Column

Columns, excluding “This Week” columns

D-III Title Game Notebook

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Overtime Finals This was the fifth national championship to be decided in overtime. None of the prior ones went into a second overtime period. It’s the second time each of these teams were involved in one. Both lost in previous attempts. The first was 1993, the first time they used a neutral site for Division … Read more

Transferring Title?

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At the end of last season, when it was fait accompli that the Salem State Vikings would be leaving their long and venerable association with the ECAC East and joining the new MASCAC conference, the challenge to keep some of their most talented players began in earnest. Having played in one of the best conferences … Read more

D-III Women’s Finals Preview

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Four teams will converge on St. Peter, Minn. this weekend for the 2010 NCAA Division III Women’s Ice Hockey Championships, hosted by Gustavus Adolphus at the Don Roberts Rink. This marks the first time in the tournament’s nine year history that it will be held in the west after three finals have been held at … Read more

This Week in D-I Women’s Hockey: March 12, 2010

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Okay. As brackets go, the template for the NCAA Divison I womens’ hockey tourney is a short one. However, that doesn’t mean that the field of eight is a dull one, void of intrigue. Observers of the scene will ask, where’s Wisconsin? Granted the question comes strictly out of habit. The defending champion Badgers stumbled … Read more

NCAA D-III Quarterfinal Previews

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NCAA Tournament First Round Preview And then there were seven. Nineteen weeks of hard work and preparation paid off for seven teams this past Monday when they were selected to the 2010 NCAA Division III Women’s Ice Hockey Tournament. This year we have one new face in the crowd as Trinity makes its first NCAA … Read more

This Week in the ECAC Northeast-MASCAC: Mar. 4, 2010

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And then there were two. The eight teams in the ECAC Northeast have been whittled down to Curry and Johnson & Wales, who will meet for the conference championship and an automatic berth in the NCAA tournament Saturday at 4:35 p.m. EST. But the two remaining teams are missing a number one. Top seeded Wentworth … Read more

This Week in the ECAC East-NESCAC: Mar. 4, 2010

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Well the first week of the conference playoffs definitely did not disappoint in terms of the level of play and excitement that sudden death hockey brings to any and all arenas. There were favorites who won comfortably; there were upsets by visitors who came ready to play; and there were three 2-1 games decided in … Read more

This Week in SUNYAC: Mar. 4, 2010

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It Took Some Work I finally caught my breath. I think. The Oswego-Morrisville semifinal game was quite a roller coaster. From thinking you were witnessing a major upset to seeing Oswego declare enough is enough, scoring five straight goals for the comeback. “The positive is some other teams, some other years, there would have been … Read more

This Week in MIAC: Mar. 4, 2010

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If anyone had any doubt about the parity in the MIAC after the regular season, this weekend’s playoff games put that to rest — in a hurry. On Wednesday, St. Thomas heads down to St. Peter to face off against Gustavus Adolphus for the MIAC Championship. Let’s first take a step back and look at … Read more

This Week in the ECAC West: Mar. 4, 2010

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No. 1 Elmira vs. No. 2 Manhattanville The top two teams square off for the league title on Saturday at the Thunderdomes. Elmira and Manhattanville found themselves in scraps last weekend during the semifinal games, but both prevailed in the end by identical 4-2 scores. Manhattanville hosted third seeded Hobart, who came out flying during … Read more

This Week in D-I Women’s Hockey: February 26, 2010

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The end of the regular season, which was last week for three of the four D-I leagues (all but the CHA, that is), meant a renewal of that rite of late winter. Senior Day. (That is not to be confused with Senior Moment, of which your correspondent is all too well acquainted). Routinely celebrated during … Read more

This Week in the ECAC West: Feb. 25, 2010

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The postseason has arrived in the ECAC West. Unfortunately, a wet blanket was thrown over what should be the most exciting time of the year when Lebanon Valley withdrew its team from Division III on Tuesday. But the remaining ECAC West teams battle on with the semifinals on tap for Saturday. As my esteemed SUNYAC … Read more

This Week in the ECAC East-NESCAC: Feb. 25, 2010

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The second season has arrived. Not that the stress of the past few weeks has not created its own playoff like atmosphere, but now it’s for real. One and done. The reality now hits home that after 60 minutes of hockey — or sometimes more — your season could be over and you put away … Read more

This Week in MIAC: Feb. 25, 2010

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And Then There Were Five It took until the final day of games, but the MIAC finally has its five teams set for the playoffs. Coming into that last day, though, four teams were fighting for the last two spots. Gustavus Adolphus, Hamline, and St. Thomas had clinched their berths entering the final weekend, but … Read more

This Week in SUNYAC: Feb. 25, 2010

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A First and a Return Last year, I used the above headline after the play-in round. It is just as appropriate this year. Last year, it was Brockport making it to the semifinals for the first time after their first ever playoff win and Geneseo returning. This year, Brockport is the team returning to the … Read more