At the midpoint of this season, space on this web site detailed a statistically significant drop in college hockey scoring over the last dozen years. The decline lessened somewhat in the second half of the season, but not by much — certainly not enough to stop asking the question, “What’s happening and why?” The decline … Read more
If, a fortnight ago, you had asked a hundred fans which four teams would meet this weekend at the FleetCenter for college hockey’s glittering prize, about two might have gotten the list right — if even that many. The Eagles of Boston College stormed through the Hockey East playoffs to earn a bye, then collectively … Read more
For the edification and (equally likely) amusement of college hockey fans everywhere, the USCHO staff predicts the outcome of this year’s championship. Mike Machnik, Staff Analyst The Wolverines and Wildcats are on emotional highs after big wins last week, and both clubs have good special teams. The edge goes to UNH with four of the … Read more
The Wolverines are in Boston this year, which shouldn’t surprise anyone, given that Michigan has made a college hockey Final Four appearance seven of the last eight seasons. But this year, Michigan has advanced without The Michigan Nine, the phenomenal class led by 1997 Hobey Baker winner, Brendan Morrison. Gone are Morrison, Botterill, Madden, Luhning … Read more
What: The 1998 NCAA Division I men’s ice hockey semifinals and championship. Where: The FleetCenter, in Boston, Mass. Who: Four teams — Boston College, Michigan, New Hampshire and Ohio State — qualified through the two NCAA regionals. Of the four, only Boston College had the benefit of a first-round bye, while New Hampshire is the … Read more
New Hampshire forward Mark Mowers, whose two shorthanded goals Sunday included the overtime game-winner against Boston University, was named Most Valuable Player of the NCAA East Regional. Overall, Mowers was 3-2-5 for two games in regional play. Meanwhile, in the West, Ohio State goaltender Jeff Maund made 46 saves while allowing just three goals in … Read more
The Omaha (Neb.) World-Herald reported recently that the University of Nebraska at Omaha, whose hockey team just completed its first season in Division I, is discussing possible affiliation with the CCHA. On Mar. 20, Nebraska-Omaha representatives met with CCHA officials to examine such an arrangement, at which time the school was invited to make a … Read more
It’s Monday, two days after Andre Signoretti’s overtime goal sent Ohio State to college hockey’s Frozen Four, and the Buckeyes are back in Columbus, where it’s 85 degrees. It’s the first day of Spring Quarter classes. After Buckeye hockey practice, the players linger a little. There are a couple of reporters, a couple fans. Everyone … Read more
Ten head coaches have been announced as finalists for the Spencer Penrose Award, given annually by the American Hockey Coaches Association to the top Division I coach in the nation. Heading the list are the four winners of conference Coach of the Year honors. They are John Markell (Ohio State, CCHA), Tim Taylor (Yale, ECAC), … Read more
He lives alone with his cat, and he’s afraid to cut his hair. And at just 166 pounds, he’s one of the toughest competitors on ice. Michigan State goaltender and Hobey Baker candidate Chad Alban answers the question that’s on everyone’s lips: “Just what is up with that hair?” “I just grew it out in … Read more
The only real dust kicked up by this year’s selections lay in East Lansing and Columbus, where some fans are grousing about the committee’s decision to leave the Ohio State Buckeyes West as the fourth seed, setting up a potential second-round collision with top-seeded (and top-ranked) Michigan State. That contest would be a repeat of … Read more
The University Division and College Division women’s All-America teams, as published in the inaugural issue of Women’s Hockey News: University Division First Team Pos Second TeamBrandy Fisher, New Hampshire F Ali Coughlin, PrincetonSarah Hood, Dartmouth F Nadine Muzzerall, MinnesotaMeaghan Sittler, Colby F Hilary Witt, NortheasternCourtney Kennedy, Colby D Brittny Ralph, MinnesotaNicki Luongo, New Hampshire D … Read more
Like any athlete worth his competitive salt, Harvard sophomore goalie Mike Ginal was excited when his coach told him to go into his first varsity game. With three talented netminders on the team, Ginal had found playing time somewhat sparse since arriving in Cambridge. So when he was summoned that night, his adrenaline took over. … Read more
Quinnipiac director of athletics and recreation Jack McDonald has been named by the NCAA Championship Cabinet to the Division I Men’s Ice Hockey Committee for a four-year term beginning Sept. 1, 1998. He replaces outgoing committee member Bob DeGregorio, the athletic director at Merrimack. McDonald, who spearheaded the formation of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference’s … Read more
Rosters for the WCHA all-conference and all-rookie teams are as follows: All-WCHA First Team F Brian Swanson Colorado College JrF Jason Blake North Dakota JrF Andre Savage Michigan Tech SrD Curtis Murphy North Dakota SrD Craig Anderson Wisconsin JrG Karl Goehring North Dakota Fr All-WCHA Second Team F Steve Reinprecht Wisconsin SoF Reggie Berg Minnesota … Read more
New Hampshire forward Brandy Fisher has been named the recipient of the inaugural Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award, given to women’s hockey’s top player. Fisher, the 1997-98 ECAC Player of the Year, set ECAC single-season records for goals (41) and points (81) as New Hampshire claimed the first American Women’s College Hockey Alliance championship. She beat … Read more
A balanced draw of six West and six East teams, led by top seeds Michigan State and Boston University, makes up the 1998 NCAA tournament field as announced today by the selection committee. For the first time ever, the field includes three teams from each of the four major Division I conferences. MSU and BU, … Read more
Players from finalist squads dominated the four all-tournament teams selected after yesterday’s championships, as 23 of the 25 all-tourney slots went to members of teams which played in the title games. All four tournament Most Valuable Players came from championship teams. Hockey East honored Boston College’s Marty Reasoner, who totaled 2-3–5 in two games and … Read more
Middlebury claimed its fourth consecutive NCAA Division III championship Saturday, beating Wisconsin-Stevens Point 2-1. The four straight titles are an NCAA record for any level of hockey. Filip Jirousek scored in the first period, and Nickolai Bobrov on the power play in the second to give Middlebury a 2-0 lead, before UWSP’s David Boehm narrowed … Read more
New Hampshire won the first-ever American Women’s College Hockey Alliance tournament final Saturday at Boston’s FleetCenter, and with it the title of unofficial Division I champion. The Wildcats topped the Brown Bears 4-1, avenging a defeat in the ECAC playoff championship. Melissa Renison scored first for Brown just over two minutes into the game, but … Read more