Feature stories
(North Dakota’s) Pride On Ice One of the more remarkable traditions Minnesota has is the near-exclusive use of Minnesota-born talent in the lineup. But when Don Lucia became coach at Minnesota three seasons ago, he recruited the first non-Minnesota player since 1986 by signing Grand Forks, N.D., native Grant Potulny. Potulny, a sophomore, scored the … Read more
After three years in relative obscurity, Maine’s Mike Morrison stepped into the spotlight.
For Maine, reaching the Frozen Four produced a sense that 2002 almost seems like 1999. Jim Connelly reports.
Not Their Day New Hampshire got off to a very fast start, scoring just 21 seconds into the first period. But after that, the team that led the nation in scoring (4.67 goal per game), and backed by a goaltender who set a Hockey East record for save percentage (.938) could do very little right. … Read more
“It seems like Michigan goes every year, but the rest of us don’t.” That’s Minnesota head coach Don Lucia on the only repeat team in this year’s Frozen Four. It does seem as though the Wolverines are in the postseason mix yearly, so to those outside the CCHA, Michigan’s appearance in St. Paul may have … Read more
Michigan overcame youth and early-season struggles to reach St. Paul. Paula C. Weston reports on the accomplishments of a maturing squad.
The Frozen Four opening game on Thursday featuring Maine and New Hampshire is a battle of two teams that, despite solid goaltending, have question marks between the pipes. UNH has alternated much of the season between Michael Ayers and Matt Carney. Maine rode Mike Morrison much of the season, but has turned to seasoned Matt … Read more
The following, in alphabetical order, are capsule profiles of the Hobey Baker “Hat Trick,” the final three candidates for the Hobey Baker Memorial Award, which will be announced Friday in St. Paul, Minn. Mark Hartigan Team: St. Cloud State. Position: Forward. Class: Junior. Height, weight: 6-foot, 200 pounds. Hometown: Fort St. John, British Columbia. Statistics: … Read more
A fourth-line forward? Jim Abbott made his presence felt in New Hampshire’s run to the Frozen Four, as Jim Connelly notes.
Here’s a statistic that Hockey East loyalists are hearing for the umpteenth time, but Western fans should make note of: in Hockey East games, the Wildcats ranked first in team offense, team defense, power-play percentage and penalty-kill percentage. This led to finishing first in the league, winning the Hockey East tournament and gaining the top … Read more
Although it may not seem like it this weekend, the city of St. Paul and the surrounding areas have a lot to offer visitors besides men on skates. The planners of this year’s Frozen Four have plenty of activities to keep fans busy, but I thought I’d offer a few others — just in case. … Read more
In some ways, Maine had the toughest road to the Frozen Four of the semifinalist schools. New Hampshire and Minnesota were bye teams while Michigan got to play on home ice in front of its raucous fans. The Wolverines did face tougher opponents, at least on paper, but had the proverbial seventh player from the … Read more
Don Lucia has trouble coming up with high points from a season in which his Minnesota Golden Gophers are 30-8-4, got a first-round bye in the NCAA tournament and have advanced to the Frozen Four. But that’s just fine to the Minnesota coach. He hasn’t found any low points, either. One of the things Lucia … Read more
In a not-too-common occurrence, Tim Horst left Minnesota to play hockey. Now, Jim Connelly reports on the UNH sophomore’s return.
Minnesota’s seniors have come a long way since a sub-.500 freshman season, as Todd D. Milewski notes.
Michigan State’s loss at the West Regional sent Ron Mason out a loser in his last game. But Paula C. Weston says the new MSU AD is able to focus elsewhere — and there’s plenty to see.
Lucas Lawson entered the year with high expectations. Meeting them was neither easy nor quick, but the junior forward helped get Maine to the Frozen Four, Jim Connelly notes.
Rick Comley’s life, he says, has intermingled with Ron Mason’s for 35 years — no surprise, then, when Mason tapped Comley to succeed him at MSU. Frequent contributor Steve Klein gives his thoughts.
Denver’s magical season came to a sudden end, but there were no second-guesses.
St. Cloud State went from a season of huge promise, to one of lingering questions.