Feature stories
No one in the Maine camp is unaware of the task that lies ahead as the Black Bears face off against Wisconsin on what will feel like enemy ice. Maine, though, is no stranger to playing big games as a “road” team on allegedly “neutral” ice. In fact, this is the fifth year in a … Read more
Appearances Can Be Misleading North Dakota is a team of seeming paradoxes. With more freshmen than any other team in the Frozen Four, the Sioux are the only team making a return appearance to try for the national title. And while there are 13 rookies on the Sioux squad, North Dakota faces the youngest team … Read more
On the eve of their NCAA semifinal contest with North Dakota, the Boston College Eagles are looking to the time-honored trio of goaltending, special teams and intangibles to get them past North Dakota and into the championship game. Key Factor No. 1: Goaltending “You’re never here unless you have a hot goaltender,” BC coach Jerry … Read more
Last year when the Fighting Sioux returned to North Dakota after losing the NCAA championship game, assistant coach Cary Eades remarked, “We didn’t win a championship, but we won a lot of respect.” For the second straight year, the Sioux are back in the Frozen Four with their sights set firmly on winning an eighth … Read more
The big, punishing, veteran defensemen who carried North Dakota to the Frozen Four in 2005 are long gone. According to some, the group replacing them is less physical, more finesse-oriented and too inexperienced to replace what UND lost last season. So if that’s the case, why is this year’s Sioux team giving up the exact … Read more
Wisconsin vs. Maine Thursday, 7 p.m. CT, Bradley Center, Milwaukee, Wis. For one team in the second semifinal Thursday in Milwaukee, it’s a chance to reclaim past glories. For the other, it’s a familiar experience. Wisconsin’s season can be parsed neatly into three pieces: an incredible run to the top of the polls, followed by … Read more
Boston College vs. North Dakota Thursday, 2 p.m. CT, Bradley Center, Milwaukee, Wis. If the participants in the first semifinal Thursday in Milwaukee seem familiar, there’s a good reason. Boston College and North Dakota face off for the fifth time in eight years at the Bradley Center, and their contest will be a rematch of … Read more
CHA seniors are getting in on the pro act this season, with several signing minor-league deals. NHL-bound or not, Matt Mackinder says pro teams are taking notice.
Wisconsin is on its way to the Frozen Four after surviving three overtimes against Cornell. Matt Lewis sees how the instant classic brought out a different kind of game.
Not yet old enough to vote, Jonathan Toews is already plenty good to help North Dakota to the Frozen Four, says Patrick C. Miller.
The historic 2005 Frozen Four saw the WCHA dominate the postseason. This time around, Jim Connelly says Maine helped show Hockey East’s not half-bad either.
In the seasons culminating in 2004 and 2005, Minnesota claimed the WCHA regular season and tournament championships, and the NCAA crown. In 2006, all three of those honors went to the Wisconsin Badgers. One huge reason was the success that the Badger power play had against the Gophers.
Defense Wins Titles Wisconsin’s defense was not only the best of this NCAA tournament, but perhaps the best ever. The Badgers allowed just one goal in three games played. The only goal scored against Wisconsin came from the stick of Mercyhurst’s Julia Colizza, who scored shorthanded in the first period of a double overtime game. … Read more
John Hopson was named East Regional MOP Sunday, but Timothy Muir McDonald has another candidate: Michigan State freshman Tim Crowder.
Some trivia questions have surprising answers. Who is the only player to score at even strength in both of the Gophers’ NCAA playoff wins? The answer is not WCHA top scorer Erica McKenzie, WCHA Rookie of the Year Gigi Marvin, or NCAA semifinal star Bobbi Ross. The answer is none other than junior Becky Wacker, … Read more
The biggest NCAA tourney upset ever? Perhaps. Regardless, Scott Brown says Holy Cross’ win over Minnesota may be a glimpse into the future.
Joe Pavelski showed his mettle Saturday with a starring performance to send Wisconsin to the Midwest Regional final, Eric Schmoldt says.
They grew up on opposite sides of North America, but have met in between with one goal in mind — winning an NCAA title. Rookies Tim Crowder, a native of Victoria, British Columbia, and Tim Kennedy, from Buffalo, New York, ride shotgun to center Justin Abdelkader on an impressive freshman line that has accounted for … Read more
Penalties were Cornell’s undoing in the ECACHL title game, and Saturday looked like more of the same — until a sudden reversal. Eric Schmoldt reports.
No. 2 seed Wisconsin’s NCAA final opponent Minnesota fell to the Badgers four of five times in the regular season en route to the WCHA regular season and postseason titles so the Badgers would seem to be a strong favorite for the Sunday 3 p.m. CT contest. Yet Minnesota’s chances are better than those results … Read more