Paula C. WestonAfter a week of nonconference play, it’s difficult to say who’s at the top of the CCHA heap, but because Michigan State won the Ice Breaker Invitational, the Spartans get the honors. The Spartans beat Boston University 3-1 and Wisconsin 2-1 to take the first tournament of the season, and the first tournament title of … Read more
According to the Hobey Baker selection committee, a Hobey Baker Award winner should “exhibit strength of character” and possess “oustanding skills in all aspects of the game.” According to Michigan head coach Red Berenson, this year’s Hobey Baker winner is “an excellent person” who “shares his success with his teammates.” And this year’s winner is … Read more
It’s been 50 years since Dartmouth and Michigan met in the first NCAA Championship game. Fifty years since Spif Kerivan, member of the Dartmouth squad, lost his front teeth. “My memories of the game are somewhat personal,” he says. “I also remember the game as a controversial game in terms of some of the calls,” … Read more
When North Dakota, Colorado College, Boston University and Michigan converged on Milwaukee for this years championship tournament, carloads and planeloads of Sioux, Tigers, Terriers and Wolverines came along to cheer. So did the Falcons, the Black Bears, the Golden Gophers, the Spartans, the Wildcats and the Lakers. The NCAA Championship Tournament attracts hockey fans from … Read more
Randy Robitaille, sophomore center for the Miami Redskins, signed a contract with the Boston Bruins on Monday. Robitaille will play for the Bruins on Thursday night; financial terms of the contract were not disclosed. “It’s better than first-round money,” says Miami head coach Mark Mazzoleni. “This is a great situation for me, not only because … Read more
CCHA Playoffs: Championships CCHA Playoffs: Championships by Paula C. Weston The states of Michigan and Ohio are equally represented in this year’s CCHA Championship Tournament. It’s no surprise that Michigan, Michigan State, and Miami advanced to the semifinals, but Bowling Green had to win two on the road to earn the right to travel north … Read more
CCHA Playoffs: Quarterfinals CCHA Playoffs: Quarterfinals by Paula C. Weston You’ve heard the cliches: It’s all even in the playoffs. Everyone’s at zero-zero. Anything can happen. Equality? A level playing field? If you’re a fan of the CCHA, you know these phrases mean nothing — and everything. Two of the four CCHA playoff series are … Read more
CCHA PREVIEW: Feb. 28-Mar. 2, 1997 CCHA Preview: Feb. 28-Mar. 2, 1997 by Paula C. Weston For weeks, the top four teams in the CCHA have known that they’ll be hosting the first round of playoffs. Last week decided which teams among the bottom four would advance to post-season play. All that remains to be … Read more
CCHA PREVIEW: Feb. 21-23, 1997 CCHA Preview: Feb. 21-23, 1997 by Paula C. Weston With just two weeks of regular-season hockey left in the CCHA, several teams are scrambling to make the playoffs. Others are working for NCAA recognition. The No. 1 Michigan Wolverines held firm to first place last week, beating the Notre Dame … Read more
One thing can be said for certain about hockey in Yost Ice Arena: there’s a whole lot of sucking going on. Don’t take this writer’s word for it; ask the fans. Or don’t — they’ll tell you anyway. Trevor Prior is in net for Miami. The press box phone rings. On cue, the crowd chants. … Read more
CCHA PREVIEW: Feb. 13-16, 1997 CCHA Preview: Feb. 13-16, 1997 by Paula C. Weston With just a few weeks left in the CCHA regular season, the question of which team will finish eighth is as interesting as which will finish first. "With only four games to go," says Michigan State head coach Ron Mason, "every … Read more
CCHA PREVIEW: Feb. 7-8, 1997 CCHA Preview: Feb. 7-8, 1997 by Paula C. Weston It’s crunch time in the CCHA, and each game this weekend will be an exciting game to watch. Michigan held on to first place, easily defeating Ohio State and Bowling Green last week. With 34 points in 19 games, the Wolverines … Read more
CCHA PREVIEW: Jan. 30-Feb. 1, 1997 CCHA Preview: Jan. 30-Feb. 1, 1997 by Paula C. Weston The University of Michigan Wolverines showed why they’re ranked first in the nation last weekend. They put some distance between themselves and the rest of the CCHA, taking two games from Miami at Yost Arena. With 30 points in … Read more
CCHA PREVIEW: Jan. 24-28, 1997 CCHA Preview: Jan. 24-28, 1997 by Paula C. Weston Things are thick at the top in the CCHA. Three teams — Michigan, Miami and Lake Superior — are tied for first, each with 26 points. Last weekend, Michigan gained three points and Miami none, setting up a potentially spectacular weekend … Read more
Scott Borek has definite ideas, ideas on how he’d like to see his players perceived by residents of Sault Ste. Marie, Mich. “I guess I would really like to see us have a family, wholesome image. Hockey players have to fight for that. They’re seen as wild — the kind of guys who work hard … Read more
CCHA PREVIEW: Jan. 17-21, 1997 CCHA Preview: Jan. 17-21, 1997 by Paula C. Weston Who will make the CCHA playoffs? Most agree that Michigan, Miami, Michigan State and Lake Superior will be there. After all, each of these teams is ranked among the top ten in the country. Miami had its way with Ohio State … Read more
CCHA PREVIEW: Jan. 10-14, 1997 CCHA Preview: Jan. 10-14, 1997 by Paula C. Weston Last week’s play produced some shuffling at the top of the standings in the CCHA. After taking two from Ohio State, Lake Superior State — currently ninth in the Around the Rinks/USCHO poll — moved into a tie for first place … Read more
CCHA PREVIEW: Dec. 4-7, 1996 CCHA Preview: Dec. 4-7, 1996 by Paula C. Weston The CCHA begins the second half of the season quietly, with only two two-game conference series and three teams facing competition from conference-leading non-CCHA teams. It’s no surprise that Michigan won its ninth straight Great Lakes Invitational Tournament. We know what … Read more
CCHA Preview: Dec. 27-31, 1996 by Paula C. Weston Each team in the CCHA except for the University of Alaska-Fairbanks Nanooks is competing in non-conference tournament play during the holiday break. The University of Michigan is defending the Great Lakes Invitational title for the eighth straight year, while Michigan State, Lake Superior State and Michigan … Read more
University of Alaska-Fairbanks hockey coach Dave Laurion sighs. “The first five games of the year, soon after Erik got hurt, we weren’t very good. All of our returning players who knew Erik didn’t play well. Right away, we’re oh-and-seven at home against good teams, when we’re not playing our best hockey.” He pauses. In his … Read more