This Week in … columns; weekly columns on a league, region or gender-division
The battle for the Gold Pan kicks off between one-loss Denver and unbeaten Colorado College; North Dakota tries to bring last week’s offensive burst into its series against depleted Minnesota; and St. Cloud State head coach Craig Dahl refuses to get worked up about his team’s hot start — even though the Huskies take on Minnesota-Duluth for the WCHA lead this weekend. Todd D. Milewski reports.
Bowling Green and Lake Superior start to turn the corner; Notre Dame starts strong thanks to the (young) man in the net; and has the CCHA Coach of the Year Curse struck again, this time in Big Rapids? Paula C. Weston reports.
We’re in the midst of Four Nations Cup week, the time every year when the best women’s hockey talents from Canada, U.S., Sweden and Finland depart to play for their national teams, leaving several college programs shorthanded. Some affected colleges were able to schedule around the Cup (No. 1 Minnesota, No. 4 Minnesota-Duluth). Others happen … Read more
What’s the connection between the current Big East vs. ACC vs. everyone else mess and Atlantic Hockey? Jim Connelly knows. Also: assessing the importance of Mercyhurst’s historic upset, and the league finally gets into full swing.
Brown hands Harvard a nasty little present in the ECAC’s season opener; the North Country hosts the Capital District; and Princeton and Yale look to turn around last weekend’s difficult starts against Cornell and Colgate. Juan Martinez reports.
Maine climbs over BC and UNH en route to No. 1 in the polls; Merrimack and UMass-Lowell get help between the pipes; last week’s trivia question — in detail; and Dave Hendrickson hasn’t quite recovered from the Red Sox’s catastrophic breakdown.
Mercyhurst puts an end to the “almosts” for Atlantic Hockey with a big win over a CCHA opponent; Brad Roberts mans the nets for Army; and college hockey returns to HSBC Arena in Buffalo. Jim Connelly reports.
Harvard looks to reverse recent history in its traditional opener against Brown; Union stays unbeaten; and three teams head West for road series against WCHA opponents. Juan Martinez rounds up happenings in the ECAC.
Notre Dame gets a big win over a longtime rival (sort of); Alaska-Fairbanks and Ohio State square off in a little-noted but still-interesting pairing; and Paula C. Weston pulls out strange facts from the CCHA.
Niagara, coming off a stunning upset of then-No. 1 New Hampshire, takes on a more difficult opponent (at least, historically speaking) — the Purple Eagles kick off their CHA season against Wayne State. Mike Volonnino reports.
After a stunning sweep, UMD head coach Scott Sandelin tries to avoid a letdown; Wisconsin takes aim at penalties; Denver rebuilds its goaltending tandem; and Minnesota looks for the fire inside. Todd D. Milewski covers the WCHA.
No. 5 Providence takes on No. 2 Dartmouth in a match between two teams on opposite sides of last year’s NCAA tournament bubble, and No. 7 St. Lawrence visits No. 4 Minnesota-Duluth for ECAC-WCHA competition. David De Remer reports.
The marquee matchup in women’s college hockey this week was one that didn’t even count. Even if it was an exhibition, even if it did have quirky rules like an all-power-play second period, it was still Dartmouth at Harvard. Dartmouth might have taken the contest between the consensus No. 2 and No. 3 teams in … Read more
A weekend of “almost” — including three ties against Big Four opponents — produces optimism in Atlantic Hockey, which gets more chances to pull the upset this weekend. Also: Jim Connelly explores the reasons behind the conference’s road-warrior mentality in nonconference games.
In a rarity, the Zancanaro twins face off in this weekend’s Providence-BU matchup; Maine climbs the polls — but how high is high enough? And injury strikes Boston College again. Scott Weighart fills us in on the goings-on in Hockey East.
New-look Alaska-Anchorage gets some firepower from an unexpected source; it’s Husky vs. Husky as two surprising teams square off this weekend; Wisconsin shows Quinnipiac some respect; and Denver’s Kevin Ulanski, NCAA scoring leader? Todd D. Milewski rounds up the WCHA.
Union is off to a big start, but head coach Nate Leaman refuses to get too excited; Colgate pulls out the split against a nationally-ranked opponent; the Ivies hit the ice; and Juan Martinez investigates Harvard’s “Ticketgate” issue with Cornell.
Apocalypse? Ragnarok? No, just the CCHA standings, where Ohio State and Western Michigan are boff to fast starts. The Broncos take on struggling Michigan State, while Ohio State must avoid a letdown against Mercyhurst. Also: Red Berenson asks the Yost Arena student section for a favor. Paula C. Weston reports.
Air Force engraves its name atop the growing list of CHA upsets; Niagara gets two big games this weekend — including a visit with its former coach; a rivalry develops along the Ohio-Michigan border; and Alabama-Huntsville kicks off the new season. Mike Volonnino reports.
Minnesota rebounds after a tough loss, and now Alaska-Anchorage must do the same; Minnesota State and Wisconsin bring out the rookies; and Zach Parise might test his knee in action Friday night after all. Todd D. Milewski rounds up the WCHA.