Paula C. WestonTwo goals a minute apart in the middle of the first set off a seven-goal night for Michigan State as the unranked Spartans upset No. 11 Miami, 7-4, to open this weekend’s series. “We scored,” said MSU head coach Rick Comley. “The puck went in. They’re a threat, really, to take over at any time, … Read more
It’s the third week in January, which means that something’s stirring in the world of college hockey, something that moves people to speculate, to connive, to second-guess, to hope and dream, even to forget about the more immediate prize of a conference championship. I’m talking about a favorable PairWise Ranking, something that indicates that — … Read more
As the second half of the season begins to simmer and the nature of the league’s real parity begins to emerge, I found the reactions to last weekend’s games especially interesting. My favorite quote isn’t from a player or coach, but from an impassioned sports writer at Western Michigan University’s student paper. Here is some … Read more
As the second half of the season begins to simmer and the nature of the league’s real parity begins to emerge, I found the reactions to last weekend’s games especially interesting. My favorite quote isn’t from a player or coach, but from an impassioned sports writer at Western Michigan University’s student paper. Here is some … Read more
Given the state of college hockey this season, perhaps I should be grateful for any week I pick that’s over .500. Last week: 5-3-2 Season to date: 78-45-21 No. 8 Notre Dame remains in first place in the CCHA by a point because of a split with No. 20 Alaska and No. 7 Michigan’s sweep … Read more
Given the state of college hockey this season, perhaps I should be grateful for any week I pick that’s over .500. Last week: 5-3-2 Season to date: 78-45-21 No. 8 Notre Dame remains in first place in the CCHA by a point because of a split with No. 20 Alaska and No. 7 Michigan’s sweep … Read more
Nothing like a weekend slightly above .500. Given the nature of the CCHA, my success rate from last week may be as good as it gets for me from here on out. Last week: 5-4-1 (.550) Season to date: 73-42-19 (.616) Here are my picks for games this week. There’s a full slate of CCHA … Read more
Nothing like a weekend slightly above .500. Given the nature of the CCHA, my success rate from last week may be as good as it gets for me from here on out. Last week: 5-4-1 (.550) Season to date: 73-42-19 (.616) Here are my picks for games this week. There’s a full slate of CCHA … Read more
At the Great Lakes Invitational, I ran into John Markell for the first time since he was replaced as Ohio State’s head coach. I’ve known John for a long time; he became head coach when I began as USCHO’s CCHA columnist (known as a “correspondent” back in 1996). As I watched his career wax and … Read more
The new year is here and I already feel as though I’m behind. With Mott’s semester ending Dec. 22, the very quick holiday break – and delightful stay at Hacienda Weston in frigid (no kidding) Florida – and the quick return to classes at MCC, there have been a few things that I’ve missed in … Read more
The new year is here and I already feel as though I’m behind. With Mott’s semester ending Dec. 22, the very quick holiday break – and delightful stay at Hacienda Weston in frigid (no kidding) Florida – and the quick return to classes at MCC, there have been a few things that I’ve missed in … Read more
Now that was a weekend of CCHA hockey. Two intense rivalries, four definitive series. Ohio State Arguably the biggest story of the weekend in D-I hockey, period. The Buckeyes swept the RedHawks for the first time since 2004, and in doing so became the first team to shut out Miami since Feb. 27, 2010, when … Read more
Now that was a weekend of CCHA hockey. Two intense rivalries, four definitive series. Ohio State Arguably the biggest story of the weekend in D-I hockey, period. The Buckeyes swept the RedHawks for the first time since 2004, and in doing so became the first team to shut out Miami since Feb. 27, 2010, when … Read more
When Torey Krug scored his third goal of the night at 14:09 in the third period for his first career hat trick — the first hat trick of his life — he gave Michigan State a 3-1 lead over the Wolverines that had all the makings of sure thing. Then Michigan’s Luke Moffatt scored at … Read more
Monday’s blog chronicled how the CCHA teams fared during holiday play. For those of you wondering, the Lakers swept their way through Canada, winning all five games they played against Canadian university squads. Their most recent victories were a 3-0 win over Ryerson (Jan. 5) and a 3-1 win over York (Jan. 6). How did … Read more
Monday’s blog chronicled how the CCHA teams fared during holiday play. For those of you wondering, the Lakers swept their way through Canada, winning all five games they played against Canadian university squads. Their most recent victories were a 3-0 win over Ryerson (Jan. 5) and a 3-1 win over York (Jan. 6). How did … Read more
It’s a familiar refrain. You can fill in the coach or player following in a press conference following a midseason tournament win. “Winning this year’s Fantastico Tournament will help us in the second half of the season. Our goal is the league championship, and this is a step in that direction.” But is it? After … Read more
Forget resolutions. Chronicling what a team should resolve to do or not to do is a popular thing for writers to present at this time of year, but I just don’t care. We’ve watched the CCHA and college hockey for half a season, and by now every fan’s an expert in what needs to be … Read more
Forget resolutions. Chronicling what a team should resolve to do or not to do is a popular thing for writers to present at this time of year, but I just don’t care. We’ve watched the CCHA and college hockey for half a season, and by now every fan’s an expert in what needs to be … Read more
Happy 2011! If you had a break from work, I hope it was restful. If you celebrated anything, I hope that was enjoyable. Two teams in the CCHA are entering the first week of 2011 and the second half of the season with something to celebrate, and one of them blows my little mind. Congratulations … Read more