Semifinal Notebook: Middlebury 5, New England College 2

Coming Up Short New England College had staged some big comebacks in their Cinderella-esque post season run, but this one came up short. The Pilgrims never gave up, though. “We battled right to the end,” said coach Tom Carroll. “Because of all the comebacks we’ve had, there was no doubt on the bench that we … Read more

Middlebury 5, New England College 2

Middlebury will defend its title Saturday night, after a 5-2 win over New England College at home. Middlebury took its first lead of the night, 3-2, at 10:15 of the third period. Tim Graham fed the puck to defenseman Brett Shirreffs at the blue line. Shirreffs walked in to the high slot and wristed a … Read more

Just Down the Road A Piece

Central [nl]Vermont may seem like an unlikely source for proven hockey players, but that is certainly not the case considering Middlebury has two such members leading them into championship weekend. Captain Brian Phinney and alternate captain Levi Doria both hail from nearby Ripton, Vt., just over eight miles southeast of Middlebury. Phinney and Doria have … Read more

Motown Youth

Ah, to be young in the springtime — in Detroit! Half of this year’s Super Six field is comprised of the three CCHA teams with the largest freshman classes. Two of those teams, Nebraska-Omaha and Ohio State, hosted a first-round playoff series, while Alaska-Fairbanks traveled to Joe Louis Arena by way of Bowling Green, Ohio. … Read more

Going The Distance

So how far would you go to see your son play for the national championship? For senior defenseman Skylar Kangas, his parents are typical of the efforts made by the parents and friends travel to see St. Thomas compete in this weekend’s D-III Frozen Four. Due to the high price of airline tickets that would … Read more

D-III Goes Digital

For D-I programs looking to find the extra edge in their team’s performance, an investment in today’s high-tech digital video system is a must-have item in looking for ways to improve positioning and game analysis. For D-III programs, the needs are the same but the technology is new to many and now affordable for most. … Read more

St. Thomas Advances Over Trinity, 4-1

John Bottoms’ power play goal at 9:38 has staked St. Thomas to a 1-0 lead over Trinity in the first NCAA Division III semifinal at Middlebury. Bottom’s shot from the center point whistled just inside the near post. St. Thomas senior forward Dustin Lick is in the lineup for the first time since Jan. 21 … Read more

Rolling The PairWise Dice

This time of year, intense focus is turned towards the PairWise Rankings, that mystic, sometimes incomprehensible, source of wisdom daring us to guess the NCAA tournament field in advance. Ofttimes, the results work out like a game of craps. Sometimes, you’re better off letting others roll the dice, while at other times, you want to … Read more

Semifinal Notebook: St. Thomas 4, Trinity 1

Adding Injury to Insult Trinity coach John Dunham was bending down to look at his clipboard during the first period, when he got hit with a puck just above his left eye, and required 15 stitches. “I was lucky. A half inch lower and I lose my eye,” said Dunham, “So I’m counting my blessings.” … Read more

Takes A ‘Lick-in’, Keeps on Ticking

For the St. Thomas University hockey team, their 4-1 win over Trinity College in the national semifinals just moved them one step closer to realizing a goal for themselves and one special teammate. Just seven weeks ago, senior captain Dustan Lick broke his leg after scoring a goal and was expected to miss the remainder … Read more

D-III Semifinal Notebook

Battle of All-Americans and Seniors Elmira and Plattsburgh each had several players selected to the AHCA All-American teams announced at the tournament banquet on Thursday evening. There were three Soaring Eagles selected to the First Team — Edith Racine in goal, defender LeAnne Denman and forward Laura Hurd. Hurd also nabbed the AHCA Player of … Read more

Future In Mind

Having to play three games in three days isn’t exactly a recipe for success. That’s the task that faces one WCHA team every year, once the No. 4 and No. 5 seeds meet in Thursday’s play-in game at the Final Five. For the winner, a semifinal matchup follows the next day, and then a game … Read more

D-III Semifinal Notebook

The Female Bobby Orr Andrea Peterson of Gustavus Adolphus has very impressive stats – 31 goals and 29 assists for 60 points. Impressive enough to be the nation’s leading scorer in goals and points coming into the championship weekend. She also has eight power play goals. Andrea Peterson finished as the nation’s leading scorer. (Photo: … Read more

One Day, Two Spots

So it’s down to one last day. After two days of games, there are some certainties that we can count on. • 14 teams are now locks for the tournament. • Ohio State and Wisconsin took two of those spots after the last two days. • There are two spots left in the tournament, one … Read more

A Wall Of His Own

For two years, Northern Michigan netminder Tuomas Tarkki was stuck behind a wall. More specifically, he was stuck behind a K-Wall. Craig Kowalski — K-Wall, for short — the four-year starting goalie for the Wildcats, was unflappable in net from 2000-2004. During his run in Marquette, Kowalski rewrote the NMU record book for goaltending stats. … Read more

D-III Women’s Championship Looks as Unpredictable as Ever

After a one year hiatus, the Division III Women’s championship returns to its unofficial home, the Murray Athletic Center in Elmira. This was the site of the first two years the NCAA sanctioned a national championship for women and is now the host for the third time in four years. Elmira won the national championship … Read more

D-I Women’s NCAA Quarterfinal Previews

The long wait for the eight-team Division One NCAA women’s hockey tournament finally comes to an end this weekend. A tournament once limited to just the Frozen Four host site every year will finally be spread to four campus sites on Friday and Saturday this weekend, for what is sure to be an electric atmosphere … Read more

Hot At The Right Time

One year removed from an All-American performance that earned Jim Slater a spot as a Hobey Baker Finalist, Michigan State’s senior sniper couldn’t even crack the All-CCHA team. For many around the league, the numbers just don’t add up. Blame it on unrealistic expectations or strong competition, but Slater’s 16-28–44 line is only four points … Read more

Bubble Trouble

Some teams are safe, some are out, and the rest are hoping to play their way into the NCAAs.