Paula C. WestonOf Gays and Girls Last week, the college hockey world lost a friend and pioneer. His youth — 21 years — doesn’t diminish what he did with one brave act. Brendan Burke, son of Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Brian Burke and student assistant for the Miami hockey program, died Friday, Feb. 5, in a … Read more
Thank You, Punxsutawney Fraud You’ve been had. We’ve all been had. For reasons clear only to The Weather Channel and the rest of the Media-Greeting Card-Big Pharma complex that controls these United States, Groundhog Day has gained alarming momentum in recent years, spawning a new niche plush toy industry and celebrations that include trademark-infringing Whac-A-Mole … Read more
Early in the third period with Michigan State leading Michigan 3-0, this game looked to be all over but the shouting. Then there was shouting. And shoving. A 10-man dance in the corner. Then two Wolverine power-play goals to make this just what fans expected it to be: emotional, entertaining, close. In the end, the … Read more
Kickin’ It Old School After a few columns of a more somber variety lately, I think that ending January with a more gazette-style offering is a good idea. It’s a chatty one. Grab your coffee. I Love the Buckeyes! That seems to be the subtext that some readers gleaned from last week’s column, when I … Read more
With the score tied and a minute to go in regulation, this one looked to be heading to overtime — but Ohio State’s Patrick Schafer had other plans. Taking the puck from teammate C.J. Severyn behind the Michigan State net and wrapping the puck around to the left post, Schafer forced a goal between the … Read more
Sometimes, one player is the difference-maker in a game. Tonight, it was Luke Glendening, who netted the only two goals scored in a contest where very little real estate was available, as Michigan downed Ferris State 2-0. Both of Glendening’s goals came in the second period, both even strength, both scored in similar fashion — … Read more
Fighting to Death Quick: What’s the roughest neighborhood in the CCHA? If you answered, “Bowling Green,” or, “Big Rapids,” you’d be right — at least as far as last weekend’s action is concerned. In Northern Michigan’s 6-0 win over BG last Friday, the teams combined for 99 penalty minutes, in large part because of a … Read more
It took four games, but the Spartans finally got the better of the Fighting Irish. With Andrew Rowe’s lone shootout goal, Michigan State took the extra point as Notre Dame and MSU skated to a 4-4 tie in their final regular-season meeting this year. For the Irish and the Spartans, tonight’s game was very nearly … Read more
Sweeps Week Robert Morris. Robert Morris! Robert Morris!! Then there’s Ferris State and Ohio State. We’ll get to them later. Last weekend, the then-No. 1 Miami RedHawks played a home-and-home series with the unranked Robert Morris Colonials and lost both games. In their first action in nearly a month, the RedHawks dropped the opening game … Read more
Frankly, there is no way to do this game justice. You just had to be there. “It was crazy, wasn’t it?” asked Michigan State Spartans’ coach Rick Comley. Yes, it was. “Everything possible happened,” said Comley, “that’s for sure.” For sure. Everything except for a penalty shot, some three-on-three hockey and a streaker at center … Read more
It was a game in which neither team provided many opponent opportunities, but Michigan State’s special teams proved to be the difference-makers, as MSU outlasted Lake Superior State, 4-2, in the first game of this weekend series. “They play the game properly, and they’re dangerous, and they put the puck on the net from everywhere,” … Read more
Happy Golden New Year! What a week this has been for hockey in the United States, and what a way to kick off 2010. Congratulations to Team USA for a thrilling overtime gold-medal victory over Canada Jan. 5. What a game. What a tournament. What a bright glimpse into the future of American hockey. Congratulations … Read more
In two games, Michigan State made it look easy. With a 6-1 win over Rensselaer, the Spartans outscored opponents 16-2 en route to their 12th Great Lakes Invitational Tournament championship, their first since 2006. “Obviously, I thought we played well both nights,” said MSU coach Rick Comley. “Broke down a couple of times but overall … Read more
When Engineer Chase Polacek gave Rensselaer a 2-0 lead at the end of one by scoring on two of RPI’s three first-period shots, the conclusion of this game seemed to be inevitable. While a 4-3 victory was Rensselaer’s final destination, their journey was anything but routine. The Wolverines outshot the Engineers 46-13, came to within … Read more
For a team that has averaged just over two goals per game in its last 11 outings, a hat trick and a power-play goal by stay-at-home defenseman were welcome gifts. Corey Tropp scored three in a row from the end of the second through the middle of the third to propel the Michigan State Spartans … Read more
Baby, It’s Cold Outside For the months of October and November and for the first few weeks of December this year, Flint resembled Columbus in climate. As much as I wanted to leave Ohio for Michigan — nothing personal, Buckeye State — I knew one week into November 2008 that I had been spoiled by … Read more
I Had That Feeling of Self-Pity I can’t take this anymore. Three correct picks two weeks ago. Four last week. I picked Michigan State to sweep in the College Hockey Showcase. I picked Ohio State to be swept in North Dakota. At least I picked Michigan to split. Is it too much to ask for … Read more
After scoring their first goal in over 108 minutes of hockey and keeping the Spartans at bay for another 26 minutes, the Minnesota Golden Gophers found themselves having to respond quickly to salvage their College Hockey Showcase weekend. Fortunately for Minnesota, Mike Carman stayed put at the end of a shift change late in the … Read more
In their first test against a ranked opponent this season, the Wisconsin Badgers issued a definitive statement. With two first period goals from defenseman Brendan Smith and three from the line of Jordy Murray, Derek Stepan and Michael Davies, the No. 15 Badgers cruised to a 7-3 win over the eighth ranked Michigan State Spartans … Read more
Thankful? You Betcha! As Wisconsin and Minnesota will be visiting the Wolverine State this week, that opening seems entirely appropriate. Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! The holiday shortens the week, which shortens the column, so it seems the perfect time to take a look back on the early going this season and express gratitude for some of … Read more