At many schools, players are either taking finals this week or preparing to take them next week. The two teams that travel farthest this week by bus, Northern Michigan and Ohio State, warm up the bus only after players have finished finals. Finals. Christmas. Family. Mom’s cooking. Who wouldn’t be distracted? One coach confided, "I … Read more
In October, when the leaves were turning southern Michigan into a rolling patchwork of color, Tyler Harlton missed the open sky of the western Canadian prairie. The Pense, Sask., native could appreciate the beauty of autumn in East Lansing, but he couldn’t help feeling penned in. “When you’re surrounded by trees on all sides, it … Read more
The American poet laureate Robert Penn Warren put it this way: "You’ll have to rethink the whole question." What question will you ask, fan of the CCHA, and do you know how to ask it? Does any CCHA question have an answer now? Well, perhaps. The Michigan State Spartans demonstrated why they are the top … Read more
Well, no–and no. Two of the top teams in the CCHA play in The College Hockey Showcase this weekend, and six other teams are engaged in conference play that will definitely have some bearing on the CCHA playoffs. No. 1 Michigan State sits on top of the CCHA as well as the college hockey world … Read more
Appearances can be deceptive. While Michigan State is at the top of the USCHO poll, Northern Michigan is actually on top of the CCHA. At 6-1-1 in league play, the Wildcats have two more points than Michigan State. They’ve also played one more game. Last week the ‘Cats beat Alaska-Fairbanks, 5-4 and 7-3. This week, … Read more
Rick Comley pauses to think before he answers a question. Why did Northern Michigan leave the CCHA for the WCHA in the first place? Comley laughs. “I’m sure for lots of good reasons, when you think back.” The cover of this year’s Wildcats’ media guide says, “Charging back into the CCHA.” Maybe it should read, … Read more
Consistency: n.1. firmness or thickness, as of a liquid 2. agreement; harmony 3. conformity with previous practice. How many CCHA coaches can use this word — in any of its forms — in this week’s preview? John Markell says, "We’re still trying to establish respect, and we do that by playing more consistently." Red Berenson … Read more
Further proof that something mysterious is taking place in the CCHA: Northern Michigan head coach Rick Comley says that this week’s series in Marquette against Michigan will be "fun." Fun. And did you know that Comley takes fillings without anesthesia and regularly rents the movie Camille Claudel, just for fun? All funning aside, there’s some … Read more
Are you scared yet? As the CCHA enters its third week of play, spooky things are happening all over the league. Ferris State split a series with Western Michigan. Notre Dame lost yet another game by one goal. Michigan State beat Michigan in Yost, for the first time since the 1993-94 season. And for those … Read more
After a week of nonconference play, it’s difficult to say who’s at the top of the CCHA heap, but because Michigan State won the Ice Breaker Invitational, the Spartans get the honors. The Spartans beat Boston University 3-1 and Wisconsin 2-1 to take the first tournament of the season, and the first tournament title of … Read more
The Northern Michigan University Board of Control has approved a plan calling for the construction of a new campus event center, slated to go up by mid-1999. Construction will begin on the $9.5 million project next spring. Of the new arena, Mike Roy, vice president for finance and administration, said, “It will offer individual seating … Read more
The Michigan State Spartans, coming off a third-place, 23-13-4 season and a first-round NCAA tournament loss, have been anointed the team to beat by CCHA coaches and media. “It’s nice to know going in that you are among the group that has a chance to win the league,” said MSU head coach Ron Mason. “But … Read more
Dan Price, a forward for the Bowling Green Falcons, was injured and another passenger killed Saturday night in an automobile accident near Marysville, Ohio, north of Columbus. The Columbus Dispatch reported Monday that Price was driving when the car struck a ditch along Route 38, just south of Marysville, and flipped over. Neither Price nor … Read more
According to the Bowling Green Sentinel-Tribune, Falcon defenseman Peter Ratchuk has renounced his three remaining years of NCAA eligibility to sign with the NHL’s Colorado Avalanche. Ratchuk, a 6-foot, 175-pound native of Buffalo, N.Y., scored nine goals and added 12 assists for Bowling Green in his rookie campaign last season, garnering honorable mention designation on … Read more
CCHA commissioner Bill Beagan, who is in his 13th year, has announced his retirement effective June 30, 1998. “I made my decision to retire two years ago,” said Beagan. “It was the right decision then, and it is the right decision now. I can think of no place on this planet that I would have … Read more
According to the Hobey Baker selection committee, a Hobey Baker Award winner should “exhibit strength of character” and possess “oustanding skills in all aspects of the game.” According to Michigan head coach Red Berenson, this year’s Hobey Baker winner is “an excellent person” who “shares his success with his teammates.” And this year’s winner is … Read more
Randy Robitaille, sophomore center for the Miami Redskins, signed a contract with the Boston Bruins on Monday. Robitaille will play for the Bruins on Thursday night; financial terms of the contract were not disclosed. “It’s better than first-round money,” says Miami head coach Mark Mazzoleni. “This is a great situation for me, not only because … Read more
CCHA Playoffs: Championships CCHA Playoffs: Championships by Paula C. Weston The states of Michigan and Ohio are equally represented in this year’s CCHA Championship Tournament. It’s no surprise that Michigan, Michigan State, and Miami advanced to the semifinals, but Bowling Green had to win two on the road to earn the right to travel north … Read more
Returning honorees Brendan Morrison of Michigan and Andy Roach of Ferris State and top vote-getter Randy Robitaille of Miami head up the All-CCHA First Team, announced by the league March 9. The team consists of the three highest vote-getting forwards, the two highest defensemen, and the top goalie. This is the third time Morrison has … Read more