This Week in … columns; weekly columns on a league, region or gender-division
From Canton to Cambridge, and the gorges to the Garden State, everyone is singing the same tune: it’s playoff time in the ECACHL. With one weekend left, the picture is moderately clearer than it was at this point last week. However, pretty much everyone still has something tangible to play for in this final week … Read more
In Praise Of Elimination Getting knocked out of the playoffs is tough on the players and coaches involved, but it says here that allowing only eight of the 10 Hockey East teams into the playoffs is a good thing. It may be inconsistent with other leagues, but the current philosophy is the right one. If … Read more
An Instant Classic Send the video to ESPN. Buffalo State coach Nick Carriere provided the understatement of the weekend: “I think people got their money’s worth.” I’ll say. The Fredonia at Buffalo State game was classic playoff hockey. I would have paid NHL prices to watch that game. Fredonia celebrates its overtime victory. (photo by … Read more
Decisions, Decisions The playoff picture became clearer last weekend, with the four home-ice slots now filled. But much remains to be decided, as only AIC knows where it will finish in the standings. Let’s look at each team’s status as we enter the final weekend of the regular season: RIT On the Line: The Tigers … Read more
With the ECAC NE regular season behind us, and the quarterfinal playoff picture set in stone, it’s time to take a look at the match-ups: #1 UMass Dartmouth (22-2-1 overall/14-1-0 conf.) vs. #8 Salve Regina (10-13-1/8-7-0) Saturday, Feb. 24, 4:30 p.m., Hetland Ice Arena, New Bedford, Mass. For coach John Rolli and his upperclassmen at … Read more
Playoffs Already Hobart and Elmira opened the second season on Wednesday evening at the Thunderdomes with an exciting overtime ECAC West Quarterfinal matchup. The Soaring Eagles had to climb back from a two-goal deficit twice to send the game in to the extra stanza before finally winning it 5-4 on a goal by Justin Joy. … Read more
Congratulations, Notre Dame! With their 1-0 win over Alaska in Fairbanks last Friday night, the Irish captured their first-ever CCHA regular-season title. That it came in the form of a shutout was fitting; senior goaltender David Brown has had the season of his life. “Winning a title is a huge, huge accomplishment and I’m fortunate … Read more
With each passing week more things fall into place. The MCHA conference race has finally been settled and it was once again MSOE claiming the regular season title. It didn’t come easy, though, as the Raiders dropped Friday’s contest at Finlandia 11-4 before rebounding to score a 3-2 win on Saturday, thereby locking up the … Read more
As the race for the number one and two spots continues to go back and forth between Curry College and UMass Dartmouth, there are some other teams right on their heels who have had great seasons in their own right. One such team is Wentworth, which is just four points out of first place, and … Read more
Playoff Picture Developing Barring some cataclysmic incident, the five teams that have qualified for the conference playoffs and will vie for the MIAC’s one NCAA tournament berth are set. Bethel, Gustavus Adolphus and St. Olaf have all mathematically clinched a spot so they are in for sure. I don’t think I’m going out on too … Read more
Neither Rain, Nor Snow… What’s a little snow amongst Oswego residents? Eighty-five inches in a week? No problem. That’s why God invented snowplows. However, for Lakers’ fans, they probably wish one of their games were canceled. Once again, Oswego displayed a disturbing inability to beat Plattsburgh in their own barn. It doesn’t even matter anymore … Read more
Don’t look now, but here come the Robert Morris Colonials. Bemidji State and Niagara looked too late. Overlooked its first two seasons in the CHA, Robert Morris has seemingly been the team to beat this season and is within striking distance of the top spot in the conference. Say what? To borrow an old phrase … Read more
Off the Top of My Head Just three weeks left and the standings could get even closer this weekend. Can Minnesota add to its lead? Can St. Cloud keep pace? Only time will tell … Two Crucial Series We should know a lot more about the top of the WCHA standings after this weekend, especially … Read more
No, Really, It’s All Right To my ear, nothing captures the essence of unrequited love like Roxy Music’s 1982 masterpiece, Avalon. From the nihilistic lyrics of “More than This” to the urgency of the overture to “Take a Chance with Me,” nothing speaks to my inner 14-year-old — the one that Robert Sullivan left crushed … Read more
Title In Hand With a hard fought tie and win against Neumann last weekend, Manhattanville clinched the regular season title and home rink throughout the league playoffs. “I am really proud of our guys,” said Manhattanville coach Keith Levinthal. “Most people thought we were going to be down this year, with a brand new team, … Read more
All over the league, it’s the same story and the same mindset: eight points left, get ’em while they’re hot. And for good reason, no one really has much of anything wrapped up. St. Lawrence and Clarkson will have home ice, at least, and Quinnipiac looks good for it too — Rensselaer is the only … Read more
Dave Hendrickson is unavailable this week because he is competing against Takeru Kobayashi and Sonya “The Black Widow” Thomas in the Wienerschnitzel World Chili Cheese Fries Eating Championship this weekend. Go Dave! Let’s see if you have it in you… and if you can keep it in you, for that matter. Bean Counters Boston University … Read more
Winning Ways This is the time of the year when teams try to peak. A successful season can be derailed with a late swoon, while a slow start can be erased with a strong finish. Two teams that look to be on top of their game right now reside in the Nutmeg State. The Connecticut … Read more
Well, a lot sure has happened since last week. First off, the MCHA played itself out so all but two spots in the conference are locked up, even though one weekend of regular season play remains. Conveniently enough however, the two spots up for grabs are first and second. Even more convenient is that the … Read more
The Final Countdown How’s this for exciting on the last weekend of the season? The top five teams in NESCAC are separated by only two points entering the final two games of the regular season. Teams six through eight are separated by just one point and the ninth place team is still mathematically alive for … Read more