Columns, excluding “This Week” columns
Hard to believe that the calendar rolls into February this weekend and that we are heading down the stretch run in the season where both leagues are very competitive for all of the playoff spots. Fondly referencing a ‘Badger Bob’ Johnson quote, Bowdoin coach Terry Meagher noted that “we are right in that hockey tunnel … Read more
Saving A Season Buffalo State entered the weekend of December 7-8 with what appeared to be a lost season. They were 2-8-2 overall with a four game losing streak and winless in seven straight. Worse, they were only 1-4-2 in the SUNYAC just 10 months after hosting their first playoff game in school history. This … Read more
As the newcomer to the ECAC NE, Becker College is having a respectable campaign, currently sitting in the middle of the pack, four points out from second place but in a four way tie for fourth place. “This is our second year of existence,†coach Steve Hoar stated. “I think the ECAC NE is a … Read more
To Have A Humanitarian Over the years, I have highlighted the community outreach in the ECAC West in this column. Every team has programs to get the players out of the rinks and into the communities helping on numerous community service projects. Now, three programs have been recognized on a national level for the efforts … Read more
Providence becomes the Hockey East team du jour, while Michigan State makes a statement against its archrival and more. Jim Connelly and Scott Brown present another week of back-and-forth.
With attendance problems and matchup integrity issues to face, Jayson Moy cuts Miami and Michigan a break in this week’s edition of Bracketology.
Since a well-documented loss in Denver, the Wisconsin Badgers have regrouped around a common theme. Dave Starman finds Mike Eaves’ team making a charge as the playoff race heats up.
With the weeks counting down to the all important conference playoffs at the end of February, some teams are starting to get on the roll that many predicted would carry them to the top of the league standings at the beginning of the year. Middlebury and Norwich are prime examples. Still others are finding their … Read more
Finally, the month we have all been waiting for. It’s nothing but conference action from here on out for both the NCHA and MCHA, and both are figuring not to have much of anything figured out until the final weekend of the season. The NCHA finished up with the MIAC Interlock portion of its schedule … Read more
Ending Early Every year, my colleague Chris Lerch has a running count of the teams that complete their season as we wind down to the final game. This count always starts in mid-February as teams begin to be eliminated from their league playoffs. This year, Lerch can begin his count right now. The first team … Read more
“We’re right in the thick of things,†coach Rob Davies said of his conference-leading Curry College Colonels. “We had a tough game against Becker the other night. They played very well and gave us all we can handle. We were fortunate to get the win. Now we’ve got Wentworth and Nichols coming up. Right now, … Read more
Getting Your Money’s Worth Hobart and Neumann played a pair of wild games last weekend in Aston, PA that provide a glimpse of the kind of hockey that fans can expect in the ECAC West down the stretch. Friday’s contest saw Neumann start out on a tear, scoring four goals in the first 6:11 of … Read more
Early surprises try to show staying power in Hockey East; Quinnipiac demonstrates its continuing development; and Atlantic Hockey pulls off another upset in the Rocky Mountains, giving Jim Connelly and Scott Brown plenty to talk about.
Attendance issues come to the forefront in week two of Bracketology, as Jayson Moy tries to balance the draw against the integrity of the field by using a little inventive bracketing.
Corsairs rolling along Sitting atop the ECAC NE in sole possession of first place is UMass Dartmouth, with a 6-0-0 record, and a 8-4-1 overall mark. Head coach John Rolli is pleased with his team’s effort so far, but after playing five of the last six on the road, he can’t wait to play a … Read more
Save for two games, from now on both leagues exclusively are partaking in conference play from this point on. It’s safe to say we’ve hit the homestretch. The NCHA all but wrapped up its Interlock schedule last weekend and currently holds a 29-19-8 record against the MIAC. While not as impressive as last season’s dominating … Read more
This week brings us to the unofficial halfway point in the season. Based on what amounts to about an average of a 25 game schedule per team, this weekend puts most teams across the halfway mark and really turns the focus on making an impact in league play. As Colby coach Jim Tortorella puts it: … Read more
With most ECAC West teams winding up their non-league games and heading back into league play this weekend, it is time for my annual mid-season review. The first half of the season has been a wild ride, with surprises, disappointment, and some incredible hockey. The ECAC West has done an outstanding job in the non-conference … Read more
Sports’ Lessons Sports is a great way to learn many of life’s lessons. That was evident in Potsdam’s topsy-turvy weekend. Potsdam forward Mitch West played in 18 games in his freshman year. He did not score a single point. Not a goal. Not an assist. In his first 13 games this year, he still had … Read more
It took a bit for Rick Comley to really settle in at Michigan State, but now the Spartans’ bench boss is focused on a repeat NCAA championship, Dave Starman finds.