Scott BiggarHobart’s (lack of) Power Play Last weekend wasn’t quite what Hobart coach Mark Taylor was hoping for. The Statesmen hit the road for games at Utica and Manhattanville, and Hobart was swept. “The games weren’t what we wanted outcome-wise,” said Taylor. “We wanted to come out of there with some points, and didn’t. So we … Read more
Alabama-Huntsville coach Doug Ross (424-238-38) celebrated coaching his 700th career game over 24 seasons behind the Chargers bench with a 4-1 victory over RIT. His team weathered early penalty trouble before taking control of the scoreboard in the first period. David Nimmo scored a hat trick to pace the Chargers to the victory. “Alabama-Huntsville wasn’t … Read more
Alabama-Huntsville showcased its speed advantage of RIT to build a 3-0 lead by the midway point of tonight’s game. The third line of forwards for the Chargers netted all three goals, with Todd Bentley tallying two of them. A spat of penalties by Alabama-Huntsville late in the third period led to a thrilling end, but … Read more
Several teams around the ECAC West are flooded with new players this season. As seen in my season preview last week, the coaches are cautiously optimistic about the season but realize that getting the freshmen up to speed may take a while. If the start that Elmira and Utica have gotten off to is any … Read more
St. Lawrence played a steady game, patiently creating opportunities throughout, and paced to a 6-3 victory over RIT Saturday. RIT tried to mount a comeback early in the second period, tying the game 3-3, but the Saints reestablished control of the game territorially and controlled play for the remainder of the game. “Patience was the … Read more
When St. Lawrence coach Joe Marsh scheduled a pair of games against Division I independent RIT last spring, he was doing the Tigers a big favor. Not only was he providing the transitioning program two games against a nationally ranked team, but he was one of the few teams willing to travel to RIT’s rink … Read more
Unlike most other leagues within Division III hockey, change has been a constant in the ECAC West over the past decade. Whether it is teams joining or leaving the league, turnover of coaches, or changes in the scheduling of league games, very few aspects of the league have been stable from season to season. Entering … Read more
RIT and Canisius met for the rematch tonight, this time at RIT’s Ritter Arena, following Friday night’s 5-3 RIT win. The Golden Griffins made adjustments between games and played a much tighter checking style of game. The slow-paced game suited Canisius better, as it earned a weekend split with a 2-1 victory. “I’m really glad … Read more
Canisius and RIT renewed their longstanding rivalry tonight after a seven year hiatus. RIT dominated the series when the two teams played in the Division III ECAC West conference, but tonight it was expected that the more experienced Canisius players would win easily. The upstart Tigers had other plans, however, jumping out to a 3-0 … Read more
Utica head coach Gary Heenan resigned Monday to become an assistant coach at Division I Union. Heenan started the Utica program four years ago, and has continually stressed to his players the importance of having goals. His personal career goals included progressing to the Division I coaching ranks, and perhaps into the NHL someday, so … Read more
Two Dynasties As far as bringing home the hardware, there are no other teams in Division III women’s hockey that can compare to either Middlebury or Elmira. Middlebury won the titles in 2000 and 2001 that were held by the AWHCA. Elmira took the first two championships sponsored by the NCAA in 2002 and 2003. … Read more
Gustavus Adolphus clamped a withering defense on the Plattsburgh Cardinals in the consolation game of the NCAA Division III Women’s Tournament. By diving to block shots and forechecking hard, the Gusties limited the Cardinals to only four shots on goal through the first two periods. Gustavus chipped in two goals of its own during that … Read more
Battle of All-Americans and Seniors Elmira and Plattsburgh each had several players selected to the AHCA All-American teams announced at the tournament banquet on Thursday evening. There were three Soaring Eagles selected to the First Team — Edith Racine in goal, defender LeAnne Denman and forward Laura Hurd. Hurd also nabbed the AHCA Player of … Read more
Defending national champion Middlebury used a four goal onslaught in the second period to advance past Gustavus Adolphus in Friday afternoon’s semifinal contest. But the Panthers had to withstand a withering number of shots by the Gusties in the third period to hang on to a 7-3 victory. “We knew they wouldn’t quit in the … Read more
Middlebury has more experience than anyone in hosting the D-III tournament, and that pays off as the college extends its hospitality for the fourth time since 1995.
Both New England College and Manhattanville earned their way into the NCAA tournament in dramatic fashion, knocking off league regular-season leaders on the road on the way to their league championships. For the New England College Pilgrims, the task required defeating host Norwich in overtime in the semifinals and then downing Babson to win the … Read more
In the six years that the Manhattanville Valiants have been in the ECAC West, they have made the climb towards the top several times. Finally, in their second appearance in a league championship game, Manhattanville pushed over the summit tonight and defeated the Utica Pioneers 3-1 to claim their first championship title. “Winning the championship … Read more
In their previous meetings during the regular season, Manhattanville won two very close one-goal games against RIT, with the Tigers taking the Valiants to overtime in their last game. However, the game tonight between these two teams in the ECAC West Semifinals wasn’t nearly as close. Manhattanville scored three unanswered goals during the second period … Read more
The more than 3,400 fans that packed The Aud in Utica were treated to an intense and thrilling game for the second semifinal contest of the ECAC West playoffs between the host Utica Pioneers and the Elmira Soaring Eagles. Utica held single goal leads at three different times during regulation, but each time Elmira answered … Read more
The road to the ECAC West regular season title wasn’t easy; but Utica prevailed. The Pioneers host the playoffs this weekend.