Larry O'ConnorWith No. 2 St. Norbert’s vice-grip lock on the top spot, the Northern Collegiate Hockey Association may be mistakenly viewed as a one-horse race. The ongoing battles for the second through seventh spots continues to make for compelling viewing. The campaign’s roller-coaster ride is perhaps best illustrated by the fact that all seven NCHA teams … Read more
The first-ever Frozen Faceoff outdoor game Saturday left those involved sporting rosy cheeks and beaming smiles as well as lifetime memories. Long after the final whistle in Adrian’s 3-0 victory over Concordia (Wis.), players remained on Michigan Stadium makeshift ice rink while family members and girlfriends snapped photos. Everyone wanted to luxuriate in the outdoor … Read more
The first-ever Frozen Faceoff outdoor game Saturday left those involved sporting rosy cheeks and beaming smiles as well as lifetime memories. Long after the final whistle in Adrian’s 3-0 victory over Concordia (Wis.), players remained on Michigan Stadium makeshift ice rink while family members and girlfriends snapped photos. Everyone wanted to luxuriate in the outdoor … Read more
A pivotal battle for first place in the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference features familiar foes who have a habit of crashing each other’s party. This weekend, No. 6 Gustavus Adolphus faces first-place St. Thomas, a team that upset Gustavus in last season’s MIAC championship game, only to see the Gusties beat the Tommies in the … Read more
With the light schedule due to Thanksgiving, the Irish Seer took last week off, saving his best picks for the leftover turkey carcass. Judging by the dreadful 6-11 season prognostication record, though, one might wonder who is the real turkey. Here is a post-gobbler look at the upcoming slate. Dec. 3-4 Marian vs. Lawrence This … Read more
Unranked University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire plucked two Top-10 teams in a Thanksgiving showcase, which provided more than a feather in its collective hat. The darkhorse Blugolds finished the Hackett Builders Thanksgiving Showcase in Adrian at 2-0 while raising their overall record to 5-4. On Friday, Ross Janecyk scored at 2:15 in overtime to lift UW-Eau … Read more
Unranked University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire plucked two Top-10 teams in a Thanksgiving showcase, which provided more than a feather in its collective hat. The darkhorse Blugolds finished the Hackett Builders Thanksgiving Showcase in Adrian at 2-0 while raising their overall record to 5-4. On Friday, Ross Janecyk scored at 2:15 in overtime to lift UW-Eau … Read more
East meets West in Adrian College’s Hackett Builders Thanksgiving Showcase Friday and Saturday. The second-annual hockey revue at Arrington Ice Arena features three Top-10 ranked teams with No. 5 Hamline, No. 7 Adrian and No. 9 SUNY Geneseo, as well as Wisconsin-Eau Claire. Geneseo takes on Hamline at 3 p.m. Friday, followed by UW-Eau Claire … Read more
In a month, the University of Wisconsin-Stout hockey team has transformed itself from a 1-3 team of fledglings to 7-3 road warriors. The Blue Devils’ latest coup as visitors came in a two-game sweep over No. 9 University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, 4-1 and 5-4, Friday and Saturday in a Northern Collegiate Hockey Association matchup. In … Read more
After a 2-9 start in the prognostication arena, I figure I am a shoo-in for the lead role in a remake of “The Cooler.” For the cinematically challenged, the 2003 film starred William H. Macy as down-and-outer Bernie Lootz, who is sent to gaming tables by his venal casino boss, adroitly played by Alec Baldwin, … Read more
After a 2-9 start in the prognostication arena, I figure I am a shoo-in for the lead role in a remake of “The Cooler.” For the cinematically challenged, the 2003 film starred William H. Macy as down-and-outer Bernie Lootz, who is sent to gaming tables by his venal casino boss, adroitly played by Alec Baldwin, … Read more
Milwaukee School of Engineering players remain grounded, despite getting a sniff of rarefied air with the team’s Top-15 ranking and first place standing. The Raiders pierced the NCAA Division III’s upper tier after a weekend sweep of then No. 15-ranked Marian. The victories in the home-and-home series lifted MSOE (6-0) into first place in the … Read more
In the weekend’s titanic tilt, St. Norbert and University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point showed why they were befitting of their respective No. 3 and No. 10 rankings. The Green Knights swept the two-game set, 3-2 Friday and 2-0 Saturday, to raise their Northern Collegiate Hockey Association account to 4-0 (5-1 overall). The Pointers, whose four-game winning … Read more
Last week, the Irish Seer was a dreadful 1-5, with Adrian’s 7-3 victory over Marian on Friday his lone correct prediction (albeit a few goals off) …. and the missus wants us to spend our 25th wedding anniversary in Las Vegas? Hide the poker chips. Nov. 12-13 St. Norbert at UW-Stevens Point: The is a … Read more
Along with a new coach, the rebuilding Bethel Royals have embarked on a journey this season that will likely to be filled with many highs and lows. After losing their first four games, the Royals already endured the depths often experienced by an upstart team. Then there are turning points, like Thursday’s 4-3 triumph at … Read more
All three respective D-III Western Region conference favorites — Adrian, St. Norbert and Hamline — were upset last weekend, which always makes pundits wonder how they will respond the following week, if not the remaining season. Like a claims adjustor, the first task was to assess the damage: were they substantial losses so seismic in … Read more
With nine freshmen, including a 6-foot-7 behemoth from Sweden, the Saint John’s Johnnies have faith in the future. That belief has been tested in the early-going, as the Johnnies dropped four-straight contests, three of which were decided by a goal. Senior Mike Wallgren had a team-leading two goals and two assists through four games. MIAC … Read more
After finishing three points shy of a MIAC playoff berth last season, the Concordia Cobbers will work on closing deal this time around. That’s because the Cobbers had their fate decided by two goals or less in 14 of 25 contests, which included a league-record five ties. The lack of crucial goals was reflected in … Read more
St. Olaf’s strategy this season appears to be the classic strategy of lie-in-wait and then attack at dusk. Despite the Oles’ projected fifth place finish in the MIAC preseason coaches poll, coach Sean Goldsworthy expects his charges to garner momentum down the stretch and become a playoff contender. The team has qualified for MIAC postseason … Read more
After a dreadful season with only one win to its name, Saint Mary’s Cardinals are imbued with a new sense of optimism. “It’s awesome,” said coach Bill Moore, who enters his third season at the helm. “We have fun going to practice every day. The kids are working their butts off. “It’s a totally different … Read more