Columns, excluding “This Week” columns
Any given weekend. That’s the theme of D-III West Hockey this season. A team can go into a big weekend series ranked in the top 15 in the USCHO D-III men’s national poll and seemingly the favorite only to come away feeling the sting of defeat. The lesson here is that while rankings are great … Read more
Can’t believe we’re already at the conclusion of week 12 and about to begin week 13 of the hockey season (weeks in terms of playing weeks, not overall). We’re starting to see some teams catching fire, whilst others fading as of late. It’s not always about how you start, but how you finish, as ultimately … Read more
While the hockey world has long been known for its great philanthropy and support of many diverse charitable endeavors, a close connection to a cause always brings a clearer focus and engagement. Sophomore Jack Cooper at King’s College will be front and center when the hockey team hosts their Huntington’s Disease Awareness Night on Friday … Read more
I spent the last two weeks in Sweden for the 2023 IIHF U18 Women’s World Championships. I’ve always had an interest in this tournament, but having the chance to cover the 2022 tournament in Madison really drove home for me how closely tied it is to what I do covering the college game. I was … Read more
Yes, there are still three unbeatens in conference play (Endicott, Plymouth State & Utica) in the east and all face some stiff competition this weekend which should be exciting for fans everywhere looking for the upset bug to continue its presence in all D-III hockey. Last week’s picks improved slightly at 8-3-1 (.708) which brings … Read more
Another week of hockey has passed, one week closer to conference tournaments and then the almighty NCAA tournament selection show where the few at-large bids are fought for amongst the non-conference winners (or if you’re in the WIAC). Besides your week 12 recap, we have to discuss something bigger than hockey that unfortunately occurred during … Read more
Rivalry games, it doesn’t matter if they are in conference or not, the intensity level is always much higher than for a not so familiar opponent and sometimes the results are surprising. Add in incredible performances by a single player like Nolan Moore or Chance Gorman and the recipe for dropping a tough game goes … Read more
(1) Ohio State at St. Cloud State Nine Buckeyes tallied points and six of them had multi-point games as OSU took the opening game of the weekend 6-2. Makenna Webster, Jenn Gardiner and Paetyn Levis had the team up 3-0 early in the second. Emma Gentry lit the lamp for St. Cloud to cut the … Read more
Team USA completed the men’s ice hockey tournament by doing something no other team representing the USA had done in the previous editions of the Winter World University Games, they played in the gold medal game and took home the silver medal finishing 5-2-0 in their seven games. They played a better Canadian team today … Read more
Playing for the first time in Herb Brooks Arena in Lake Placid during these World University Games, Team USA defeated Japan, 4-3 on an overtime goal from Sam Ruffin (Adrian) to send the US to the gold medal game against either Canada or Kazakhstan on Sunday. The first period saw both teams playing aggressively with … Read more
Jack Jaunich started playing hockey at a young age, his love of the game growing largely through his time on the pond in Minnesota. “Playing on the ponds every day, and having access to rinks all over, that was kind of the thing that got me into hockey. I fell in love with the game. … Read more
Team USA finished their Pool B bracket play with a solid 9-1 win over Hungary helping them to finish atop the pool with a 4-1-0 record. Luke Aquaro (Hobart) jumpstarted the team with goal at 59 seconds and added a second goal for a 2-0 lead just four minutes into the game. The game was … Read more
In a must win game for Team USA, the D-III comprised roster took down Pool B leading Kazakhstan, 4-1 on Wednesday morning to remain in a position to make this weekend’s medal round. The team started quickly with Matt Hannewall (MSOE) picking up his first of two goals in the game just 55 seconds into … Read more
The teams you expect to step up pretty much did so last week and while it was never easy or even pretty, the resulting wins continue to build confidence as the regular season and conference play heat up for the next month. Last week my picks came back down to earth from the prior week … Read more
Another weekend of career and personal milestones for coaches and players in the western region of D-III Women’s hockey. We also saw a team establish themselves with a key weekend sweep that will play a vital role as we make the late season push now that the last half of play is underway. Adrian’s Head … Read more
It is mid-January and the good teams really start finding their game and getting results. Such was the case for Hobart, Norwich, Utica, Endicott and Plymouth State among others who realized weekend sweeps despite some close games. There were more than ten overtime games this past week and while not all were decided in the … Read more
With both teams entering the game at 2-0-0, the match-up between Team USA and Slovakia figured to be a highly competitive game. After two periods of play with the score tied at 1-1, the third period saw the Slovaks with a 4-1 goal advantage on the way to a 5-2 win in Pool B. Matus … Read more
Team USA moved to 2-0 in Pool B play on Saturday night with an 8-0 win over the Republic of Korea. Ryan Kenny from Stevenson (14 saves) and Evan Ruschil from Williams (5 saves) combined for the shutout as the D-III-based US team has yet to surrender a goal through the first two games. Offensively, … Read more
A quick look at the standings in the SUNYAC finds Plattsburgh in second place behind Oswego heading into the remaining conference games on the schedule. At 5-2-1, the Cardinals are only looking up at Oswego and still have a game remaining with the Lakers in the battle for the top which also includes defending champion … Read more
Team USA, represented by D-III players for the first time, opened the World University Games tournament in Pool B with an 18-0 win over Great Britain. Dysen Skinner (7 saves) and Evan Ruschil (1 Save) combined on the shutout out while forward Same Ruffin from Adrian recorded four points with a goal and three assists … Read more