Weekend wrap: 10/12

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

Three things I learned about the WCHA this week

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

Lowell, UVM legit? Favorites fall and non-league struggles

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

Three Things from this weekend

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

NCHC pick: Oct. 12

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

Pickin’ the Big Ten: Oct. 10-12

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

Hockey East picks – Oct. 10-12

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

NCHC picks: Oct. 10

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

Weekend wrap: Oct. 5

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

WCHA picks, Oct. 4-5

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

Pickin’ the Big Ten: No. 8 Michigan at No. 9 Ferris State, Oct. 4, 2014

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