The good name of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association is on the line this weekend as Minnesota and Wisconsin square off with Big Ten rivals Michigan and Michigan State in the College Hockey Showcase. Make a note of this, ladies and gentlemen: For once, Minnesota and Wisconsin and Michigan and Michigan State will not be … Read more
In late-breaking news, Hockey East Commissioner Joe Bertagna has outlawed midweek nonconference games after the league went 0-for-3 against the ECAC on Tuesday. And not that anybody really cares, but should it be the Governor’s Cup or Governors’ Cup? Singular or plural? It is, after all, a competition between four state universities. There are, therefore, … Read more
It’s the most wonderful time of the year. As chestnuts roast, turkeys baste, and everyone avoids Aunt Almira’s Jello mold, it’s time to take a look around to ponder blessings and be thankful for what we all have. The laughter of children, the warmth of a smile, that special glow you get whe– Oh, forget … Read more
There’s a new man in charge in Schenectady, New York, these days. Well, “new” if you consider that it is his first head coaching position in college hockey — not so new if you know that he had been the top assistant at Union for the last five years. Kevin Sneddon, named Union head coach … Read more
When he was a little boy, he watched hockey on TV and dreamed the dreams of so many kids his age. Could that be me? Could I do that? For Michael Filardo, though, the challenges of seeing those dreams reach fulfillment extended beyond the usual ones of size, skill, quickness and agility. He faced the … Read more
Have the first few weeks of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association schedule just been a little bit of a tease? Some big matchups, but always pointing to this weekend in November when No. 1 North Dakota faces No. 3 Colorado College in a struggle for control of the conference? If so, it sure was worth … Read more
The human skull can be shattered by an impact at 7-10 kilometers per hour. When stationary, however, it can apparently survive blows from faster-moving objects with such little consequence as a bump, loss of blood, and a couple of staples to the scalp. It’s estimated that head injuries occur with the frequency of 610 per … Read more
After three weekends of Metro Atlantic play, it’s clear there are two major surprises in the conference. The first is Canisius, predicted to finish second in the MAAC preseason poll. Despite the hype, the Ice Griffins are on an 0-7-1 skid and find themselves in sixth place. The second is Iona. The freshman-laden Gaels, a … Read more
Maybe there is something about that Friday the 13th hooey after all. Check out how the USCHO Top 10 fared that night. Playing 10 unranked opponents, the group won only four games. And the Hockey East contingent — Boston College, Maine and New Hampshire — didn’t manage a single victory. Unlike BC and UNH, Maine … Read more
College hockey is at its best when it comes down to rivalries. And the Western Collegiate Hockey Association features two such matchups this weekend as the top-ranked team in the country, North Dakota, travels to Minneapolis to face the Gophers and No. 3 Colorado College plays a home-and-home series with Denver. What makes these rivalries … Read more
Well, the MAAC made headlines last weekend, but probably not the type the conference’s head honchos envisioned when this venture was founded. Saturday’s tilt between Quinnipiac and Fairfield was suspended after the second period when 14 players were sent to Bridgeport Hospital complaining of dizziness and nausea. The culprit? Carbon monoxide from the Zamboni at … Read more
On the bright side, Maine and Merrimack had great weekends, sweeping series with other Hockey East foes. On the sobering side, Black Bear alum Jeff Libby sustained a terrible eye injury in a recent Lowell Lock Monsters (AHL) game. Our thoughts are certainly with him. Hockey East Player of the Month: Mike Mottau (D, Boston … Read more
Having grown up a Catholic, I know the value of confession. And given the email I’ve received recently from fans of a certain CCHA team, I know what I have to do. Bless me, Readers, for I have sinned. It has been too long since I’ve been to confession, and this is my sin: I … Read more
Well, it’s finally here — the "real" start of the ECAC league season. Yes, we know Harvard and Brown played last weekend, but this is where the race for the good loot begins. Speaking of the first ECAC game of the season, it was Brown getting a quick jump on the entire league with a … Read more
Former Maine defenseman Jeff Libby had his right eye accidentally lanced by a skate Saturday night while playing for the Lowell Lock Monsters in an American Hockey League game against the St. John’s Maple Leafs. Despite a five-hour operation late Saturday night, Libby is likely to lose the affected eye. The injury occurred when Maple … Read more
BU will turn around its 0-4 start and go undefeated the rest of the regular season. But the Terriers won’t finish first because UMass-Amherst will. And Merrimack will win the national championship. Ya gotta believe. Why? Heck, if former pro wrestler Jesse "The Body" Ventura can become the governor of Minnesota, anything can happen. Gov. … Read more
Hoooooooooo!!! Just one more week to go before the action in the ECAC really heats up, but the appetite is whetted this week with the first league game. Brown travels to Cambridge to play Harvard as the second century of this rivalry begins. As for last week, it was success for Colgate and Rensselaer over … Read more
Thank goodness it’s November. With ten points, No. 8 Notre Dame sits atop the CCHA waiting for everyone else to catch them. The Irish were idle last week, and head out East this weekend for single games against Boston College and Northeastern. No. 9 Michigan and Ferris State are tied for second with eight points … Read more
WCHA Preview: Nov. 6-7, 1998 by Todd D. Milewski In these days, where the 30-second campaign commercial is the difference between being elected and being left behind, brevity is the key. In honor of the recently-completed election season, this week’s preview will give you just enough information to make your decision. Oh, and with no … Read more
No need to dance around it — this week’s themes in the MAAC are pretty straightforward. Canisius, a preseason pick to contend for the MAAC title, is on a four-game slide after dropping two games to Quinnipiac last weekend. It doesn’t get any easier this week as the Ice Griffs head out to Holy Cross. … Read more