This Week in … columns; weekly columns on a league, region or gender-division
“In early March, we found out Craig was going to be available. The fact that we were able to attract a goaltender who has won in this league, who has been into every building and, for the most part, has won, has won a playoff series, that was important for us” (photo: Jim Pierce).
In a weekend that saw Wisconsin score 11 goals in a single game against Merrimack, Penn State net 13 in a sweep of Sacred Heart and Notre Dame score 10 in two wins over Air Force, Michigan’s two-goal performance in a tie and loss to visiting Clarkson stands in stark contrast, even for an opening weekend of play (photo: Michigan Athletics).
Normally, a season-opening series against an Atlantic Hockey squad would have little of note for perennial college hockey power North Dakota (photo: Bradley K. Olson).
Ty Eigner will never forget where he was when athletic director Bob Moosbrugger called him and offered him the head coaching job at Bowling Green (photo: BGSU Athletics).
A series split on the road is never a bad way to start a season, but it’s especially positive for St. Lawrence (photo: CA Hill Photo).
Every team starts with unknowns to open the season, and Robert Morris is no different (photo: Justin Berl/RMU Athletics).
Ohio State may not have either of its in-state rivals on the schedule this season, but there’s an opportunity for people in the Buckeye State to see two of its teams in the same building this weekend (photo: Jamie Sabau).
Denver’s first two weeks of the new season have involved getting creative with travel logistics. That stuff is old hat for Pioneers assistant coaches Dallas Ferguson and Tavis MacMillan (photos: DU Athletics).
Heading into the season, Providence coach Nate Leaman said that his team was so young, he had no expectations (photo: Omar Phillips).
When Bowling Green was still finalizing its schedule in early April, Ty Eigner and Chris Bergeron had no idea they’d be starting the season on different benches (photo: BGSU Athletics).
Service academy recruits and cadets live a completely different lifestyle than the average college student (photo: Omar Phillips).
Matthew Beniers is one of the top prospects on USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program Under-18 Team. He’s being talked about as a first-round pick in the 2021 NHL Draft (photo: Rena Laverty).
The Wisconsin Badgers blanked Minnesota, 2-0, claiming the program’s first national championship since 2011.
Minnesota will face WCHA rival Wisconsin. Minnesota got a power-play goal from Nicole Schammel in the second period and an empty-netter from Sarah Potomak to advance to the national championship game. Wisconsin broke open a close game in the third period on a goal by Annie Pankowski and cruised to a win.
Norwich jumped out to a 3-0 lead and held on for a 4-2 win, staving off a desperate Geneseo rally and getting an empty-net goal by Dave Robertson with 28. 6 seconds left to seal the win. The Cadets await the winner of Wisconsin-Stevens Point-Hobart.
Wisconsin-Stevens Point is undefeated as it readies to host the Frozen Four this weekend. Players like Kelly O’Brien are excited for the challenge, and feel that they have learned from last year’s loss to Salve Regina.
Last year, sixth-seeded Princeton rode a hot streak to an ECAC Hockey championship. That won’t happen again this season, thanks in part to a recent hot streak by No. 8 Brown (photo: Rob Rasmussen).
Norwich looked to its upperclassmen for leadership and steadiness in the second half. That group previously won a national championship in 2017, and their experience has proved vital as Norwich righted the ship and rode a 14-game win streak into the Frozen Four.
Hobart has focused on consistency of effort, trying to do the same things and play with commitment to their style. It has led to success, and they are focused on that and special teams as the Statesmen ready for Wisconsin-Stevens Point.
Even as No. 13 Bowling Green started the season hot, it’s final two months of the regular season were anything but that, coach Chris Bergeron says (photo: Brad Phalin).