the hands of Merrimack, earned two home wins this weekend, eking out an overtime win over Providence on Friday before … Read more
Just when you thought it was time to write Maine’s swan song, they responded with a vengeance. The Black Bears, a week after one of their ugliest losses of the season, a 7-1 drubbing at the hands of Merrimack, earned two home wins this weekend, eking out an overtime win over Providence on Friday before … Read more
As snow continues to pour down on the Boston area, yours truly is stuck inside his home. Which got me to thinking that home isn’t the worst place in the world to be. That’s especially true for Hockey East teams come playoff time. Only four of the eight teams that will make the playoffs can … Read more
As snow continues to pour down on the Boston area, yours truly is stuck inside his home. Which got me to thinking that home isn’t the worst place in the world to be. That’s especially true for Hockey East teams come playoff time. Only four of the eight teams that will make the playoffs can … Read more
The Providence Friars faced somewhat of a litmus test on Friday night when they traveled to Boston College to face the third ranked Eagles. Providence exceeded expectations of many in the first half of the season, posting a 7-6-5 mark despite being picked dead last in preseason polls. Unfortunately for the Friars, Friday proved this … Read more
Dave remains in the witness protection program and now trails me in both the wins column and in winning percentage. Going to take a second-half rally (that and a return to society) for him to be the winner this year. Dave last week: Did not pick Jim last week: 4-2-1 Dave’s record-to-date: 49-21-18 (.659) Jim’s … Read more
Dave remains in the witness protection program and now trails me in both the wins column and in winning percentage. Going to take a second-half rally (that and a return to society) for him to be the winner this year. Dave last week: Did not pick Jim last week: 4-2-1 Dave’s record-to-date: 49-21-18 (.659) Jim’s … Read more
The attention paid to this year’s Merrimack team has been so great that coach Mark Dennehy admits his friends are sick of reading about it. “We’ve got a lot of attention because we’re kind of the darlings right now,” Dennehy said. The headlines, though, haven’t slowed down the Warriors, who began the second half of … Read more