Two splits, a surprising shutout and a predictable sweep — and two weeks left

Such an interesting weekend. It will be an interesting two weeks leading up to the Big Ten tournament. 1. Wisconsin and Minnesota split, so the Badgers are still in the hunt for a regular-season championship. Minnesota was in first place entering the weekend, three points ahead of second-place Wisconsin. The Badgers beat the Golden Gophers … Read more

Two splits, a surprising shutout and a predictable sweep — and two weeks left

Such an interesting weekend. It will be an interesting two weeks leading up to the Big Ten tournament. 1. Wisconsin and Minnesota split, so the Badgers are still in the hunt for a regular-season championship. Minnesota was in first place entering the weekend, three points ahead of second-place Wisconsin. The Badgers beat the Golden Gophers … Read more

Pickin’ the Big Ten: Feb. 24-25

With three weeks remaining in the regular season, I think both Drew Claussen and I have decent chances of breaking even with our picks. Drew’s chances are better than mine as I tend to fade at the end. Last week Drew: 5-1-0 (.833) Paula: 5-1-0 (.833) Season Drew: 71-44-14 (.605) Paula: 72-43-14 (.612) This week … Read more

Pickin' the Big Ten: Feb. 24-25

With three weeks remaining in the regular season, I think both Drew Claussen and I have decent chances of breaking even with our picks. Drew’s chances are better than mine as I tend to fade at the end. Last week Drew: 5-1-0 (.833) Paula: 5-1-0 (.833) Season Drew: 71-44-14 (.605) Paula: 72-43-14 (.612) This week … Read more

Big Ten: Frey stops 33 as Ohio State edges Michigan State

Less than a week after surrendering six power-play goals in a 6-5 loss to league-leading Minnesota, Ohio State allowed a goal on the first Michigan State power play of the night, but the Buckeyes penalty kill came through when it mattered most, holding steady through the last 1:46 in regulation when the Spartans had a … Read more

Big Ten: Frey stops 33 as Ohio State edges Michigan State

Less than a week after surrendering six power-play goals in a 6-5 loss to league-leading Minnesota, Ohio State allowed a goal on the first Michigan State power play of the night, but the Buckeyes penalty kill came through when it mattered most, holding steady through the last 1:46 in regulation when the Spartans had a … Read more

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Pickin’ the Big Ten: Feb. 17-18

Last weekend was okay for Drew Claussen. For me, not so much. Last week Drew: 2-3-1 (.467) Paula: 1-4-1 (.250) Season Drew: 66-43-14 (.593) Paula: 67-42-14 (.602) This week As it will for the remainder of the regular season, the schedule has three Friday-Saturday series. All times are local. Michigan at No. 20 Wisconsin Drew: … Read more

Pickin' the Big Ten: Feb. 17-18

Last weekend was okay for Drew Claussen. For me, not so much. Last week Drew: 2-3-1 (.467) Paula: 1-4-1 (.250) Season Drew: 66-43-14 (.593) Paula: 67-42-14 (.602) This week As it will for the remainder of the regular season, the schedule has three Friday-Saturday series. All times are local. Michigan at No. 20 Wisconsin Drew: … Read more

Big Ten looking for some February magic as regular-season grind continues

February is a strange month for Big Ten hockey. Aside from Valentine’s Day – a perilous holiday about which I’ve written much in the past – February brings the last of regular-season play for all other leagues but one, the NCHC, while B1G teams soldier on until mid-March. The WCHA has already crowned its regular-season … Read more

Power plays and new lows

What a weekend of Big Ten hockey. There are many more than three takeaways, but here are my immediate three. 1. With eight games remaining, it’s way to early to write off Penn State. The Nittany Lions shook off four straight losses and snapped a five-game winless streak with a road sweep of Wisconsin, the … Read more

Power plays and new lows

What a weekend of Big Ten hockey. There are many more than three takeaways, but here are my immediate three. 1. With eight games remaining, it’s way to early to write off Penn State. The Nittany Lions shook off four straight losses and snapped a five-game winless streak with a road sweep of Wisconsin, the … Read more

Pickin’ the Big Ten: Feb. 10-11

It’s all B1G hockey all the time from here on out. So far, Drew Claussen and I are doing okay. Last week Drew: 4-2-0 (.667) Paula: 6-0-0 (1.000) Season Drew: 64-40-13 (.603) Paula: 66-38-13 (.620) This week All series are Friday-Saturday and five of the six games are televised. Michigan State vs. Michigan Drew: If … Read more

Pickin' the Big Ten: Feb. 10-11

It’s all B1G hockey all the time from here on out. So far, Drew Claussen and I are doing okay. Last week Drew: 4-2-0 (.667) Paula: 6-0-0 (1.000) Season Drew: 64-40-13 (.603) Paula: 66-38-13 (.620) This week All series are Friday-Saturday and five of the six games are televised. Michigan State vs. Michigan Drew: If … Read more

My truly unforgettable friend, Jeff Sauer

This is the second time in a year that I’ve written about the death of a coaching legend, and this is the fifth time in a week that I’ve attempted to say what I’m saying now. Writing about Ron Mason last summer was difficult. Writing about Jeff Sauer feels impossible. Every time I’ve begun this … Read more