Archive of USCHO’s blog content
The first weekend of hockey is in the books, which means it’s time to review the weekend that was. Check back all season long for our observations. Let’s kick it off with three things from the first games of the 2014-2015 season: The Champ Is Here Despite being defending Atlantic Hockey champions, there was plenty … Read more
The last time Union raised a banner at Messa Rink, things didn’t end so well for the Dutchmen. Union lost 4-1 to Merrimack on opening night two seasons ago. It was a little better this time around, as the Dutchmen raised banners for the ECAC regular season title, postseason title, Frozen Four appearance, and national … Read more
Competition tightens up The 28 teams that don’t belong to the Ivy League have played between two and six games apiece, and only two of them still have perfect records. One of those teams, No. 2 Wisconsin looks destined for the top spot in the poll after throttling Ohio State by a 9-0 composite in … Read more
1. Exhibitions mean nothing Minnesota State played Trinity Western on Sunday night and won 12-1. Nebraska Omaha played Northern Alberta on Monday and lost 4-0. What was learned from those preseason games? When the Mavericks played the Mavericks on Friday night in Omaha, the answer was revealed: Not much. Minnesota State was slow out of … Read more
Anyone expected NCHC teams to come flying off the blocks this last weekend and tear into its nonconference opposition will have come away at least a little disappointed. Unless he or she only paid attention on Saturday and Sunday. Better times were had then. Seven of the league’s eight affiliate teams opened their 2014-15 regular … Read more
Are Massachusetts-Lowell and Vermont better than their positions in the coaches’ poll suggested? Conversely, are some of the top teams in the poll headed for tough times this year? And as far as non-league play goes, Hockey East may like to forget this weekend. This leads my three things I learned from the opening weekend … Read more
With the Michigan teams sitting idle this weekend, four teams in the Big Ten each played two games. Here’s how things played out. Minnesota beat Minnesota Duluth 4-3 and defeated RPI 3-0 Wisconsin lost to Alaska 1-0 and was dropped by Alaska Anchorage 4-2. Ohio State took Providence to overtime twice, winning 5-4 on Friday … Read more
There’s one game involving an NCHC team this Sunday in the Icebreaker tournament. Sunday, Oct. 12 Minnesota-Duluth vs Notre Dame Candace: Minnesota-Duluth gave top-ranked Minnesota all it could handle in the first game of the tournament. Maybe playing their home state rival previously will lift the Bulldogs. Minnesota-Duluth 3-2 Matthew: I really didn’t see Rensselear beating … Read more
Both Drew Claussen and I began the season on a high note, each choosing Ferris State for the win over Michigan last week, so we’re each 1-0-0. This week There are two nonconference series and two tournaments. Four Big Ten teams are playing this weekend. IceBreaker Tournament Notre Dame hosts the 18th annual IceBreaker Tournament … Read more
In the last week, our Division I men’s conference columnists have previewed the six leagues and 59 teams for the 2014-15 season.
Well, after one week, Arlan and I are tied. We both went 17-3 (.850), a pretty good start to the year, and no, we didn’t pick the games all the same. Let’s see how we can do this week. Friday, Oct. 10 New Hampshire at RIT Candace: I think RIT keeps up a good start … Read more
Last season: Dan: 155-90-23 (.621) Chris: 162-83-23 (.647) This Week’s Picks: Friday, October 10 and Saturday, October 11 Mercyhurst at Air Force Dan: Now THIS is how you start out a season, with two of the strongest teams in the league going head to head over two straight nights. With the limited amount of on-ice … Read more
Another year beckons and hope springs eternal. Let’s get right to the games. Dave’s record-to-date: 0-0-0 Jim’s record-to-date: 0-0-0 Here are this week’s picks: Friday, Oct. 10 Boston University at Massachusetts Dave’s pick: In one game, the Terriers equal their total number of road wins from all of last year. BU 4, UMass 1 Jim’s pick: A lot … Read more
The first full week of games is finally here! And seeing as how this is my first official blog post on USCHO I’m a bit nervous that Shane is going to humiliate me in this year’s pick ’em standings. I’m bad at predicting things, which is why I don’t gamble. Luckily for me, we’re not … Read more
OK NCHC fans, we’re ready for the kickoff of season two, and that means your USCHO columnists, myself and Matthew Semisch, will once again engage in our season-long picks race. On the line is a friendly wager for a six-pack of craft brew. I won last year, beating Matthew by five games. The rules: you … Read more
First week of D-I play for ECAC Hockey… time to take some random shots in the dark, and see what we hit! Friday, October 10 Clarkson at Niagara 7:00 Niagara, like Clarkson, is picked around the middle of the pack in its respective league (Atlantic Hockey). It’s a young team with a couple legitimate goalies, … Read more
Contenders flex muscle The scoreboard operators at Conte Forum better be ready this season, because No. 3 Boston College will require that constant changes be made. The Eagles made sure there would be no repeat of last year’s mystifying loss to Syracuse. After the teams traded goals on power plays in the opening minutes, BC … Read more
First things first: Welcome aboard Bemidji’s Jack Hittinger to our WCHA coverage this year, and we bid adieu to Matt Wellens, who did a great job last year and will be missed. I cannot confirm that Matt got out because he lost to me in the picks. We’ll see if Jack can overtake me. But … Read more
Well, after winning the first two years of our friendly wager on the picks contest, Arlan finally beat me out last year, getting the six pack of beer that goes along with it. He beat me pretty handily in the end too, so this year, it’s up to me to be a better prognosticator. This … Read more
Hey! There’s hockey this weekend! Once again, Drew Claussen and I will be covering the Big Ten for USCHO.com. Once again, I’m sure that my partner-in-writing will shame me in the picks category. As a reminder, here’s how each of us did during the 2013-14 regular season: Drew: 85-43-14 (.679) Paula: 86-41-16 (.657) This week … Read more