Archive of USCHO’s blog content
Before the season started, Boston University looked on paper like the prototypical young team that would take a lump or two in the early going but be a far better team in the second half. So much for that idea. The Terriers are undefeated (4-0-1), atop Hockey East, and ranked sixth in the country. “We’re … Read more
Two streaks ended for Air Force last weekend, when the Falcons hosted the American International Yellow Jackets. On Friday, AIC game back from a two-goal deficit to win 5-3. It was the first time in 21 attempts that the Yellow Jackets had defeated the Falcons. Whatever adjustments made by Air Force Frank Serratore and his … Read more
It’s still early and numbers can mislead or outright lie, but here are 15 things that strike me as pretty scary about the CCHA this week, in no particular order. 1. Ladies and Gentlemen, one of the hottest teams in the country, the Western Michigan Broncos! After losing to Canisius to open the season Oct. … Read more
Few members of the college hockey world’s west side saw this one coming. Maine’s quick start, North Dakota goaltender Brad Eidsness’ quicker exit, and by Monday morning, UND’s fall from the No. 2 spot in the polls make up a hot topic coming out of Week 3. UND’s undisciplined play was a major factor in … Read more
Sweeps and splits. There were a few of each during the weekend past. While Minnesota, Minnesota-Duluth, and Wisconsin all handed their opponents a pair of trouncings, there was some bread sliced in half elsewhere. That may point to parity, or confirm that for the road team especially, half a loaf is better than a few … Read more
Other than couple of conference matchups (with some surprising results), this was a weekend for Atlantic Hockey teams to travel to ECAC barns. AHA teams did not fair well, going 0-6-1. Bentley earned a come-from-behind 3-3 tie at Clarkson on Saturday, scoring three times in the final period. Niagara also erased a 3 goal deficit … Read more
It was an interesting weekend in Hockey East with national number one Boston College falling to rival Notre Dame, Northeastern and Lowell earning their first wins and Boston University picking up two more ‘W’s in league playing with victories over Massachusetts and Providence. But among that, what grabbed my attention and likely that of many … Read more
Three CCHA series, and a clearer picture of the league emerges already. Perhaps the single thing to take away from it? Miami really is that good. Thriving The RedHawks didn’t just sweep the visiting Wildcats; Miami crushed Northern, 13-1. As you probably know by now, junior defenseman Will Weber was injured in Saturday’s 9-1 game … Read more
This past weekend was a bit surprising. I’m not tallying the picks until Friday, but I have a feeling they were pretty bad. Still, such is life in the WCHA … Wisconsin/Denver – See above comment. I really wasn’t expecting the Pioneers to take three points from this series. – That being said, this weekend will end … Read more
On the Fly Thursday, October 21 Quebec Trois-Rivieres 3 at Cornell 6 (exhib) Friday, October 22 RIT 1 at Rensselaer 4 RPI saw its consecutive penalty-kills streak end at 22, but five successful kills out of six – and 24 saves by junior Allen York – helped propel the Engineers past the Tigers. Freshman Brock … Read more
Last week Theresa: 10-5-2 Last week Tyler: 0-0-0 Friday, October 22 and Saturday, October 23 Denver vs. Wisconsin: Theresa: Denver needs at least a point here; not only for crucial league points, but to prove they can play. My gut says Wisconsin sweep, but ultimately I’m going to call a split – UW Friday, DU … Read more
Last Week: 6-3-2 (.636) On the Season: 6-3-2 (.636) This Week’s Picks: Friday October 22 and Saturday, October 23 Bentley at Clarkson – The Falcons head to the North Country in search of their first win. I don’t think they’ll get it, but the games should be close. Clarkson 4, Bentley 3; Clarkson 3, Bentley … Read more
Congratulations, Chris Bergeron, on your first collegiate win. Couldn’t you have done that on Friday rather than Saturday? Last week, I picked the Falcons to split on the road against Clarkson, and BGSU gifted me with my first wrong-way split of the season. I also picked Western Michigan to sweep, so woot woot for me. … Read more
Last week 6-2-1 (.722) Season record 6-2-1 Friday, October 22 RIT at Rensselaer – 7 p.m. Eastern The Cinderella Stripes out of Rochester haven’t led quite as charmed a life so far this year. At 0-2-1, three tight games against St. Cloud, Nebraska-Omaha and UMass-Lowell (the 4-4 tie) have left the Tigers wondering how to … Read more
Well, in my first week of picks, I went 8-4 (.667). Not bad. Really, who would have picked North Dakota to sweep Minnesota in Minnesota? Who could imagine Bemidji would knock off top-ranked Merchyhurst? All in all, I think I did pretty well. Let’s take a look at what’s on tap for this week. Friday-Saturday, … Read more
Hockey East Picks – October 22-23 Last weekend’s plethora of ties made the early-season picks records a bit skewed: Dave’s record-to-date: 5-1-5 (.682) Jim’s record-to-date: 4-2-5 (.591) Here are this week’s picks: Friday, October 22 New Hampshire at Northeastern Jim’s pick: Troubles continue for the Huskies UNH 4, NU 2 Dave’s pick: I like the Huskies … Read more
Just as Nebraska-Omaha made a splash in its WCHA debut by sweeping Minnesota at Mariucci Arena, Bemidji State is still looking for its first WCHA victory in team history and it’s not going to be easy. Call it Baptism by fire. The Beavers open league play against three of the WCHA top teams in North … Read more
Players of the Week* *These are my selections; ECAC Hockey’s can be found here. Player of the Week: Chase Polacek, Rensselaer Everyone knows Polacek by now… even, at this point, Hockey East. The senior sniper scored the game-tying goal at Northeastern Friday night, then planted the game-winner the following evening against Bentley… before assisting on … Read more
In case you didn’t read last week’s “15 things,” here’s the deal. My midweek blog will pick 15 things that strike me in a given week. Why 15? This is USCHO’s 15th season. What will strike me? I dunno. Given the interesting things we’re seeing in the early going, I will state the obvious about … Read more
It’s been an emotion week in the hockey community in Rochester, NY. On Saturday, the RIT Tigers played in front of their largest crowd ever on home ice, a sellout crowd of 10,556. RIT and Massachusetts-Lowell skated to a 4-4 with the Riverhawks’ Scott Campbell getting the tying goal with just 1.3 seconds to play. … Read more