Paula C. WestonHere’s a riddle for you. What happens when the winningest coach in college hockey history steps aside, and you lose the best goaltender the CCHA has ever seen? Why, continued success, of course — if the new head coach has a track record like Rick Comley’s. Denial: Not Just A River In Egypt If you’re … Read more
Thanks to key losses — some expected, others not so much — some are expecting Michigan and Michigan State to retreat, making the CCHA a free-for-all. Not so fast, says Paula C. Weston, who runs down the year that will be in her 2002-03 season preview.
What do you do when your team perennially underperforms while your fanbase grows increasingly restless? Hire a dynamic alumnus of your program who, as an assistant coach with another successful program, made four straight trips to the Frozen Four which culminated in a national championship. Good work, Bowling Green. Very good indeed. A former All-American … Read more
There is nothing like a little recognition to make you feel good. So for that, my sincere thanks to Guy Gadowsky. “This is the first time ever that UAF has not been picked by the media to finish dead-last,” said Gadowsky at CCHA media day. “So with the exception of Paula Weston and Eric Olsen, … Read more
In Oxford, Ohio, the first RedHawk (nee Redskin) alumnus to return as head coach is preaching a sermon he’s justifiably perfected during his brief tenure. “I think for us consistency has got to be number one,” said Enrico Blasi. “In this league, you can’t go three to four games without winning. It just puts you … Read more
As the 2002-03 season begins, there are two things you should know about Laker hockey: Frank Anzalone is in charge, and Matt Violin is for real. When Anzalone returned to Lake State, several players found the atmosphere suddenly inhospitable — which was just fine with Anzalone, who did some housecleaning of his own. “I think … Read more
At a school where Touchdown Jesus shines His blessings upon the football faithful, it’s time Notre Dame hockey fans were rewarded for their loyalty as well. And after years of saying that the Irish hockey program is on the verge of arriving, the Notre Dame coaching staff may just be telling the truth this season. … Read more
Frank Anzalone’s long, successful career as a coach has brought him full circle to Lake Superior. But as Paula C. Weston notes, not everyone agrees with his methods.
In the end, it was the kid from North Dakota who ended 22 years of Minnesota’s unrequited pursuit of postseason happiness. At 16:58 in overtime, in St. Paul, in front of a partisan crowd of 19,324 fans, Grant Potulny capitalized on a power play to deliver the 2002 NCAA championship to the Minnesota faithful. Matt … Read more
Minnesota built a 3-0 lead early in the third period, then held off a Michigan rally to reach the NCAA title game. Grant Potulny scored two goals, Jeff Taffe had the eventual winner, and Adam Hauser stopped 27 shots in the win.
“It seems like Michigan goes every year, but the rest of us don’t.” That’s Minnesota head coach Don Lucia on the only repeat team in this year’s Frozen Four. It does seem as though the Wolverines are in the postseason mix yearly, so to those outside the CCHA, Michigan’s appearance in St. Paul may have … Read more
Michigan overcame youth and early-season struggles to reach St. Paul. Paula C. Weston reports on the accomplishments of a maturing squad.
Michigan State’s loss at the West Regional sent Ron Mason out a loser in his last game. But Paula C. Weston says the new MSU AD is able to focus elsewhere — and there’s plenty to see.
Minnesota advanced to the Frozen Four in St. Paul after defeating Colorado College, 4-2, in NCAA West Regional play, but Minnesota head coach Don Lucia said his team’s victory was bittersweet. “I know for me, personally, it was a very difficult game,” he said. “I’m the coach of Minnesota, but you recruit a couple of … Read more
Eight freshmen. Three seniors. One loud, happy home crowd. When Jed Ortmeyer drove home Eric Nystrom’s cross-crease pass at 18:39, the junior forward did more than make the best of a feed few rookies would have the presence of mind to make; he illustrated the reason for Michigan’s success this season. Nystrom, a freshman, notched … Read more
Michigan’s freshmen played like seasoned veterans, accounting for three of four UM goals as the Wolverines defeated the St. Cloud State Huskies in the second NCAA West Regional game, 4-2, in front of nearly 7,000 rabid fans in Yost Arena. Rookies Jason Ryznar, Milan Gajic, and Dwight Helminen tallied for Michigan, as did senior Craig … Read more
Ron Mason’s coaching career came to an end, as his Spartans failed to muster any offense against Colorado College in a 2-0 NCAA tournament first-round defeat.
Michigan got two goals from Jed Ortmeyer, and defeated Michigan State, 3-2, to take the CCHA tournament title, adding it to its regular-season crown.
Two years ago, Notre Dame was out of its depth at the CCHA tournament. Not any more.
The CCHA honored its league award winners at the 2002 CCHA Awards presentation Thursday night in Detroit’s historic Fox Theatre. For the second straight year, Michigan State goaltender Ryan Miller was named the league’s Player of the Year. Alaska-Fairbanks head coach Guy Gadowsky is the 2001-02 Coach of the Year, and Western Michigan’s Pat Dwyer … Read more