Pickin' the Big Ten: Jan. 13-14

There are two B1G series this weekend and Ohio State hosts Arizona State for two games. First, though, a look at how Drew Claussen and I have picked the Big Ten so far this season. Last week Drew: 4-0-0 (1.000) Paula: 2-2-0 (.500) Season Drew: 51-32-10 (.602) Paula: 52-31-10 (.613) Kudos to Drew for picking … Read more

Pickin' the Big Ten: Jan. 6-7

It’s a light week for B1G teams. Before we get to that, we look at how Drew Claussen and I are doing in picking the league. Last week Drew: 5-2-0 (.714) Paula: 6-1-0 (.857) Season Drew: 47-32-10 (.584) Paula: 50-29-10 (.618) In case you’re wondering, Drew and I picked the entire field for the Great … Read more

Minnesota uses strong effort, plus some timely bounces, to start second half with Mariucci Classic title

After recording his first collegiate hat trick in Minnesota’s 5-1 win over Mercyhurst in the Mariucci Classic last Friday, Brent Gates, Jr., said, “I feel like if you’re trying to work hard and do the right things, bounces happen from time to time.” Maybe the sophomore forward wasn’t intending to be philosophical, but what a … Read more

Three things, no surprises

Four B1G teams played the last weekend of 2016. 1. Minnesota captured its first Mariucci Classic since 2012. The Golden Gophers beat Mercyhurst 5-1 and Massachusetts 4-1 to take their own holiday tournament — and they should have. Entering the weekend, Minnesota was the strongest team in the tourney’s field and the only team under … Read more

Three things, no surprises

Four B1G teams played the last weekend of 2016. 1. Minnesota captured its first Mariucci Classic since 2012. The Golden Gophers beat Mercyhurst 5-1 and Massachusetts 4-1 to take their own holiday tournament — and they should have. Entering the weekend, Minnesota was the strongest team in the tourney’s field and the only team under … Read more

Pickin’ the Big Ten: Dec. 29-31

Happy New Year! This weekend brings the Great Lakes Invitational, the Mariucci Classic and a single game between Miami and Ohio State. First, how Drew Claussen and I are doing so far. Season Drew: 42-30-10 (.573) Paula: 44-28-10 (.598) Bring it, 2017! This week The Great Lakes Invitational is played for the last time in … Read more

Pickin' the Big Ten: Dec. 29-31

Happy New Year! This weekend brings the Great Lakes Invitational, the Mariucci Classic and a single game between Miami and Ohio State. First, how Drew Claussen and I are doing so far. Season Drew: 42-30-10 (.573) Paula: 44-28-10 (.598) Bring it, 2017! This week The Great Lakes Invitational is played for the last time in … Read more

Pickin’ the Big Ten: Dec. 18

There is one game this weekend, a Sunday matinee between Northeastern and Michigan State. First, a look at how Drew Claussen and I have done through most of the first half of the season. Last week Drew: 2-2-0 (.500) Paula: 3-1-0 (.750) Season Drew: 42-29-10 (.580) Paula: 44-27-10 (.605) This week This single game is … Read more

Pickin' the Big Ten: Dec. 18

There is one game this weekend, a Sunday matinee between Northeastern and Michigan State. First, a look at how Drew Claussen and I have done through most of the first half of the season. Last week Drew: 2-2-0 (.500) Paula: 3-1-0 (.750) Season Drew: 42-29-10 (.580) Paula: 44-27-10 (.605) This week This single game is … Read more

Big Ten: Lavigne's 34 saves the difference as Michigan tops Wisconsin

For the second straight night, the Michigan Wolverines played the type of game they hadn’t intended to play, one filled with penalties and one in which they were outshot badly by their opponent. Unlike Friday’s 7-4 loss to Wisconsin, though, Michigan prevailed with a 4-1 win. Leading 2-0 after the first, Michigan had five penalties … Read more

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Big Ten: Minnesota piles on 44 shots in 4-2 win over Michigan State

After losing 4-2 to No. 11 Minnesota, Michigan State coach Tom Anastos summed up the result in one sentence: “It’s hard to shoot when you don’t have the puck.” The Golden Gophers outshot the Spartans 44-14, a figure made perhaps a bit more lopsided by their five scoreless power plays, and Anastos had a lot … Read more

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Pickin' the Big Ten: Dec. 9-10

Last week was a little rough for one of us. Here’s a hint: It wasn’t Drew Claussen. Last week Drew: 3-2-1 (.583) Paula: 1-4-1 (.250) Season Drew: 40-27-10 (.584) Paula: 41-26-10 (.597) This week There are two B1G series this week and just one more game next week before the holiday break. This week, it’s … Read more

Three things from a B1G opening weekend

1. Penn State really is that good. The Nittany Lions completed their 10-game home stand by sweeping Michigan in the opening weekend of Big Ten play, 6-1 Thursday and 5-1 Friday. Penn State has one loss this season, and the wins against the Wolverines extended the Nittany Lions’ win streak to 11 games, their unbeaten … Read more