Black Bears One Win From Title
Maine struggled early but came on strong in the second and third periods, scoring the final six goals in a 7-2 closer-than-the-score rout of New Hampshire in the NCAA semifinals Thursday.
The Border Barrier
In the pantheon of sports-led societal advances, it’s not quite in the class of Jackie Robinson signing with the Dodgers. But, to many a Gopher fan, the recruitment of North Dakota native Grant Potulny to play at the University of Minnesota required accepting a major change that many fought. Of course, a few more two-goal … Read more
Not Easy To Swallow
Despite all hopes, numbers and indications to the contrary, a season of promise ended abruptly for New Hampshire Thursday.
Hauser, Gophers Advance To Title Game
The fans came to see their hometown heroes, and the Minnesota Golden Gophers didn’t disappoint. Grant Potulny netted two goals to give Minnesota an early lead, Adam Hauser stopped 27 shots, and the Gophers held off a furious Michigan rally to take the second semifinal, 3-2, at the Xcel Energy Center Thursday. Jeff Taffe gave … Read more
Meet The Frauds II: Finals
A strong showing for USCHO.com’s Division I conference correspondents meant the bar was high for advancement to the finals in our second annual picks competition. Indeed, the staff turned in an impressive 30-10 record in picking the West and East Regional results, including a majority correctly picking Maine to reach the Frozen Four via an … Read more
Hauser, Gophers Advance To Title Game
Minnesota built a 3-0 lead early in the third period, then held off a Michigan rally to reach the NCAA title game. Grant Potulny scored two goals, Jeff Taffe had the eventual winner, and Adam Hauser stopped 27 shots in the win.
Maine One Win From Title
From the same team that brought you the clinic on how not to start a Frozen Four came others on how to wrestle away control of a game in the second period and seal the deal in the third. The Maine Black Bears, they of incredible strength and fortitude in this, a trying season on … Read more
Fans Revel in St. Paul Experience
Fans flocked to the NCAAs in record numbers, and the Xcel Energy Center didn’t disappoint.
Notebook: Minnesota-Michigan
(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
Dempsey: Expansion Coming
It seemed fitting that on the same day the largest crowd in history witnesses an NCAA ice hockey tournament game, NCAA President Cedric Dempsey all but guaranteed the tournament field will expand next year from 12 to 16 teams. It will be the first expansion of the tournament since 1988. “The [NCAA] Management Council will … Read more
Patience Rewarded
After three years in relative obscurity, Maine’s Mike Morrison stepped into the spotlight.
An Easterner Visits Mecca
I’ve lived in New England all my life and intend to stay there. So I’m an Eastern guy, a Hockey East guy to be specific. But I’d been really looking forward to this pilgrimage to college hockey’s Mecca. We can show our appreciation for the sport out East, but you Minnesotans have the reputation for … Read more
Instant Replay
For Maine, reaching the Frozen Four produced a sense that 2002 almost seems like 1999. Jim Connelly reports.
Notebook: Maine-New Hampshire
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
Frozen Four Preview: Michigan
“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
Under The Radar
Michigan overcame youth and early-season struggles to reach St. Paul. Paula C. Weston reports on the accomplishments of a maturing squad.
Frozen Four Notebook: Questions Between The Pipes
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
Three Coaches Honored For Season Achievements
The American Hockey Coaches Association honored three coaches for their efforts this season; two led their teams to national championships, while the third is the first woman to win the award twice. The coaches are Wisconsin-Superior men’s coach Dan Stauber, Elmira women’s coach Jamie Wood and Minnesota women’s coach Laura Halldorson. Stauber’s team finished 24-5-5 … Read more
Miller, Leopold Repeat First-Team All-Americans
Michigan State goalie Ryan Miller and Minnesota defenseman Jordan Leopold repeated as selections to the JOFA Division I All-America first team, the only two returnees among the 12 players honored as First-Team All-Americans by the American Hockey Coaches Association. NCAA semifinalists accounted for eight of the 25 players on the two teams. Michigan State, which … Read more
Hobey Baker Finalist Profiles
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