Utica looks to win the UCHC in tight playoff race
In a conference where only six teams advance to the postseason tournament, every game will be a battle, but Utica will likely end up on top in the UCHC and gain the new autobid for the league.
Men’s D-II/III: Elmira
Men’s D-III: St. Norbert leads the way on the All-USCHO D-III teams
National champion St. Norbert led the way on the All-USCHO D-III teams, which had players from 15 schools represented.
Utica the favorite in the new United Collegiate Hockey Conference
The last of the D-III conferences with an ECAC moniker is gone. The former ECAC West has now become the United Collegiate Hockey Conference, or UCHC. The members of the former league, minus Hobart (now a member of the NEHC), have been joined by newcomers King’s College and Chatham University to create a new nine-team … Read more
Zannella leaves Skidmore bench, named assistant men’s coach at Elmira
Elmira has announced the appointment of Mike Zannella as assistant men’s hockey coach for the upcoming 2017-18 season. Zannella, who was also named head golf coach, takes over coaching duties from former assistant Tim Crowley, who has assumed head coaching responsibilities for EC’s women’s hockey program. “We are excited to have Coach Zannella join Elmira … Read more
Hobart’s Olson, Gamache, Taylor cop top honors in ECAC West
The ECAC West named its year-end award-winners on Wednesday, in addition to two All-ECAC West Teams, a team of honorable mentions and the All-Rookie Team. Hobart took three of the four individual honors, as Mac Olson was named player of the year, Ben Gamache took home defensive player of the year honors and Mark Tyalor … Read more
Hobart, Neumann, Elmira could be big three in ECAC West
Last year saw Hobart win the ECAC West regular-season title and then the conference tournament with an overtime win against Neumann. The Statesmen then subsequently suffered a first-round loss in the NCAA tournament to Oswego. Both finalists from last season ranked high in the preseason coaches’ poll, but this always-competitive conference, without the automatic qualifier … Read more
ECAC West has experienced coaches, experienced players ready to win
The team to beat in the ECAC West is … Elmira. That notion wouldn’t have put you out on a limb not too many seasons ago. For half a decade, from 2008 to 2012, the Soaring Eagles owned the spot at the top of the league at the end of the regular season. Each of … Read more
Fratkin hired as top assistant coach for St. Michael’s men’s squad
Wesleyan spring graduate Casey Fratkin has been named the top assistant coach of the Saint Michael’s College men’s team. Fratkin comes to Saint Michael’s after a four-year collegiate playing career split between Wesleyan and Elmira College. He earned his bachelor’s degree in history with a concentration in European history. “I would like to thank Coach … Read more
Elmira-Fredonia game for Jan. 7 rescheduled to Jan. 21
The Elmira at Fredonia game, originally scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 7, has been postponed and moved to Jan. 21 due to the blizzard that has slammed Western New York.
ECAC West has six teams that believe a championship is in their future
Small, but strong. Such is how the six-team ECAC West is shaping up in the early moments of the 2013-14 campaign. Division III’s next-to-smallest conference (only the WIAC with its five teams is tinier) can be described as both cozy and feisty. “I think as coaches, we all believe day in and day out that … Read more
ECAC West 2012-13 season preview: High on Hobart
The ECAC West will have a slightly new look this season. The conference still doesn’t have an automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Tournament, but it has a sixth school again in nascent program Nazareth. It’s the first time the league will be at at a half-dozen teams since Lebanon Valley College downgraded to … Read more
Elmira alum Jackson named Soaring Eagles’ women’s coach
Dean Jackson, who has spent the past five seasons as an assistant with the Elmira men’s team, has been named head coach of the Soaring Eagles’ women’s team. “My family and I are very excited for this fantastic opportunity to lead such a tremendous program,” said Jackson in a news release. “Coach [Greg] Fargo has … Read more
Road comebacks
In early league play, Elmira showed resiliency in two come-from-behind wins.
Starting big
Utica got off to a big start last weekend with an upset of No. 2 Oswego, and looks to build on that start.
ECAC West 2011-2012 Season Preview
Although there was plenty of exciting hockey around the ECAC West last season, there was almost a feeling of the walking dead as well, as fans waited for the final shoe to drop signaling the dissolution of the league. Hope springs eternal however, and the feeling around the league is much more upbeat this October … Read more
Men’s D-III Playoff Preview: Elmira
Elmira Soaring Eagles Last NCAA Appearance: 2010 (First Round win 4-1 against Curry, Quarterfinal OT loss 2-1 to Norwich), 17th NCAA appearance in 36 years (4th straight) Best NCAA Finish: Second — 1980, 1988; Third — 1993, 2006, 2008; Fourth — 1978, 1991 Elmira Team Stats ECAC West Regular Season: 8-3-1 (First) Overall Record: 17-6-4 … Read more
Five get byes as Division III men’s NCAA bracket revealed
St. Norbert, Plattsburgh State, Oswego State, Elmira and Adrian earned first-round byes as the 2011 NCAA Division III men’s tournament bracket was revealed Monday. Hamline, Wisconsin-Superior, Curry, Norwich, Neumann and Bowdoin also earned spots in the field of 11. Those schools will play first-round games Wednesday, with the winners advancing to Saturday’s quarterfinals. Get the … Read more
Elmira coach leaves team to be with injured brother
The Elmira College men’s team will play without head coach Aaron Saul when it takes on Hobart College in the ECAC West semifinals tonight. Saul is in Germany to be with his brother, Adrian, who broke his neck while playing in a hockey game there, according to the Star Gazette. Assistant coach Dean Jackson will … Read more
Commentary: Looking back fondly as I step away from Division III hockey
Chris Lerch saw a lot in 28 years of covering Division III hockey. As he says good-bye, he takes a look back at the highlights.
Elmira looks to balance offensive firepower with goaltending questions
Coach: Aaron Saul, second season at Elmira, fourth season overall (38-34-10) 2009-10 record: 19-9-1 overall, 11-4 ECAC West (first) 2009-10 team offense: 3.72 goals/game (third) 2009-10 team defense : 2.31 goals/game (first) 2009-10 power play: 22.5 percent (fourth) 2009-10 penalty kill: 88.1 percent (first) Key losses: Rusty Masters (16g, 21a), Casey Tuttle (.916 savepercent, 2.40 … Read more