Paula C. WestonWith goals by Jon Jankus and Dustin Penner and in front of Jimmy Howard’s 40-save performance, the Maine Black Bears downed the Boston College Eagles 2-1, earning the right to play Denver in Saturday’s NCAA championship game. The Black Bears struggled to keep their composure against an Eagle team that outshot them 41-18, and often … Read more
After two periods, it’s a 1-1 tie between Maine and Boston College in the second Frozen Four semifinal Thursday. Jon Jankus had the first-period goal for Maine, Ryan Shannon tied it up for BC early in the second, and Maine goaltender Jimmy Howard put on a show of his own. Jon Jankus shoots on Matti … Read more
There will not be a three-peat. Minnesota-Duluth knocked off the two-time national champion Golden Gophers of Minnesota, 3-1, to advance to the 2004 NCAA Frozen Four. It was the fifth win this season by the Bulldogs over their cross-state rival. Luke Stauffacher had the game-winning goal at 1:37 in the third. Isaac Reichmuth, the Midwest … Read more
Two-time defending champion Minnesota came from behind to beat Notre Dame, 5-2, in the opening game of the NCAA Midwest Regional. Thomas Vanek had two goals — including the game winner — and an assist to lead the Golden Gophers in scoring. Matt Koalska had a goal and assist, Chris Harrington had two key helpers, … Read more
The Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs delivered an old-fashioned shellacking to the Michigan State Spartans, winning 5-0 in the second Midwest Regional contest to advance to Sunday’s regional final against Minnesota. After his first NCAA appearance as head coach, UMD’s Scott Sandelin said the win was all about the Bulldog players. “It’s more exciting for the program and … Read more
It’s former coach vs. his old team captain in Colorado Springs.
After a logjam of a season, the CCHA put five teams into the NCAAs.
After persevering through two come-from-behind overtime Super Six contests, the Ohio State Buckeyes beat the Michigan Wolverines, 4-2, for the CCHA championship. It’s the second postseason league title for the Buckeyes, their first since 1972. “I thought it was a fantastic effort on our players’ part, especially the third game in three nights, and a … Read more
They are the Super Six team that refuses to die. After coming from behind three times against second-seeded Miami, No. 4 seed Ohio State won 4-3 in overtime to advance to the CCHA championship game. J.B. Bittner had the game-winning goal just 23 seconds into OT. Paul Caponigri and Rod Pelley each had a goal … Read more
ND’s Gill, OSU’s Whiting go way back.
Scoring three power-play goals against the nation’s third-best penalty kill, the Ohio State Buckeyes battled back from behind three times to beat the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, 6-5, in overtime to advance to Friday’s late CCHA semifinal game against intrastate rival Miami. “It was a pretty good college hockey game from a spectator’s standpoint, I … Read more
The No. 7-seeded Northern Michigan Wildcats stunned the No. 3 Michigan State Spartans with a 2-1 win in the first CCHA Super Six quarterfinal game. Kevin Gardner had the game-winning goal and an assist, and Tuomas Tarkki, who had just one decision during the regular season, made 35 saves for his third straight playoff win. … Read more
This year’s CCHA Super Six features traditional powerhouses (Michigan, Michigan State), more recent success stories (Miami, Ohio State) and up-and-comers (Notre Dame, Northern Michigan). Paula C. Weston rounds up this weekend’s action at Joe Louis Arena.
Dave Steckel had two goals to cap a four-point weekend as the Buckeyes beat the Falcons, 5-2, to advance to the CCHA Super Six. “I thought our guys came to play tonight,” said Ohio State head coach John Markell. “I thought Bowling Green came to play. Look at the scores — it’s tough to put … Read more
The Buckeyes led 3-0 after 20 minutes, but two early third-period Falcon goals kept this one close as Ohio State squeaked by Bowling Green State, 3-2, in the opening game of their first-round CCHA playoff series. “We weren’t paying attention to detail, everything we worked on last week,” said OSU head coach John Markell. “I … Read more
Same As It Ever Was Congratulations to the Michigan Wolverines, winners of this year’s CCHA regular-season title. Michigan has won outright or shared in eight regular-season titles, including three of the last four. This isn’t news. What is news is that the Wolverines had to get a little help from some strange friends south of … Read more
Miami’s regular-season title hopes evaporated when Ohio State scored at 18:49 in the third period to lift the Buckeyes 5-4 over the RedHawks in the season finale at Value City Arena. “My initial thought is disappointment,” said Miami head coach Enrico Blasi. “We knew with 10 minutes left in the game that Michigan State had … Read more
Chris Michael’s overtime power-play goal lifted the RedHawks over the Buckeyes, 4-3, keeping Miami in the hunt for the regular-season CCHA title. With the Wolverines and Spartans tying in East Lansing, the RedHawks are just one point behind Michigan in league play with one game remaining in the season, but Miami head coach Enrico Blasi … Read more
It’s not only Michigan-Michigan State going in the CCHA this weekend; it’s Miami against Ohio State in a battle of two likely NCAA-bound teams that could still decide the regular-season title. Also, Paula C. Weston finishes up with reflections on the year that was.
Lock your door and throw away the key, because the playoffs are approaching — meaning Paula C. Weston gets to hand out her year-end awards. Also: an analysis of the possible final standings in the CCHA, and Michigan and Notre Dame square off in the Games of the Week.