Four teams, one chance in Atlantic Hockey championship

The final four Atlantic Hockey teams will settle things this weekend, each on a different mission with the same goal in mind. “The teams here have different motivations,” said Rochester Institute of Technology coach Wayne Wilson. “For UConn, it’s been four years and Holy Cross is new to coming to Rochester. Air Force won three … Read more

Tuesday Morning Quarterback: Earning the waiting game

The teams that will be sweating out the conference tournaments, waiting to see whether they get into the NCAA tournament, have earned that position, Jim Connelly and Todd D. Milewski write in this week’s edition.

Commentary: For the 2011 Starzies, the nominees are …

The CBS College Sports Network, the national home of college hockey, will announce the winners of the third annual Starzies this weekend during the ECAC championship tournament in Atlantic City, N.J. There are eight awards which are given out and each award is the namesake of a former great college player or coach. The awards, … Read more

After drama-filled weekend, Mercyhurst, Atlantic Hockey look forward

Well, you can say this about the first weekend of the new Atlantic Hockey playoff format: There was plenty of drama. All four lower-seeded teams advanced and will face the four bye teams in best-of-three quarterfinal series this weekend. “When it’s a one-game series, anything can and does happen,” said Mercyhurst coach Rick Gotkin, whose … Read more

Ginand leaves Mercyhurst for AHL’s Sound Tigers

Even though his season isn’t over yet, Mercyhurst forward Phil Ginand has left the Lakers and signed an amateur tryout with the Bridgeport Sound Tigers of the American Hockey League. Ginand, who hasn’t played for Mercyhurst since Feb. 12, registered 12 goals and 20 points in 27 games this year. In his freshman year two … Read more

Tuesday Morning Quarterback: Road-ice advantage?

Eight of the 11 first-round series (or, in Atlantic Hockey’s case, games) went in favor of the road team last weekend. How will things shake out this weekend? Jim Connelly and Todd D. Milewski break things down in this week’s edition.

Plenty of senior moments around Atlantic Hockey

There’s a bounty crop of Atlantic Hockey players finishing up their college careers this season, especially when it comes to forwards. Several teams are going to have to replace a lot of points after this season. As the final weekend of the regular season approaches (a look at the playoff picture for each team can … Read more

More composed Madolora on the rise for RIT

Rochester Institute of Technology goaltender Shane Madolora’s first start this season was a baptism by fire. Struggling with an ankle injury, the sophomore was competing in what was then a three-goalie rotation to see who would fill the shoes of the departed Jared DeMichiel. In front of a record 10,556 fans at Rochester’s Blue Cross … Read more

Madolora, Cannata, Gron named USCHO’s Three Stars for Feb. 16

THIRD STAR Tyler Gron, Northern Michigan: The Wildcats junior brought his team back from a 4-1 deficit with a hat trick last Saturday in a game NMU won 6-5. He added an assist on Saturday and a goal on Friday for a five-point weekend. :: Tyler Gron’s player page SECOND STAR Joe Cannata, Merrimack: The … Read more

Goaltending helps put Holy Cross in line for Atlantic Hockey bye

When I talked to Holy Cross coach Paul Pearl this week, he took me to task for worrying too much about pods and standings. I’ve been harping for a while now on my low opinion of the new Atlantic Hockey playoff format, while Pearl’s team has been just going out and playing good hockey. “You’ve … Read more

Every upcoming pod game huge for Robert Morris

Robert Morris has had a promising first year in Atlantic Hockey. The Colonials are 15-8-4 overall and 10-6-4 in league play, good for third place. RMU’s 15 wins is already the most in school history. Its 5-2 non-conference record is the best in the league. There’s no doubt in coach Derek Schooley’s mind that the … Read more

Saunders, Lamoureux, Polacek named USCHO’s Three Stars for Feb. 2

THIRD STAR Chase Polacek, Rensselaer: The Engineers senior put together a five-point weekend, including a goal and two assists as RPI upended then-No. 1 Yale. He also had the game-winning goal and an assist against Brown. :: Chase Polacek’s player page SECOND STAR Jacques Lamoureux, Air Force: The senior had a pair of two-goal games … Read more

Learning to love Atlantic Hockey’s pods

With five weekends left in the regular season, the Atlantic Hockey standings are shaping up a lot like the coaches expected at the beginning of the season. The six western scheduling “pod” teams hold down the top six spots in the standings. This will make for a very unbalanced playoff bracket if things stay that … Read more

Gudmandson, Miele, Leets named USCHO’s Three Stars for Jan. 26

THIRD STAR Ryan Leets, Army: He had just set a collegiate best with 42 saves a game earlier, but the sophomore goaltender did it one better last Friday against Robert Morris, stopping 43 shots in a 3-1 victory. He added 30 saves in a 2-2 tie Saturday for a 73-save weekend. :: Ryan Leets’ player … Read more