Archive of USCHO’s blog content
This is the last weekend of “light” action before going full throttle into the second half of the season, which sees only three nonconference games in the last six weekends of play. Before I get ahead of myself with conference action, let’s get past this final weekend of nonconference tilts. Last weekend, I went 2-2-0 … Read more
After a long hiatus for the holidays, the NCHA is back for a full slate of games this weekend. It’ll be interesting to see if teams like Wisconsin-Eau Claire and St. Norbert, both ranked in the top 10 nationally, have any holiday rust to shake off from the long break. Can they keep their momentum … Read more
No. 12 Cornell at No. 11 Denver Joe: The Big Red have been scoring pretty consistently with 20 goals in the past five games, but none against teams with as strong a defense as Denver anchored by sophomore goalie Juho Oklinuora, who has been playing well of late. Denver sweeps. Tyler: Joe’s right in that … Read more
Neither Dave nor I did very well last week with so many unexpected outcomes in holiday tournaments. Fortunately, Dave was three games worse than I was, helping me cut his lead in picks in half. Jim last week: 8-6-1 Dave last week: 5-9-1 Jim’s record-to-date: 61-39-10 Dave’s record-to-date: 64-36-10 Friday, Jan. 4 Yale at Boston College Jim’s pick: As much as … Read more
Last week: 6-11-1 Overall: 48-52-20 Every ECAC team with the exception of Brown is back in action this weekend, which is also the final weekend of non-conference play for many of the league’s teams. Each game is at 7 p.m. unless noted. For those in the New England area, both of Quinnipiac’s games this weekend … Read more
Last Week: 8-4 On the Season: 69-36-19 (.633) This Week’s Picks: Friday, Jan. 4 and Saturday, Jan. 5 RIT at St. Lawrence – Both teams are going to rusty. The Tigers have been off for 23 days, the Saints 20. SLU has lost four straight but hasn’t ever lost to RIT at Appleton. I’d like … Read more
Well, we closed the first half in a neck-and-neck race. Arlan pulled ahead of me by one game in correctly picking a Wisconsin sweep of North Dakota, as he went 13-2-4 (.789) to finish the first half 117-45-19 (.698), while I went 12-3-4 (.736) to finish the first half 116-46-19 (.693). We’ve got a few … Read more
Happy New Year! In this first blog post we’ll take a look at the first half of the season with some surprises and disappointments so far in the 2012-13 season as well as hand out some mid-season All-American recognition. Three surprises 1. Elmira With Greg Fargo leaving to take the Colgate job and former EC … Read more
I’ve been picking this weekend’s games on a day-by-day basis, so here’s a look at the final two games of 2012. Sacred Heart at Rensselaer, 4 p.m. The Engineers are coming off a split at St. Cloud this weekend and return to Troy for their first home game since Dec. 1. They’ll face Sacred Heart, … Read more
With only a handful of holiday-break games remaining for ECAC Hockey, let’s take a look at the league’s winners and losers from the last week. Props … to Quinnipiac and Dartmouth. The Bobcats now boast the nation’s longest unbeaten streak with a 12-game streak, an 11-0-1 tear that culminated with this weekend’s sweep of 12th-ranked … Read more
As teams come back from the Holiday break, some still get to relax a bit more before hitting the ice to resume action. For those programs that got back into play, most games right now are tournaments that showcase some unique matchups that one may not see over the course of the season. Even though … Read more
Three things from Atlantic Hockey play this weekend: A milepost for Robert Morris When Robert Morris makes the NCAA tournament – it may be this season, it may not, but it will happen someday – the program can look back on this past weekend as a big milestone on its way to the top. The … Read more
As we close the books on 2012, let’s look ahead to games or series that will go a long way toward deciding conference pecking orders and the teams likely to get a nod from the NCAA Selection Committee. One could easily compose another such list from games that don’t appear here. For example, Clarkson entertains … Read more
Impressive wins for Michigan Tech and Minnesota Wow. No. 4 Minnesota routed No. 1 Boston College 8-1 in the weekend’s marquee matchup on Sunday night in what many billed as a preview of a Frozen Four semifinal. I chuckled a bit when I first read that – UM is tied for fifth place after all … Read more
Bemidji State vs. No. 2 New Hampshire Joe: Bemidji State was too sloppy with the puck, negating a strong first period and squandering a 2-0 lead in a 4-3 loss to UMass in the tournament opener. The Beavers cannot afford that against a top-tier team. Wildcats win in schools’ first-ever meeting. Tyler: It’s hard to … Read more
Two slumping Hockey East teams earned tournament titles (and a third will play for a title tonight), which leads me to ask: can winning your holiday tournament serve as a springboard to the second half? 1. Maine, Vermont win titles, hope to earn confidence Holiday tournaments are strange creatures. Your team generally is coming off … Read more
Let me say this first, before anything else: Congratulations to the Michigan Tech Huskies on their impressive 2012 Great Lakes Invitational title. I know I should be sad for the CCHA, the league that had three teams in this tournament’s field, but I am delighted that former Michigan assistant Mel Pearson and his staff brought … Read more
Bemidji State vs. Massachusetts, Ledyard Bank Classic, Sunday Joe: Bemidji State, 2-1-1 in its last four games, takes on UMass (5-9-2) which is 1-4 in its last five games and has only four players in double figures in points, led by junior Braden Gracel with 13 (seven goals). The other semifinal pits host No. 2 … Read more
How did I miss the Niagara-Bowling Green game tonight? Too much eggnog, I reckon. The game has begun and the Falcons are up 1-0 already. I’d pick them to win regardless, but I’m willing to put this one in the “L” column for my personal picks for the lateness of its arrival. And apologies to … Read more
Air Force, No. 1 Boston College at No. 4 Minnesota, Mariucci Classic, Saturday and Sunday Joe: No. 1 and Hockey East-leading Boston College (11-2-1) will get head coach Jerry York his all-time wins mark against Alabama-Huntsville (3-14-1) on Dec. 29, taking pressure off the Eagles to focus on the real task at hand; beating the … Read more