First things first: • Emotions ran high after Wisconsin’s Adam Burish hit Colorado College’s Scott Thauwald at the horn at the end of last Saturday’s game. It’s too bad, too, because that incident overshadowed a series of skill and tenacity. • On paper, it seems like a different Minnesota State team out there the last … Read more
This week, North Dakota is still in limbo with the NCAA’s Native American policy, while Minneapolis’ own Scott Brown weighs in on the Gopher drinking “expose.”
In the wake of recent allegations, Mike Volonnino is shocked, shocked to learn that college students drink.
In a deviation from its original policy, the NCAA will allow University of North Dakota athletes to wear uniforms adorned with the Fighting Sioux name and logo during NCAA-sponsored playoff events — at least until Feb. 1 next year. Last Friday, UND filed a second appeal for review by the NCAA Executive Committee, the same … Read more
First things first: • So which is worse, the bad press from Minnesota’s subpar start to the season or the bad press from the shocking — shocking! — reports of underage Gophers players being at a bar and some of them drinking alcohol? I’m guessing that being 3-3-2 doesn’t rank at the top of the … Read more
When Bob Motzko replaced longtime head coach Craig Dahl in St. Cloud, he inherited a program with a lot to look forward to, says Dave Starman.
Several Minnesota hockey players under the age of 21 were identified drinking at a Minneapolis bar by Minneapolis/St. Paul television station KMSP, which reported its allegations on its Sunday evening news telecast and on its website. Filmed secretly either buying, possessing or drinking alcohol by KMSP over a two-month period were Gopher players including Kris … Read more
First things first: • Yes, Colorado College is the deserving No. 1 team in this week’s USCHO.com/CSTV poll. And if they survive this home weekend against St. Cloud State, next week’s trip to Wisconsin should tell us a lot about the Tigers. • The WCHA announced an extension to its deal to play the Final … Read more
Throughout the season, USCHO.com staffers Scott Brown and Jim Connelly will offer their views on the previous weeks’ action, alternating writing duties (and occasional potshots at each other) every Tuesday. Brown will focus on the West and Connelly on the East, in a regular column exclusive to USCHO Extra. Rush To Judgment Brett Sterling (l.) … Read more
The Xcel Energy Center, the site of the WCHA Final Five since 2001, will stay that way through at least 2011, under the terms of a five-year contract extension announced Tuesday. “We’re very excited about continuing our relationship with one of the premier college hockey conferences in the nation,” said Xcel Energy Center vice president … Read more
Brock Trotter, Denver’s then-leading scorer and the reigning WCHA Rookie of the Week, will miss the remainder of the season after sustaining a severed right Achilles tendon on a hit from North Dakota’s Matt Smaby during Friday night’s game between the Sioux and the Pioneers. Smaby’s check on Trotter came behind the UND goal, and … Read more
Denver may be the two-time defending NCAA champion, but head coach George Gwozdecky and Co. see only the season to come.
The WCHA has set the standard for success, and in his USCHO debut, Nicholas Jon Wood says that’s not a bad thing.
First things first: • Welcome to the ranks of college hockey goal-scorers, Phil Kessel. And how’s a penalty shot for a way to score your first collegiate goal? • After some starts and stops over the last few years, instant replay is scheduled to be active at all five arenas that are hosting WCHA series … Read more
Tyler Hirsch, Minnesota’s leading scorer last season, will apply for a medical hardship waiver for personal reasons and miss the remainder of the 2005-06 season, the school announced Thursday. “This was not an easy decision, but one that I feel was the best decision for both myself and the team,” Hirsch said. “I will use … Read more
First things first: • Weekends like the last one, when WCHA teams combined to go 5-10-1 in non-conference games, are just payback for the Frozen Four last season. • Minnesota’s stunning opening weekend against Alaska-Fairbanks drew memories of the 2003 opening weekend, when the then-No. 1 Gophers were flat in the Maverick Stampede, losing to … Read more
Throughout the season, USCHO.com staffers Scott Brown and Jim Connelly will offer their views on the previous weeks’ action, alternating writing duties every Tuesday. Brown will focus on the West and Connelly on the East, in a regular column exclusive to USCHO Extra. Shock To The System Minnesota came into the weekend as the No. … Read more
First things first: • After a nice run through Minnesota last weekend, where do you think the University of Alberta would finish in the WCHA standings? A one-goal loss to Minnesota and wins over Minnesota State and St. Cloud State probably puts Alberta in the middle of the pack, if you conveniently neglect the fact … Read more
The reigning Hobey Baker Memorial Award winner, Marty Sertich of Colorado College, heads up the honorees among the preseason All-USCHO teams, announced Friday. Sertich led the nation in scoring in 2004-05 with 64 points (27-37), edging teammate Brett Sterling by one point (34-29). Sterling, who was a Hobey Hat Trick finalist last season, joins Sertich … Read more
There’s no way to know for sure how Phil Kessel and the rest of the Minnesota freshman class will fare this season, but if they even come close to matching their potential, the Golden Gophers have a great thing going. And that’s not even mentioning the rest of the scoring punch, a well-stocked defense and … Read more