This Week in Big Ten Hockey: Penn State looking for offense vs. Minnesota, Michigan hoping to continue roll against Notre Dame

A 6-4 victory over North Dakota in Nashville put a bow on the early portion of the Penn State’s nonconference schedule and gave the Nittany Lions a 6-1-0 record. The start of the Big Ten schedule hasn’t been as kind to the team from Hockey Valley. A trip to Minneapolis gives Penn State another chance … Read more

This Week in Big Ten Hockey: Notre Dame finding success with increased emphasis on puck possession

There are numerous ways one can describe a hockey team. Jeff Jackson, though, would appreciate it if people stopped using one term to describe Notre Dame. “I really hate when people say we’re a defensive team,” Jackson said Monday night. “We’re a puck-possession team, in my opinion. We really focus on our ability to possess … Read more

This Week in Big Ten Hockey: Rivalry weekend on tap as Michigan plays Michigan State, Minnesota battles Wisconsin

Michigan State defeated Michigan in a – let’s just keep things simple and say entertaining – football game last weekend. Spartans’ head coach Danton Cole was asked if his team could possibly feed off that energy and keep things rolling when the two schools meet in a home-and-home series on the ice this weekend. “Well, … Read more

This Week in Big Ten Hockey: Ohio State finding offense by committee is way to go in early portion of ’21-22 season

When the coaches poll came out in September, the Big Ten opener between the teams predicted to finish sixth and seventh probably didn’t cause many to bust out the Sharpie. That being said, both Ohio State and Michigan State have, at least to a point, navigated their early-season nonconference schedule successfully and will be looking … Read more

This Week in Big Ten Hockey: Upcoming Minnesota series with NCHC’s Minnesota Duluth should be ‘just good hockey teams going against each other’

Minnesota hasn’t played an in-state rival for conference points since March of 2013, but in the middle of back-to-back series against St. Cloud State and Minnesota Duluth, it feels like we’ve been transported back a couple years. The Gophers and Bulldogs will face off in a home-and-home bout this weekend with Friday’s game being played … Read more

NCHC says ending of Oct. 16 Minnesota-St. Cloud State game should have included penalties

The NCHC issued a statement Sunday night, saying that the league has determined a minor penalty or penalties should have been issued on the sequence immediately leading up to the game-winning goal in overtime during the Minnesota-St. Cloud State game on Saturday, Oct. 16. NCAA hockey rules and interpretations do not allow for judgment calls … Read more

Big Ten 2021-22 Season Preview: Michigan has the talent, but are the Wolverines the conference favorite?

As the sudden cancelation of the 2019-20 season and the general, let’s say, quirkiness of last year gets put in the rearview, everyone is hoping for a more normal Big Ten season this year. Saying more normal instead of 100 percent normal is already necessary as during the process of writing this piece a nonconference … Read more

Alaska college hockey games at Minnesota scheduled for Oct. 2-3 postponed due to COVID protocols

The men’s college hockey games between Alaska and Minnesota have been postponed following COVID protocols. The games were originally scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 2 at 2:30 p.m. CDT and Sunday, Oct. 3 at 4 p.m. CDT at 3M Arena at Mariucci. The teams have rescheduled the two games for the weekend of Jan. 14-15, 2022.

Big Ten announces new COVID-19 game rule for upcoming 2021-22 season

The Big Ten announced Monday a new COVID-19 regulation for the 2021-22 season. “In collaboration and communication with the Big Ten Conference Athletic Directors, Chancellors and Presidents, the Task Force for Emerging Infectious Diseases, and the Sports Medicine Committee – effective today – the conference has determined that if one of its member institutions is … Read more

Car crash tragically takes life of Mack Motzko, son of Minnesota hockey coach Bob Motzko

Mack Motzko, the 20-year-old son of Minnesota men’s hockey coach Bob Motzko, died Saturday night after a car accident in Orono, Minn. The Long Lake Fire Department and Orono Police responded to the single-vehicle crash at 11:23 p.m. Saturday near 3120 North Shore Drive. “The vehicle was traveling at a high rate of speed and … Read more