Top-ranked Denver continues to roll, using 'defense-first approach, also winning ugly'

When you looked at the Denver schedule for this first half of the season, a few weekends stood out, as the Pioneers had rematch series on the road against Notre Dame and Minnesota Duluth, the two teams Denver beat in Chicago to win its eighth national championship last April. Entering the series against Duluth last … Read more

Beacons showcasing a complete game

After opening the season with two blowout wins over Wentworth and Curry, the Massachusetts-Boston Beacons started league play on the road against the defending national champions from Norwich. The Beacons lost 5-0, but found their game in the losing effort and since have reeled off seven straight wins to go 9-1-0 in their first 10 … Read more

After huge win at Wisconsin, Mercyhurst showing it can compete with ranked squads

The Mercyhurst Lakers have, in the words of coach Rick Gotkin, “flown under the radar” so far this season. They haven’t garnered much attention despite doing more than their fare share to help Atlantic Hockey to an improved record against non-league opponents. So far, Gotkin’s team has knocked off Penn State (ranked No. 17 at … Read more

Belated Thanksgiving shout-outs from the WCHA

Thanks to a slight scheduling snafu and some family build-up, this column is coming to you later that originally scheduled. For that I beg your forgiveness, dear reader. Now that that’s out of the way, let’s look at what each of the WCHA teams have to be thankful in the spirit of Thanksgiving. Alabama Huntsville: … Read more

Darwitz and Hamline building slowly, seeing results

When Natalie Darwitz took over the helm at Hamline University, the Pipers had just finished with a 6-17-2 record. There have been signs of potential from the Pipers in the past, but for the most part, Hamline had a reputation and it wasn’t one Darwitz wants to see repeated. She and her staff have been … Read more

Holy Cross looks to build confidence after win over Harvard

The Holy Cross women’s hockey program has lived in a state of limbo for 18 seasons. Next season, the Crusaders will become the 10th member of the women’s Hockey East conference. Though the college itself is a Division I institution, the women’s program has competed as a Division II school and played a predominantly Division … Read more

Nelson leading the way at Lake Forest

Shawn Nelson didn’t get a chance to play in Lake Forest’s game against Aurora at Johnny’s West IceHouse, the practice facility of the Chicago Blackhawks, but the senior forward still enjoyed the experience. Out with a concussion, the experience of playing in that building meant a great deal to the Forresters captain, who happens to … Read more

Vermont off to lackluster start, Sneddon wonders ‘if guys are tentative and not confident’

While there have been plenty of anomalies in the first half of this season, one that has left many fans scratching their collective heads is the struggled that the Vermont Catamounts have suffered through to date. Vermont had high expectations coming into the season, returning a goaltender in Stefanos Lekkas along with a pretty experienced … Read more

Upper Peninsula rivalry between Northern Michigan, Michigan Tech keeping flame ignited

The rivalry between Northern Michigan and Michigan Tech transcends hockey. The two Upper Peninsula campuses are separated by just 100 miles. Marquette and Houghton, the cities in which they are located, share a similar climate as well as a Lake Superior maritime history. Both are hubs for their region within the UP. In actuality, the … Read more

Omaha coach Gabinet honors ‘Gramps’ at Hockey Hall of Fame induction ceremony

It’s been an extraordinarily rewarding week for Mike Gabinet and his family. After Omaha completed a road split last weekend against Colorado College, the Mavericks’ coach caught a plane Sunday headed for Toronto. On Monday, when Clare Drake was among seven new inductees into the Hockey Hall of Fame, Gabinet was there to honor his … Read more