This Week in … columns; weekly columns on a league, region or gender-division
It’s time to get underway in the ECAC, though surprisingly there are only two games on the conference’s docket for this weekend, as two ECAC schools will host two Hockey East schools. That means there really isn’t much to say except: DROP THE PUCK! Last week: 0-0-0 Season to date: 0-0-0 Boston University (0-0-0) at … Read more
Top-ranked North Dakota was sluggish in its defeat of non-conference Mankato State, while streaking Colorado College failed to put away pesky Denver by more than two goals in either game. Only Wisconsin was a convincing winner, dominating Alaska-Anchorage on consecutive nights. So who’s going to skate out of Milwaukee’s Bradley Center with the Broadmoor Trophy? … Read more
In a mind-boggling upset that has rivaled the Beanpot in the mass media attention it has garnered, the Warriors pulled off the biggest David-over-Goliath upset since, well, they beat Northeastern in the NCAA Division I tournament 10 years ago. Although a number-eight seed has knocked off number one before — Northeastern over Boston College in … Read more
Baseball can have summer–and every bit of the glorious, pastoral mythology that goes along with it. But hockey has faith. What’s stronger than faith? Where were you in 1980? Where were you last weekend? When you watch four teams take the ice for the CCHA semifinals Friday night at fabled Joe Louis Arena, you’ll see … Read more
In the ECAC, five rings bring the survivors of the first round together, though the colors of the ECAC rings differ from those of their Olympic counterparts. Blue – Yale Green – Clarkson Crimson – Harvard Orange – Princeton Red – Cornell There is a new format for this year’s ECAC playoff championship, one that … Read more
Eight ECAC teams gayest under heav’n, One went to sleep and then there were seven; Seven ECAC teams cutting up their tricks, One broke its neck and then there were six. Six ECAC teams kickin’ all alive, One kick’d the bucket and then there were five; Five ECAC teams on an Olympic floor, One tumbled … Read more
In this space three weeks ago, I promised Wildcat followers an unconditional trip to the Final Four in April. Since then, the team that seemingly had everything has appeared hexed. UNH now has lost four of its last five games. Like a character with special powers in a Stephen King novel, I should have known … Read more
It’s the Girl Reporter’s List of Sins and Graces, the worst and the best of the CCHA that don’t necessarily fit into the usual categories. Disclaimer: I have yet to visit Abel Arena, Lakeview Arena, and the Carlson Center. Sins Worst rink: The Joyce Arena. You’d think a school with the athletic tradition of Notre … Read more
All the playoff posturing, injuries, streaks and statistical battles are irrelevant now. Here’s the bottom line: win four games (five games for some), collect your ticket to the NCAA tournament’s Field of 12. Now that the dust has settled on a wild season in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association, let’s take a quick look at … Read more
I didn’t hear a fat lady sing, did you? What was once the largest lead of any first-place team in the nation is now the smallest. Clarkson picked up four points this past weekend and Yale just one, narrowing the battle for the ECAC regular-season title between the two to just one slim point. Taking … Read more
I don’t have anything to complain about this week. Neither does Northeastern coach Bruce Crowder, whose team swept UNH in yet another Husky stunner. Everyone keeps waiting for the NU Cinderella season to turn midnight, but it seems these kids can’t tell time. Their own Roger Holeczy took the KOHO Player of the Week award … Read more
It should be mentioned that this list is not an official endorsement by USCHO; nor was the all-rookie team of last week. It’s just the official Girl Reporter’s All-CCHA Team. If I were picking sides, these are the guys I’d want on my team. Goalies As I’ve been saying all season long, hands-down, without a … Read more
Except for you, my friends on the World Wide Web, who, instead of being treated to tuxedos and slinky dresses on the likes of Gwyneth Paltrow, will be treated to 30-some bloody, battered, bruised dudes — and one guy in a suit — waiting to get their mitts on some USCHO hardware. I think the … Read more
So what’s the deal here? I have no idea, and all the loyal readers will agree with me when I say so. Can you figure this out? I know that I can’t. How about some facts to begin with: Yale, Clarkson, and Rensselaer have clinched ECAC playoff berths. Yale has clinched home ice for the … Read more
Goalies There are several rookie goaltenders who have made a difference for their respective teams. The most notable of these is Jeff Maund, Ohio State’s rookie who never–not for one second– played like one. Maund has considerable talent, considerable points–and considerable stats. He’s 14-6-0 in over 1,200 minutes of play; he’s 12-6-0 in league play. … Read more
"Figures often beguile me, Scott, particularly when I have the arranging of them myself; in which case the remark attributed to Disraeli would often apply with justice and force: ‘There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies and statistics.’" To which I responded: "You’re talking about Duluth’s penalty-kill percentage, right? I’ll bet they’d be … Read more
From 1984 through 1989, the two leagues played games against each member of the opposing conference, with the games counting in both leagues’ standings. In those days, wags in Hockey East press boxes would announce, "WCHA rules tonight. Two assists for every goal." I find myself wondering sometimes if we’re back to "WCHA rules" again. … Read more
Yale is the hottest team in the ECAC. I repeat, Yale is the hottest team in the ECAC. Yale has clinched a playoff spot. I repeat, Yale has clinched a playoff spot. Yale has the largest lead of any conference front-runner. I repeat, Yale has the largest lead of any conference front-runner. Yale`s magic number … Read more
Dear Miss Hockey Manners, When spearing, is it more appropriate to use the butt end of the stick, or can I apply the blade? Signed, Player Perfectionist Dear Gentle and Otherwise Reader, Ah! This is not the letter of a mere goon, but rather that of a true artiste! Your stick is your brush, your … Read more
The fat lady’s singing. Eight teams are hearing "Taps." It’s over because it’s over, Yogi. North Dakota is going to win the 1997-98 Western Collegiate Hockey Association regular-season championship, as most preseason observers may have suspected. With their powerful offense, steady defense and unbelievable young goaltenders, the Sioux and coach Dean Blais are finally looking … Read more