Matthew WebbThough it has been almost a month since this column last appeared, little has changed in terms of the MCHA and NCHA when it comes to the national scene. Led by St. Norbert at No. 3, the NCHA still boasts four teams in the top ten of the USCHO.com Division III poll. The Green Knights … Read more
NCHA/MCHA Mid-term Report Card Last weekend marked the end of league play for both leagues until January and brings us to about the midpoint of the season for most teams. With that being the case, let’s take a look at how each league has played itself out so far, and at how well each team … Read more
Though final exams loom for players in both leagues, the semester isn’t quite over yet and most teams, as well as myself, have one more weekend of games to focus on before being fully able to shift their attention to hitting the books. NCHA teams continue their impressive starts to the season, though the league … Read more
The Thankgiving weekend saw a little bit of everything for teams from the two leagues. Four NCHA teams took part in conference play, two teams from each league hit the ice for holiday tournaments, while the rest stayed home enjoying leftovers all weekend. For the first time this season, a Western team grabs the top … Read more
Despite being held under five goals for only the second time this season, as well as not getting a shot in net in the final ten minutes, second-ranked St. Norbert (8-0-1) withstood a late charge from feisty St. Scholastica (4-2-0) and escaped with a 3-2 victory. It looked like St. Norbert would get on the … Read more
After an impressive opening weekend against the MIAC, the NCHA followed up with an even more dominating performance last weekend. Refusing to take the boot off the throat of the MIAC, NCHA teams went a combined 13-3 on the weekend, running their overall Interlock record to 25-6-1. On the tails of the dominant weekend, seven … Read more
Sparked by three power play goals from forward Marc Belanger, second-ranked and still undefeated St. Norbert (7-0-1) dealt sixth-ranked UW-Superior (4-1-0) their first loss of the season by a score of 5-2. The first big opportunity of the game came just under seven minutes into the opening period, as Green Knight forward Jeff Hazelwood sprung … Read more
Despite a significant shot disadvantage, ninth-ranked Wisconsin-Stevens Point was able to rely on some timely scoring and 41 saves from sophomore goalie Marcus Paulson to hold on and defeat No. 15 Bethel 4-3. The Pointers struck first as at the midway point of the first period forward Taylor Guay was able to beat the Bethel … Read more
With every NCHA team finally hitting the ice last weekend some of the preseason questions surrounding the league are slowly beginning to be answered. The first of which is: Is the league really as deep as many are making it out to be? As mentioned last week, the NCHA has dominated the MIAC for the … Read more
Despite being outshot 57-25 and being thoroughly dominated for most of the game, a hat trick from Joe Long and 52 saves by freshman Matt Wanvig paved the way for an opportunistic Hamline team as they defeated Wisconsin-Stevens Point 7-5 at K.B. Willett Arena. In a game in which they never trailed Hamline would waste … Read more
If last weekend was any indication what type of season we are in for, don’t change the channel. While not a full slate of NCHA and MCHA teams were in action last weekend, the handful of teams who did play did their best to raise eyebrows across the nation. On Friday, the first shocker of … Read more
Entering his first season as coach of the Vikings, Mike Szkodzinski is more than excited about the prospects of the Lawrence program. “It’s an opportunity to create an atmosphere based on great pride and character,” he said. “This is a school with great academics and an athletic director who is fully supportive. This is something … Read more
The Lions enter their third season in the MCHA hoping to continue the progress they have made in their first two. Following up a fourth place finish in their inaugural season with a third place finish last year, Finlandia returns every single player from last season which is reason enough to instill hope in head … Read more
Commonly overshadowed by the NCHA and MIAC, the MCHA is a conference looking to fully establish itself not only in the West Region, but nationally. In terms of recognition, Milwaukee School of Engineering carried the league on its back last season. Finishing with a 21-5-1 record, including victories over Lake Forest and Babson and a … Read more
Quite frankly, there isn’t much to suggest the two-time defending MCHA Champions won’t make it three in a row this season. Whether it’s in net, on defense or at forward, the Raiders are loaded. A major difference this season, however, is that between the two-time defending league champion status and the NCAA talk swirling about … Read more
As Steve Fabiili enters his second season as head coach of the Lumberjacks, it’s clear his program has nowhere to go but up. The Lumberjacks have posted a record of 17-106-4 over the past five seasons, and have been firmly planted in the MCHA cellar. Northland’s attempt to forget the past and focus on the … Read more
After taking over an undermanned program three years ago, head coach Jasen Wise has been able to turn the Sabres into one of the most formidable teams in the MCHA. With no losses to graduation following last season, it’s reasonable to assume Marian may continue their climb up the MCHA ladder. Leading the cast of … Read more
The Golden Eagles are only two seasons removed from back-to-back MCHA tournament championships. After falling on harder times over the past to years, Minnesota-Crookston will attempt to get back to the top with vastly revamped lineup. The Golden Eagles will welcome 21 new faces to this season’s lineup. Good news, however, is that three of … Read more
Only a 2-2 tie in the final game of the season kept the Pointers from locking up home ice in the playoffs last year. For Stevens Point to improve on what ultimately ended up being a fifth place finish, they must find a way to be more consistent. For example, last season the Pointers posted … Read more
The Blue Devils surprised the league last season by knocking off Wis.-River Falls in the first round of the NCHA playoffs. Though they dropped their semifinal game at St. Norbert, there is still plenty of optimism surrounding this year’s club. With the return of sophomore Matt Koenig and junior Mike Stone in goal, head coach … Read more