Columns, excluding “This Week” columns
January is flying by and the action on the ice is heating up. We have several big games on tap this weekend, including a key matchup in the MIAC featuring Gustavus and Saint Mary’s. The biggest matchup of the weekend, though, pits Trine against Adrian in a battle of nationally ranked NCHA opponents. Without further … Read more
Brennan Boynton didn’t get a chance to play at UW-River Falls last season after transferring in from Division I American International. But this year is he back on the ice, holding down the role as starting goalie for the Falcons. “It’s been awesome. I haven’t played a full season since my second year of juniors … Read more
Nothing like ringing in the new year with a matchup featuring nationally ranked teams. That’s what hockey fans were treated to on Saturday as No. 15 UW-Stevens Point knocked off second-ranked St. Norbert by a 4-1 score at home. The Pointers (7-4-1) avenged a 6-2 loss to the Green Knights (12-3) and stayed unbeaten at … Read more
Christmas is history and we have are ready for a new year and a full slate of hockey as the second half of the D-III West season gets rolling. St. Norbert at UW-Stevens Point What a way to begin 2025 by having two ranked opponents square off for the second time this season. The No. … Read more
For Keene State head coach Bobby Rodrigue, the 2024-25 season is an opportunity to see his new NCAA level team play an independent schedule and get acclimated to the D-III game before they become part of the new Little East hockey conference next season. After a slow start to the campaign, the Owls entered the … Read more
It’s the day before Christmas, and all through the D-III hockey world, rinks are as silent as the night. The hockey sticks are hung by the chimney with care in the hopes of them soon being used to score plenty of goals in the second half of the season. Coaches, athletes and fans are home … Read more
Concordia accomplished what no opponent could do over the last six games – beat Gustavus. The Falcons ended the Gusties’ six-game winning streak on Friday with a 3-2 win and then capped the weekend with an 8-6 victory on Saturday. Concordia has suddenly become one of the hotter teams in the process, with its own … Read more
Jack Suchy is enjoying the chance to play college hockey in his home state one final time, and the experience has been made even better by the fact that Gustavus is on a roll. After starting the season 0-3, the Gusties have won six in a row, surging to the top of the MIAC with … Read more
One final weekend of NCAA Division III hockey remains before Christmas and there are a handful of games on the slate. The MIAC and NCHA are both out of conference this weekend while the WIAC continues play within the league. Let’s take a look at what is ahead and predict the outcomes. Hamline (3-6) at … Read more
Dear Santa – we all know the greatest team sport is the game of hockey! It is where “we” is more important than “I” and where everyone doing their job from the crease out makes the difference in consistent performance and results. Wow, Big Guy, that kind of sounds like all your elves who always … Read more
Liam Fraser had no idea how good NCAA Division III hockey truly was until he saw it up close in his first season at St. Norbert. “It was definitely eye-opening, especially in this conference (NCHA),” Fraser said. “It took time to adjust to how much bigger, stronger and faster guys are here, but getting opportunities … Read more
Two top 10 teams in the USCHO.com poll went at it over the weekend as Trine faced St. Norbert, and ultimately, the two teams ended their series with a split. The No. 7 Thunder handed the Green Knights their first loss of the year on Saturday, winning 4-0 on the road over the second-ranked team … Read more
Only a few weeks until Christmas. But for now, we have another week of hockey to unwrap. Let’s take a look at some of the games on tap and make some predictions. St Norbert (11-0, 6-0) vs. Trine (9-0-1, 5-0-1) This isn’t a national championship matchup, but boy, it might feel like one as the … Read more
Following Arcadia’s impressive sweep of Stevenson in a pair of one-goal games on home ice before Thanksgiving, the Knights have just a weekend series remaining with Lebanon Valley College to close out the first half. A successful weekend would send the Knights into the break at 6-3-2 overall and 5-2-2 in league play which puts … Read more
Give it up for Lake Forest. The Foresters made a statement on Saturday, upsetting No. 12 Skidmore in the opening game of the nationally ranked Thoroughbreds’ Thanksgiving tournament. The Foresters finished off the weekend with a championship game win over Fredonia. Against Skidmore, Lake Forest led 3-1 after one and never looked back on its … Read more
Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving and got enough to eat. With that said, it’s time to feast on some hockey predictions. St. Scholastica (4-3-1) vs. Dubuque (0-7-1) The Saints come into the opening game of the Superior Showdown having won three in a row. Eino Rissanen has played a pivotal role in that success, … Read more
Jon Howe had one of the best performances of his career a couple of weeks ago, recording a career-best 44 saves as Saint John’s blanked nationally ranked UW-River Falls It was only the fourth game of the year for the Johnnies, and a big one because it avenged a season-opening loss to the Falcons. “It … Read more
Currently sitting at No. 5 in the USCHO poll, the Curry Colonels have started out the season with a stellar 7-1-0 record with a very motivated team that has turned NCAA tournament disappointment into fuel and focus for achievement this year from the very start of the 2024-2025 season. “Last spring, we took the successful … Read more
It’s become a familiar theme. St. Norbert plays hockey on the weekend and comes away with a couple of wins. The Green Knights continued that trend this past Friday and Saturday, sweeping Aurora in an NCHA showdown featuring two nationally ranked teams. The No. 2 Green Knights won 3-2 in overtime on Friday before dominating … Read more
Before we get into Thanksgiving week, it’s time to feast on some hockey. We have some big games on the slate, including a weekend showdown between Aurora and St. Norbert. That series might not decide the NCHA crown, but it could very well put one of those teams in the driver’s seat. Here’s a look … Read more