This Week in Atlantic Hockey: Feb. 16, 2006

Jim Connelly is out of commission for a few days, but never fear, he will return next week with another edition of “This Week in Atlantic Hockey.” First In Line With six regular-season games left for every Atlantic Hockey team, three teams are left with realistic hopes of winning the title. Holy Cross, Mercyhurst and … Read more

This Week in the WCHA: Feb. 16, 2006

First things first: • Many eyes will be on Minneapolis this weekend as Minnesota and Denver, the top two teams in the WCHA, square off for control with the number of remaining games dwindling. Our thoughts? Enjoy the show. • Brian Elliott will return to the goal for Wisconsin for one game this weekend. Is … Read more

This Week in the CHA: Feb. 16, 2006

What an oddball year this has been in College Hockey America. Alabama-Huntsville and Bemidji State are 1-2 in the standings and Niagara sits tied with the Beavers. Was that much expected? Perhaps. But for the bottom three, most figured Wayne State would be in the No. 4 range, maybe even No. 3, and Robert Morris … Read more

U.S. Men Rebound At Olympics With Win Over Kazakhstan

Rebounding from Wednesday’s disappointing tie with Latvia, the U.S. men’s Olympic team scored a 4-1 win over Kazakhstan Thursday to raise its preliminary-round record to 1-0-1. The contest was a must-win for the Americans, who have yet to face their toughest competition in preliminary group play. U.S. goaltender Rick DiPietro (Boston University) made 11 saves … Read more

This Week in Hockey East: Feb. 16, 2006

Dave Hendrickson is not available this week because he’s enjoying a lucrative new endorsement deal. Will Dave actually tell his readers what he’s endorsing? Depends. Pot Pluck Yes, BU won its 10th Beanpot in 12 years and — thanks to a legendary baseball swing by Peter MacArthur — the Terriers are now batting .500 in … Read more

This Week in the CCHA: Feb. 16, 2006

Love Those RedHawks Congratulations to the 2006 CCHA regular-season champions, the Miami RedHawks! With a 6-3 home win over Ohio State Tuesday night — Valentine’s Day — Miami captured its first regular-season title since 1992-1993. Enrico Blasi, Miami’s sometimes stoic head coach with a very dry wit, said, “For the last 11 seconds, I actually … Read more

This Week in the ECACHL: Feb. 16, 2006

The hourglass is running out on the 2005-06 ECACHL regular season, but as time flies by the playoff picture in the league does not appear to be growing any clearer. If anything, the number of teams in contention for coveted spots (the bye teams and teams that will host a first round ECACHL playoff series) … Read more

Pioneering Spirit

Denver’s Matt Carle has been through the fire, and as the Pioneers prepare for Minnesota, Dave Starman says the junior defenseman is poised for the ultimate individual honor.

Bracketology: Feb. 15, 2006

The merry-go-round continues as the regular season winds down. Jayson Moy returns with his weekly look at the NCAA tournament selection process.

Minnesota’s Irmen Returns To Practice, Denver Series Status Uncertain

Minnesota’s men’s hockey team now has two players wearing jerseys with white crosses on them in practice. That addition occurred Tuesday as star junior forward Danny Irmen returned to the ice. Irmen missed last weekend’s series at Michigan Tech after suffering a third-degree separation to his right shoulder in the Gophers’ 3-1 win Jan. 28 … Read more

First Of All

Michigan is 12-2-1 this season when it scores the first goal of the game — but it’s a different matter when the opposition gets out of the gate.

Tuesday Morning Quarterback: West

Ladies and gentlemen, we have a CCHA regular-season champion, not to mention an historic game before 40,000 fans in subfreezing weather. Scott Brown reports.

Beanpot Notebook

The two previous Beanpots have had at least one overtime game. Last year’s tournament featured two, each involving Northeastern. When BC’s Stephen Gionta scored to tie the game at two goals apiece at 6:24 of the third period, it looked like this year’s tournament might have an overtime game after all. However, Tournament MVP Peter … Read more

The Chessmaster

What difference does a coach make with X’s and O’s in a big game? Jim Connelly finds that when the coach is Jack Parker, the answer is a lot.

BC, BU Play For Beanpot Championship

When the puck drops at the TD Banknorth Garden tonight for the championship game in the 54th Beanpot tournament, it will be a rather familiar scene. For the 17th time in the illustrious history of the college hockey tournament between four Boston schools, the two Commonwealth Avenue rivals, Boston College and Boston University, will settle … Read more