Matthew WebbWith finally a full slate of NCHA and MCHA conference games once again on tap, there is little to do other than to cut to the chase and get on with the show. The current version of the NCHA-MIAC Interlock has come to an end for the season, with the NCHA dominating the meetings. Overall, … Read more
Well, finally back from holiday break, though a week later than anticipated. My apologies for my absence last week but a couple unexpected trips to the doctor are never convenient. All is well now, and though it’s been awhile not a whole lot has changed on the national scene. The NCHA still has five teams … Read more
Welcome back for what will be this column’s final incarnation of 2008. As always, let’s take a look at where NCHA and MCHA teams stand on the national scene, though not much changed this week. Superior remains the highest ranked Western team, holding onto its No.2 position nationally and three first place votes after yet … Read more
This Week in the NCHA/MCHA Returning from a two week hiatus, it’s easy to spot a bit of a shakeup for NCHA and MCHA teams on the national scene. The big mover has been University of Wisconsin-Superior. After defeating previous No. 1 St. Norbert two weeks ago, the Yellowjackets stand at 4-0 in the NCHA … Read more
Everyone in the MCHA now has had a week of league play in and the results aren’t too surprising. Adrian, Finlandia and Marian are all 2-0, though something must give this week as the Lions travel to face the Bulldogs. MSOE and Crookston are both 1-1 following a split in Crookston, while Lawrence, Northland and … Read more
As we are already two weeks into the season, here’s a brief rundown of the big picture as it currently stands. The USCHO.com preseason poll was dotted with teams from the NCHA and MCHA. To no one’s surprise, defending national champion St. Norbert checks in as the nation’s top team. Three NCHA teams in Wisconsin … Read more
There are only so many ways to talk about the competitiveness of the NCHA. Besides, by now it is good for nothing other than stating the obvious. In light of such, let’s cut to the chase and check out the teams that will soon be entering Division III’s biggest king-of-the-mountain contest. I will point out … Read more
As many may recall, last season’s MCHA preview focused on the myriad of changes the league had gone through in the previous year. Though the state of the MCHA has solidified somewhat between then and now, it is still evolving at a more rapid pace than any other league in the nation. As certain questions … Read more
St. Norbert has won at least a share of the NCHA title in 10 of the past 12 seasons. It has also won the NCHA Playoffs and Peters Cup five out of the last six years. Having accomplished both again this season, and having defeated St. Thomas 2-1 in overtime to advance to their fifth … Read more
Whoever said young teams are not supposed to win close games must have been a pessimist. Whether he was or not, one thing is for sure and it’s that St. Norbert is making him look like a fool. The Green Knights did it again Saturday night, as a goal by senior captain Ryan Petersen 8:28 … Read more
And then there were two. Adrian claimed the MCHA playoff championship, and the Harris Cup, for the first time ever last weekend with two hard-fought wins over MSOE and Finlandia, which leaves St. Norbert and Stout as the only teams with games remaining as the Green Knights defeated St. Scholastica 1-0 and Stout dropped Eau … Read more
And then there were eight. The NCHA and MCHA playoff fields have both been narrowed to four teams and by the end of this weekend the NCHA will be down to two while the MCHA will have crowed its Harris Cup Champion. Last weekend’s results produced a little bit of a shakeup in the second … Read more
Everyone is getting ramped up for perhaps the most exciting week of the season. Not only does opening round NCHA and MCHA playoff action begin this weekend, but we also have our first look at the NCAA West Region Rankings. They are: 1. St. Norbert 2. St. Thomas 3. River Falls 4. Adrian 5. Stout … Read more
Time flies when you’re having fun apparently, because it’s hard to believe the NCHA and MCHA are down to their final weekends of the regular season. NCHA travel partners will square off for the last time while the MCHA has a full eight game weekend on tap. Checking in once again on the national scene, … Read more
What a beautiful mess we live in. With two weeks of conference action remaining, the NCHA, on the heels of a few surprising results last weekend, has turned into a complete and utter pig pile. With everything going haywire in that league, at least MCHA has sorted itself out — to an extent. Though home … Read more
Finally, the month we have all been waiting for. It’s nothing but conference action from here on out for both the NCHA and MCHA, and both are figuring not to have much of anything figured out until the final weekend of the season. The NCHA finished up with the MIAC Interlock portion of its schedule … Read more
Save for two games, from now on both leagues exclusively are partaking in conference play from this point on. It’s safe to say we’ve hit the homestretch. The NCHA all but wrapped up its Interlock schedule last weekend and currently holds a 29-19-8 record against the MIAC. While not as impressive as last season’s dominating … Read more
There is no doubt many of us are working to drop some of the weight we put on over the holidays. The same can be said for the NCHA and MCHA teams as they gear up for the second half of the season. In fact, many have already gotten action in since we last visited, … Read more
By now we’re used to the NCHA standings turning into a disaster zone about this point of the season, but for our enjoyment the MCHA is also shaping up to be a mess. Before we take a look at each, and also finally take the promised looks at Adrian and Concordia-WI, let’s see where everyone … Read more
MCHA league play kicked off last weekend and two game sweeps were the top order of business. While Northland was idle, Adrian made its MCHA debut with a home sweep of Lawrence, while MSOE accomplished the same over Crookston. Concordia’s opening weekend wasn’t quite as successful as they dropped two at home to Finlandia. Marian … Read more