Still Learning Neumann had a wild up-and-down series against Utica last weekend. The Knights scored four goals in the first period on Friday night and then cruised to a 9-2 victory. Things were looking equally good in Saturday’s game as Neumann found itself on top 3-2 after two periods. But then the wheels came off … Read more
Double Zero Hobart walked into the Aud in Utica last Friday night on a roll. The Statesmen had won each of their last five games, outscoring their opponents 31-12 in that span, and had not lost a game since early December. But as the 2,900 plus fans filtered into their seats, working in the back … Read more
Spirited Contests Utica traveled downstate to Manhattanville’s Playland Ice Casino last Saturday to take on the Valiants. As was expected, it was a very physical battle as these two teams began the second half of their league schedules. “It was a spirited contest,†said Utica head coach Gary Heenan. “It was a great hockey game … Read more
Ready for the Grind Five weeks, that is all the time that the ECAC West teams have left to make or break their season. With the exception of two non-conference games, all of the remaining contests on the schedule are within the league. The stretch run begins now. With the non-conference part of the schedule … Read more
A Bump in the Road Prior to the holidays, the Neumann Knights were rolling along, enjoying a five game unbeaten streak. Despite a hiccup against Elmira and an overtime loss to Hobart, Neumann rebounded to go 2-0-1 against Manhattanville and solidify its position as a contender in the league. Then came the Times-Argus tournament on … Read more
Becoming Veterans Utica’s primary objective with this year’s freshman class was to add scoring punch to its already solid defensive play. At the midway point of the season, it looks like the Pioneers are well on their way to satisfying that goal and are on pace to exceed last year’s scoring total by more than … Read more
Unfamiliar Territory Manhattanville finds itself in a situation that it hasn’t seen in a while. The Valiants were swept two weekends ago at Neumann, the first time that has happened since January 12 and 13, 2001 when they lost to Oswego and Cortland. As if that wasn’t enough, with a 1-2 record Manhattanville is off … Read more
Old Neumann Hockey When you think of Neumann hockey, particularly since the team started to become competitive in the ECAC West four seasons ago, a few common traits come to mind. Attributes like hard-nosed skilled forwards and solid goaltending are usually bantered about. The Knights have had so much turnover in the last two seasons, … Read more
Searching for an Identity Elmira has arguably faced one of the most difficult schedules to open the season. The Soaring Eagles hosted Oswego three weeks ago and then hit the road for a game at Plattsburgh and a rematch in the Lakers’ barn. The stretch started off well with a 3-2 win over the Lakers, … Read more
Crossing the Pond Over the last couple of years, Manhattanville’s roster has taken on a very international flavor. It has been the norm for years to see NCAA college hockey rosters loaded with hometowns in Alberta, Ontario, Quebec, or British Columbia. But the Valiants have extended the recruiting path even farther and now count almost … Read more
Entering last season, the big question mark for Manhattanville was in net as the Valiants attempted to find a replacement for first-team All American Andrew Gallant. Down the stretch, freshman Steve Parry seemed to step to the forefront culminating with a huge shutout of Elmira in the ECAC West Championship game to lift Manhattanville to … Read more
For most teams in the ECAC West this season, player turnover has been rampant. With the exception of Hobart, every team is adding a double-digit sized class of freshmen to their rosters. The league hasn’t seen fresh talent of this magnitude in a single season in a long time. Whichever team can get their freshmen … Read more
Another summer has gone by at Neumann College, and another late coaching change has occurred. After completing only one season at the helm, Phil Roy left Neumann in August for an assistant position at D-I Merrimack. Neumann College athletic director Chuck Sack scrambled — again — and hired Dominik Dawes in mid-September. Dawes, a 2004 … Read more
Lebanon Valley coach Ted Russell enters his second season at the helm of the Flying Dutchmen this month. Having had an entire year to recruit, he has brought in 18 freshmen in an attempt to turn around the team’s fortunes. Combined with last year’s class of newcomers, there is definitely a youth movement afoot at … Read more
The Elmira Soaring Eagles have had all summer to dwell on the old cliché “You’re only as good as your last game.†Elmira was up 2-0 just five minutes into its NCAA semi-final game in Lake Placid last March, only to watch as Plattsburgh skated circles around them as the Cardinals eventually won 6-3. “When … Read more
When you think of Hobart hockey players, two factors usually come to mind: character and role players. Statesmen head coach Mark Taylor is known for recruiting players that are good, all-around kids that each fits a specific place in the puzzle. Shawn Houde, who graduated from Hobart last spring, was perhaps the epitome of the … Read more
The calendar may have turned to the next season in Utica but it is more of the same for the Pioneers. The fans that pack the Aud, leading the nation in attendance for the past two years, like their hockey fast and physical. The fans should love this year’s class of 11 freshman, half of … Read more
The NCAA announced Friday the final rosters for the 2008 Frozen Four Skills Challenge, which will be held April 11 at the Pepsi Center in Denver. For the East team, Will Engasser, Yale, Brad Flaishans, New Hampshire and David Leaderer, Massachusetts were all added to the roster. Meanwhile, Eric Ehn, Air Force, Nino Musitelli, Miami … Read more
The Magic Ingredient When Elmira skated off the ice after warm-ups for last Saturday’s NCAA Quarterfinal game against Trinity, the packed house of fans were treated to quite the surprise as the players removed their helmets. The Soaring Eagles players were sporting Mohawk style haircuts. “All of our players got them,†said Elmira coach Tim … Read more
Elmira Soaring Eagles (19-3-5 overall, 10-2-3 in ECAC West) After starting the season undefeated in its first 19 games, some might say that the Elmira Soaring Eagles backed into the NCAA tournament. Elmira went a rather mediocre 2-3-3 over the last month as the ECAC West beat up each other down the stretch. However, the … Read more