Men’s D-I in general
It was an up-and-down start to the season for Hockey East teams, but fighting a different battle is Merrimack coach Chris Serino, who remains in good spirits trying to fight cancer. Dave Hendrickson gives his take on this and other matters.
With the CCHA’s move to a 12- (read: “all 12”) team postseason format, two more of the league’s member schools gain a second chance at success — and the conference gains some extra ticket sales. Also, Western Michigan confronts Michigan in the Game(s) of the Week after a disappointing start. Paula C. Weston reports.
The MAAC’s nonconference beginning is less than fans, players and coaches might have hoped for; also, the Scholarship Question raises its head again. Jim Connelly reports.
A number of WCHA teams are off to flying starts, not the least of which being Alaska-Anchorage. No, the Seawolves are not 2-0 like many of their bretheren, but they did go 1-0-1 in front of a large and lively home crowd, as new coach John Hill made his debut. That, the replay rule debate, and more is a click away.
The ECAC is still ramping up, with Colgate looking to start on the right foot, St. Lawrence trying to regain its footing, and Union looking for a little respect.
Blaise MacDonald returns to Hockey East and to Lowell, bringing with him a set of standards and goals that are new for River Hawk hockey, but tried and true for MacDonald himself.
Joe Marsh begins another season behind the St. Lawrence bench, with the memories of Sept. 11 and the loss of two ex-players still fresh in his mind.
The MAAC has experienced a mixed bag in its early action, but Jim Connellysays not to worry. Also: a rundown and analysis of the league’s preseason all-conference squad.
Given recent events in college hockey and around the world, Dave Hendrickson holds out hope that the new season can provide a much-needed concept: fun. Also: good news for PC’s Matt Curran; tidbits around the league; and Dave offers further anecdotes on the life of Shawn Walsh.
Wisconsin eyes the days-old world attendance record; St. Cloud shows its fleetness of foot; and Sioux fans have a literery gift to enjoy. Todd D. Milewski opens the WCHA season.
With the ECAC now offering its members an expanded nonconference season, Jayson Moy and Becky Blaeser take a look at the fine art of scheduling. Also: Clarkson tries to forget the past, and the Iron Columnists’ picks challenge returns.
In her opening CCHA column of the season, Paula C. Weston previews the loaded Maverick Stampede, salutes lightly-regarded Alaska-Fairbanks, and makes a plea re:September 11, 2001.
Years in the thinking, months in the making, Saturday’s “Outdoor Game” was a spectacular display of the power and popularity of college hockey in the state of Michigan, and could be a trendsetter in the hockey world at large.
The Franklin Pierce College men’s ice hockey team will upgrade to NCAA Division II status and has accepted an invitation to participate in the ECAC Northeast Division beginning in the 2002-03 academic year after nearly 30 years of competition as a club program.
Last April, a lot of coaches and fans could probably have filled in Boston College as Hockey East’s favorite for 2001-2. But that was before massive losses of underclassmen added to the sting of graduation for the Eagles, leaving Maine and Providence as contenders on at least an equal footing.
Over the last 12 years, BU hockey has experienced only two losing seasons. Unfortunately, those have come in two of the last three years. Has the Terriers’ reign of dominance come to an end or only hit a couple bumps in the road? Or something in between? Most likely something in between. It’s hard to … Read more
When you finish in last place and then graduate your top goaltender, one of your top two scorers and four other forwards, you’d better have a vision for where the program is going because there may not be a lot of instant gratification in the offing. Fortunately for UMass-Amherst, second-year coach Don “Toot” Cahoon has … Read more
It’s anyone’s guess how well the Maine team will cope with the death of its long-time leader, Shawn Walsh. “It’s a huge impact,” says assistant coach Grant Standbrook. “We loved the guy. [Anyone who] saw the team at the funeral would know what I was referring to. They were all in tears and devastated by … Read more
Amidst all the preseason focus on expected wins and losses, the one W the entire league hopes for is in coach Chris Serino’s battle with throat cancer. If Serino defeats the disease, it will be a successful season no matter what the standings say. That said, Merrimack fans can hope for a huge victory off … Read more
The biggest change in Lowell, of course, isn’t the usual departure of graduating players and influx of freshmen, but rather the arrival last spring of new coach Blaise MacDonald. Arguably, former coach Tim Whitehead should have been treated better and still be at the River Hawk helm. He was, after all, a finalist for national … Read more