Minnesota-Duluth needed to change, and change it has
The Bulldogs have gone from under .500 to contention for an NCAA tournament spot in less than two months.
This Week
This Week in … columns; weekly columns on a league, region or gender-division
Wide assortment of paths lead to Sochi
Eight women’s ice hockey teams will begin competition at the 2014 Olympic Games in Sochi this week: Canada, Finland, Germany, Japan, Russia, Sweden, Switzerland, and United States. There is an NCAA hockey component for each of them, including Japan, which hasn’t been home to many NCAA recruits over the years. Former Wisconsin Badger Carla … Read more
Defense pushes Wisconsin-Superior to the top
For Wisconsin-Superior coach Dan Laughlin, discourse about his team in the upcoming postseason is somewhat irrelevant. “We are in it right now,” said Laughlin of the way his club has adeptly approached the stretch run of the schedule armed with a playoff mentality. Certainly the No. 8 Yellowjackets have equipped themselves for a deep … Read more
Netminders will have ability to decide ECAC Northeast champions
In the final few weeks of regular season, goaltending will be key to determining the ECAC Northeast regular-season champions. Let’s look at the goaltenders who have been difference-makers this season. 5 – Jake Williams, Salve Regina He had a hot start to the season, going 5-1 in his first six starts, but then the Seahawks … Read more
Worcester State hopes to be peaking at the ideal time
Worcester State’s season has had its peaks and valleys. The Lancers hope they are on another peak in their chase for a fourth straight MASCAC tournament appearance. Starting the season 3-0, Worcester State ended the first half 1-6-1. The Lancers have regrouped in 2014 with a 4-2 record and are currently sitting in seventh place … Read more
Fenwick brothers provide ‘quite an adventure’ at three NESCAC schools
Many consider the NESCAC among the most competitive athletic conferences at the Division III level and certainly, no one can question the academic quality and integrity the 11-school conference represents to it thousands of students. So it should come as no surprise that many legacies and sibling combinations have appeared over the years competing both … Read more
Still lots of uncertainty in the ECAC West standings
Hmmmm. What exactly was decided by last week’s ECAC West action? Well, we began with just one point separating the top half of the six-team loop, (Elmira, Hobart and Utica) just as it is at this very moment. We had cellar-dwelling Nazareth acting like giant-killers and they kept the slingshots humming for one more night, … Read more
Hockey East’s nonconference strength gives league teams a PairWise boost
In a season where league members played more nonconference games than ever, Hockey East has a national-best 72-39-15 record.
How I learned to stop worrying and love the Big Ten
As Valentine’s Day nears, the newfangled conference is growing on our former CCHA columnist.
Mercyhurst gets the Cup, and goalie Tibbett gets a needed boost
Jordan Tibbett stopped 69 of 72 shots last weekend after a shaky reentry into the No. 1 role.
Leivermann earning his keep at Gustavus Adolphus
Corey Leivermann just wanted to play hockey, but because of a lack of playing time at Division I Minnesota State, he searched for a new opportunity. Leivermann found one at Gustavus Adolphus, arriving midway through last season and playing in 13 games for the Gusties, who finished 17-8-3 and lost in the championship game of … Read more
Local product Krueger relishing time spent with hometown Wisconsin-Stevens Point
Wisconsin Stevens-Point captain Tyler Krueger has always been a defensive guy on the ice. And when we say always, we mean always. “I’ve played defense ever since Pee Wee hockey,” Krueger said. “I never was much of a goal scorer.” Krueger has certainly thrived on defense and has helped play a pivotal role in the … Read more
Multiple waves of production give Cornell’s offense a valuable balance
The Big Red are unbeaten in nine games, the third-best active streak in the nation.
Consistency an uphill battle for St. Anselm as crunch time approaches
For St. Anselm in 2014, the battle has been to find some level of consistency in the Hawks’ level of play not only from one weekend to the next, but from one night to the next. Case in point is this past weekend where some critical third-period mistakes accounted for a loss against ECAC East … Read more
Adrian and St. Norbert battle this weekend with NCHA implications on the line
A series involving two teams that are at the top of their conference and tied for first is bound to be an exciting matchup. A pair of teams that are No. 1 and No. 2 in the nation and competing against each other for the first time in the regular season is historic. Combine those … Read more
Halpin helping his cause in third year at Fitchburg State
The success Fitchburg State junior defenseman Craig Halpin has had can be pointed to others around him. Showing his maturity, Halpin deflects attention away from himself and takes a team-first approach. “The team is really well-rounded this year,” Halpin said. “The puck is moving around a lot and I have been playing on the power … Read more
SUNYAC race still anyone’s game as final month arrives
They consider the number 13 to be unlucky, but for roughly half the teams in the SUNYAC, to see that figure in the points column at season’s end would suit them just fine. Six teams make the SUNYAC tournament each season and for the past seven years (such was the sample size we settled upon), … Read more
St. Cloud State turns its attention to a struggling defense
The Huskies have allowed 20 goals over their last six games after being among the national defensive leaders in the first half.
Northeastern, Boston University on different tracks heading into Beanpot
The Huskies are in second place in Hockey East, while the Terriers are in 10th.
Curry finding winning ways since flip of calendar to 2014
So far, Curry is liking the way 2014 is treating the Colonels compared to how 2013 ended. Curry has a 5-4-1 record in the new year after a 2-5-1 start to the season. For coach T.J. Manastersky, it’s a nice start, but there are plenty of things for his club to work on for the … Read more