Can it be? Yes, as hard as it is to believe for both players and coaches, this next week represents the final games in the regular season. For some, it’s a chance to improve a playoff position; for others an opportunity to play more hockey in February and beyond. And for others, it’s a must-win … Read more
The postseason is about to get underway, and Chris Lerch delivers his nationwide predictions for league playoffs. Plus, he checks in with UMass-Dartmouth to find the secret to the Corsairs’ success.
Chris Lerch looks at some well-attended games, as well as the rise of MSOE in This Week in Division III.
There is an old expression in New England. If you don’t like the weather, wait 10 minutes. The variability in climate in this part of the country is interesting to say the least and so is a look at the league standings after a single weekend of play at this point in the season. Teams … Read more
The ECAC Board of Directors has announced the appointment of Stephen R. Bamford as Interim Commissioner. Bamford began his tenure at the ECAC in August, 2000 and has served as assistant commissioner for officiating and compliance. Prior to the ECAC, Bamford was the director of athletics at Plymouth State University for 13 years. … Read more
Some teams are putting disctance from themselves and the rest of the pack as Chris Lerch reports in This Week in Division III.
February 2nd… A day we all wait religiously to find out whether or not we should keep the winter clothes out for another couple of months based on the ability of a large rodent in Pennsylvania to see his own shadow. With all due respect to Punxsutawney Phil, I am not one to buy-in to … Read more
Statement games! When a team plays virtually the perfect game and far exceeds the anticipated result in their favor – that’s a statement game! Examples? Middlebury 9-1 over Bowdoin Norwich 7-0 over Trinity Curry 11-0 over Wentworth All three teams made statements in their recent wins over perennial rivals that have historically posed difficulties for … Read more
It’s Upset City as St. Olaf, Tufts and Cortland rise up to beat their higher-ranked rivals. But is this a trend that will last? Chris Lerch takes a look at these upsets and breaks down the initial 2006 USCHO.com Pairwise Rankings.
Phil Buttafuoco has resigned his position as the Commissioner of the ECAC. His tenure at the ECAC started on July 1, 1998 as he came from the NCAA. His tenure at the ECAC saw the creation of the ECAC Men’s Division I lacrosse league in 1999. It also saw the Men’s and Women’s Division I … Read more
The Hockey Humanitarian Foundation today announced seven outstanding student athletes who were selected as finalists for the 2006 Hockey Humanitarian Award. The finalists, listed in alphabetical order, are: Janelle Armitage, Sr., University of Connecticut Eric Leroux, Sr., Princeton University Drew Miller, Jr., Michigan State University Mason Oakes, Sr., Lawrence University Jaime Sifers, Sr., University of … Read more
Any coach will tell you that if you are going to be competitive and win hockey games, you need to have some solid goaltending. Having a consistent guy between the pipes can be the difference in winning and losing and on occasion help your team steal a win in a game that they maybe didn’t … Read more
When is a forfeit not a forfeit? Chirs Lerch looks at the situation at Bethel, plus rolls out his Power Ratings.
At the beginning of the season, Norwich looked to be just another average team after years of being among DIII’s best. Now on a nine-game win streak, the Cadets seem to be heading back to their winning ways. Chris Lerch finds out how the Cadets got back on track, and gives us some players to watch for in the second half of the 2005-2006 season.
It’s hard to believe, but there are only about six weeks left in the regular season as the teams start looking to play there best hockey down the stretch. No doubt the holiday hangovers have to be quickly swept aside and the focus needs to be there each game with some pivotal match-ups in league … Read more
While playoff contenders shake off the holiday rust, Chris Lerch profiles two teams-Neumann and Wisconsin-Stout-who have surprised most observers with their strong starts. Can they keep up their momentum and compete for a playoff spot?
Happy New Year! 2006 is starting out with a flourish as teams get back to the ice and look to work off some indulgences taken over the holiday break. For some squads, the holiday season represented a chance to flex some muscle in some classic seasonal tournaments. While for other teams, the break represented a … Read more
“It’s the most wonderful time of the year…” Really, it is! The holidays are upon us (reminder to self–only 9 shopping days left out there) and for many teams there is a lot to be celebratory about in the first half of the season. For others the stockings are a bit mixed on the present … Read more
As the holiday break approaches, Chris Lerch hands out his midterm grades to leagues all across Division III-from the expected powerhouse performance of Middlebury to the sudden downfall of Minnesota-Crookston.
Just about a month into the season and already some interesting races are starting to heat up in each of the three divisions. Finishing the first half of the season on a high note will be important as teams look to build up positive momentum prior to breaking for the holidays. Let’s take a look … Read more