Last year, the outlook for the Minnesota State Mavericks was relatively bleak, due to the lack of upperclassmen. In a sense, it seemed like the only positive was that the Mavericks returned both goaltenders. The end result, however, was sunny, with coach Troy Jutting’s squad finishing tied for fourth in the league and just on … Read more
Last year was supposed to be a continuation of an upward swing for the Michigan Tech Huskies. The Huskies were set in net and defensively. The only knock against them was that they needed a bit more offense. The coaches thought this would see them finish seventh in the league; I thought perhaps higher. Instead, … Read more
If nothing else can be said about Walt Kyle — and plenty can be said about the Northern Michigan head coach — he certainly has a way with words. Kyle is obviously jazzed about the Wildcats’ prospects this season. “I think one of the reasons we’ll be strong is because of our leadership,” says Kyle, … Read more
In 2007-08, Lake Superior State showed the league what a Laker team was without superstar goaltender Jeff Jakaitis — a team that went from 11 league wins and eighth place in both 2005-06 and 2006-07, to a 10th-place team with seven conference wins and a 12-game winless streak to bookend the midseason break. “We hope … Read more
There’s nothing complicated about the Ferris State Bulldogs. They play hard. They win games. They have depth and good special teams. They’re well coached. It’s just that a Chris Kunitz doesn’t come along very often for a team like Ferris State. At the CCHA media day this year, head coach Bob Daniels was keenly aware … Read more
“As far as our club,” says Bowling Green head coach Scott Paluch, “we’re going to get going.” Paluch, now entering his seventh season behind the BG bench, is a sincere and genuinely optimistic guy. It’s hard not to respond to the earnestness of his voice when he talks about his team’s future — and last … Read more
According to Bemidji State head coach Tom Serratore, the Beavers have a lot to prove this season. “We’re young, we have depth and we play 19 games on the road,” said Serratore. “We’ll find out what we’re made of early on against Mankato and Air Force.” Goaltender Matt Climie graduated last spring and used his … Read more
College Hockey America will operate for the 2008-2009 season, but beyond that is anyone’s guess. Even interim commissioner Ed McLaughlin doesn’t have all the answers. He has ideas and questions, but nothing concrete. Yet. “We’re at the mercy of the NCAA,” said McLaughlin. After Wayne State eliminated their program at the conclusion of this past … Read more
If the CCHA is truly a two-tiered league as Northern Michigan Walt Kyle says, then Kyle’s Wildcats are chipping away at the supports, says Dave Starman.
Bemidji State and the WCHA have reached a future scheduling agreement involving the Bemidji State men’s ice hockey program. Beginning with the 2010-11 season, and in conjunction with the opening of the Bemidji Regional Events Center, the WCHA will include in its annual composite schedule guaranteed home contests in men’s ice hockey at Bemidji State. … Read more
Site: Mark Edward Freitas Ice Forum, Storrs, Conn. Saturday-Sunday, Dec. 29-30, 2007 Participants: Brown, Ferris State, Army, Connecticut Game 1: Ferris State vs. Brown, 4:05 p.m. ET Ferris State Bulldogs (7-8-1, 6-6-0 CCHA) Head coach: Bob Daniels Leading scorers: So. Cody Chupp (4-8 — 12), Jr. Brendan Connolly (5-6 — 11) Leading netminders: Jr. Mitch … Read more
Site: Magness Arena (Denver) Friday-Saturday, Dec. 28-29, 2007 Participants: Dartmouth, Northern Michigan, Sacred Heart, Denver Game 1: Dartmouth vs. Northern Michigan, 4:35 p.m. MT Dartmouth Big Green (4-4-2, 2-4-1 ECAC) Head coach: Bob Gaudet Leading scorers: Sr. J.T. Wyman (6-6 — 12), Sr. Nick Johnson (3-5 — 8) Leading netminder: Sr. Mike Devine (3-4-1, 2.62 … Read more
Site: Joe Louis Arena, Detroit Friday-Saturday, Dec. 28-29, 2007 Participants: Providence, Michigan, Michigan State, Michigan Tech Game 1: Providence vs. Michigan, 4:35 p.m. ET Providence Friars (6-6-2, 4-3-2 Hockey East) Head coach: Tim Army Leading scorers: Sr. Jon Rheault (8-8 — 16), Jr. Matt Taormina (5-11 — 16) Leading netminder: Sr. Tyler Sims (5-5-1, 2.16 … Read more
Site: Kohl Center, Madison, Wis. Friday-Saturday, Dec. 28-29, 2007 Participants: Bowling Green, Northeastern, Colgate, Wisconsin Game 1: Bowling Green vs. Northeastern, 4:05 p.m. CT Bowling Green Falcons (8-6-0, 5-5-0 CCHA) Head coach: Scott Paluch Leading scorers: Sr. Derek Whitmore (13-5 — 18), Jr. Kevin Schmidt (3-11 — 14) Leading netminders: Fr. Nick Eno (5-2-0, 2.29 … Read more
The CCHA announced that sophomore forward Kai Kantola of Bowling Green has been suspended for three games as the result of a checking-from-behind incident that occurred in a game at BGSU Ice Arena on October 23 against Notre Dame. The supplemental disciplinary action was taken by the CCHA after a review of the incident that … Read more
It may be a trying season for Bemidji State, as the Beavers may struggle to score goals. If they had a weak defense coming back, that would be a recipe for catastrophe, but BSU has a stellar back end returning and three goalies who present a good problem for head coach Tom Serratore. Senior Matt … Read more
There are two ways to define the 2007-08 Northern Michigan Wildcats: 1. Young. This is a roster that includes 17 sophomores and freshmen. 2. Really young. Not only will the Wildcats play as many as 15 underclassmen per game, but the average age of the NMU team is just over 20 years. Five of the … Read more
When you think of the 2006-07 Bowling Green Falcons, two things come to mind immediately: 1. Jonathan Matsumoto was a superstar. With 11 goals and 22 assists, the Falcons junior led the team in scoring. He also had six power-play goals. 2. In every possible way, BGSU was a last-place team. Last year’s Falcons were … Read more
What two things immediately come to mind when you think of the Ferris State Bulldogs? 1. They play a rather, um, tough brand of hockey. Ferris State was the third most-penalized team in CCHA play last season with 18.71 minutes per game, and the 13th most-penalized team in the NCAA. 2. The Bulldogs don’t really … Read more
If the 2006-07 Lake Superior State Lakers could be defined by just two things, they would be these: 1. Jeff Jakaitis. The senior goaltender finished the season with the 19th-best goals-against average in the NCAA (2.31), but the second-best save percentage (.931). 2. Injuries. The Lakers were so beaten up by the end of the … Read more