This year’s championship was the first Division III men’s ice hockey championship game ever televised to a national audience. Having a TV audience had several effects on the game — both large and small — over the course of the afternoon. Pre-game interviews with each of the head coaches were recorded about two hours before … Read more
Finalists Announced for the Edward Jeremiah Award Eleven coaches have been named finalists for the Edward Jeremiah Award, given annually to the College Division (NCAA Division III) Men’s Ice Hockey Coach of the Year. Coaches of teams advancing to the Division III finals as well as those named coaches of the year in their respective … Read more
Sunday’s national championship game is the second matchup for the title in three seasons between Middlebury and St. Norbert. The two teams split time this season at No. 1 in the USCHO.com poll. The Panthers won the the first of their two consecutive titles — and their sixth overall — in overtime, 1-0, at Norwich … Read more
The American Hockey Coaches Association has issued its selections for the 2006 Division III All-American teams. In all, players from 13 different schools were selected, including seven from teams playing in the Division III Frozen Four. East First Team: Goal – George Papachristopoulos, Sr., Bowdoin Defense – Jon Landry, Sr., Bowdoin Defense – Jeff Smith, … Read more
It would be hard for anyone to argue with the success the Middlebury College Panthers have exhibited in winning seven of the past eleven national championships since the NESCAC school was allowed to play in the tournament, starting in 1995. Head Coach Bill Beaney has had very talented teams in winning those championships, but the … Read more
In previous seasons, the week between the NCAA Quarterfinal and Semifinal rounds can best be characterized as a mad scramble by the school chosen to host the final two rounds of the playoffs. Historically, the right to host the Division III men’s ice hockey championship weekend has been awarded to one of the four remaining … Read more
Chris Lerch plays the old game of “Fact or Fiction” in This Week in Division III.
Let’s play word association. Go up to a college sports fan and mention Hobart. Most likely, the response will be “lacrosse”. That would be very logical. After all, Hobart lacrosse has been insanely successful. They have won 16 national championships (one USILA title before the NCAA awarded the trophy, two in Division II, and 13 … Read more
Panthers peaking at right time to take on upstart UMass-Dartmouth In looking at this Saturday’s match-up between Middlebury and UMass-Dartmouth, Middlebury coach Bill Beaney is confident that his Panthers are playing their best hockey of the year right now. Following their dominating performances against conference rivals Wesleyan, Hamilton and Bowdoin in the NESCAC tournament, Middlebury … Read more
St. Norbert has won just about everything — except a national title. On the eve of another NCAA tournament for the Green Knights, Matthew Webb reports on one team’s chance at history.
Re-Match Part Deux Two years ago, almost to the day, Norwich hosted Hobart in the 2004 NCAA quarterfinals. The teams experienced the most wild momentum swings perhaps every seen in Division III tournament play during that contest. Norwich rolled out to a quick 4-0 lead, before Hobart chipped in five unanswered goals to hold a … Read more
The Rematch Lack of familiarity with their opponent is not one of the excuses that either Elmira or Manhattanville will be able to use following this Saturday’s NCAA Quarterfinal game at Manhattanville’s Playland Arena. These two ECAC West foes met three times during the regular season with the Valiants holding a slim 2-1 advantage. “It … Read more
First Round, First Times It’s been three years since Wisconsin-Superior has played in the NCAA Tournament. It’s the first time St. Olaf has ever played in the NCAA Tournament. Fittingly, those two teams will square off in the first round of the 2006 NCAA Tournament. The Yellowjackets stunned St. Norbert in the NCHA Playoffs to … Read more
This intriguing matchup features a tale of two coaches-a first-year coach who guided his team to a repeat SUNYAC title, and a long-time mentor whose team captured its seventh title under his guidance, but is making its first NCAA appearance. UMass-Dartmouth is in the postseason for the 22nd time under John Rolli, but this is … Read more
The selection is just hours away. Veteran D-III prognosticator Chris Lerch provides his picks.
Bids were announced Sunday night for the 2006 NCAA Division III men’s ice hockey championship. This season marks the expansion of the tournament to a 10-team field. For the first time, three at-large bids were awarded to teams from the ECAC West. The Pool B berth was awarded to Manhattanville, which lost in the ECAC … Read more
Chris Lerch looks at who’s in, who’s out, and who’s on the bubble in his final column of the regular season.
NCAA Tournament Bids on the Line March Madness is upon us. No, not the men’s basketball NCAA Tournament, but the MIAC and NCHA championship games. If anyone from the MIAC wants to be playing in the NCAA Tournament, they will have to win the conference tournament. It doesn’t look as if any team has played … Read more
Coming Down to the Wire After one round of the NCHA playoffs, three teams made it through as expected, but one did not. I’ll give you a preview of the semifinals and what you can expect from the four teams vying for the Peters Cup. The MIAC has one weekend of play remaining and while … Read more
Chris Lerch looks at two teams on the NCAA bubble, as well as D-III Bracketlology, Part II.