As Chris mentioned this week, 2017-2018 is one of the tightest seasons in Atlantic Hockey (and college hockey) history. The league somehow managed to make a chaotic race to the finish, which we once dubbed a demolition derby, more hectic. Holy Cross defeated AIC last night, 2-0, at the Hart Center, in the last game … Read more
Last week: Dan: 3-6 Chris: 2-7 On the season: Dan: 92-80-24 (.531) Chris: 100-72-24 (.571) This Week’s Picks Thursday, February 22 American International at Holy Cross Chris: The teams played last Saturday in Springfield, with AIC coming out on top, 1-0. This is the Crusaders final game of the season, and therefore their last chance … Read more
With a weekend to go in the regular season, the difference between first place and last place in Atlantic Hockey is just 10 points. That’s unprecedented. For comparison, here’s the delta between first and last in the other conferences (granted, some leagues award three points for a win, but it’s still striking): Big Ten: 32 … Read more
Our guests on the February 20 edition of USCHO Live! are Northeastern coach Jim Madigan, whose No. 11 Huskies are Beanpot champs and in the hunt for the Hockey East regular-season title, and Mercyhurst coach Rick Gotkin, whose Lakers are atop the Atlantic Hockey standings and look to clinch the regular season in a two-game series at Rochester Institute of Technology this weekend.
Listen live or on-demand: http://www.uscho.com/uscho-live/2018/02/20/madigan-gotkin-guest-on-feb-20-episode-of-uscho-live/
Atlantic Hockey’s penultimate weekend didn’t disappoint, once again drawing the league right back into a massive logjam. Canisius, the proverbial leader in the clubhouse, surrendered the top slot to Mercyhurst, who just a few months ago sat as one of the team’s in the bottom three. RIT, Robert Morris and Army all have some form … Read more
Last week: Dan: 5-7 Chris: 3-9 On the season: Dan: 89-74-24 (.540) Chris: 98-65-24 (.588) This Week’s Picks Friday, February 16 and Saturday, February 17 Army West Point at Bentley Chris: Army West Point will look to spoil the opening of Bentley’s new Arena. I’m thinking the Falcons will be extra psyched to open their … Read more
Our guests on the February 13 edition of USCHO Live! are Northern Michigan coach Grant Potulny, whose Wildcats sit atop the WCHA standings and at No. 20 in the USCHO.com poll after winning nine of 10 league games since Jan. 1, and Rochester Institute of Technology coach Wayne Wilson, whose Tigers won all three games on a long weekend road trip to move into fifth place — yet still in reach of first — in Atlantic Hockey. Listen live or on-demand: http://www.uscho.com/uscho-live/2018/02/13/uconorthern-michigans-potulny-rits-wilson-guest-on-feb-13-edition-of-uscho-live/
Three things from last weekend in Atlantic Hockey: Farewell, old friend On Saturday, Bentley University played its last game in the John A Ryan Skating Arena, affectionately known (well, maybe not “affectionately” by visiting teams) as the JAR. It’s been the Falcons’ home for over 40 years, but Bentley is opening a new, on-campus rink … Read more
Last week: Dan: 6-3-2 Chris: 6-3-2 On the season: Dan: 84-67-24 (.549) Chris: 95-56-24 (.611) This Week’s Picks Friday, February 9 and Saturday, February 10 Air Force at Bentley Chris:Assuming they actually play these games (Air Force will not be able to play if the government shuts down again and the deadline is Feb. 8), … Read more
This is supposed to be the time of year when there’s a natural separation in a league’s standings. The top tier starts to settle into a race for the league championship, and the bottom teams are left to fight for a first round home series. It’s supposed to set natural order. The rest of college … Read more
Last week: Dan: 5-4-1 Chris: 7-2-1 On the season: Dan: 78-64-22 (.543) Chris: 89-53-22 (.610) This Week’s Picks Friday, February 2 and Saturday, February 3 Robert Morris at Sacred Heart Chris: We’ve got a brunch game (10:35 on Friday) and a matinee (2:05 on Saturday). Despite Sacred Heart coming in on a modest winning streak, … Read more
You can’t make this stuff up We’ve enjoyed the story line of the #rileybowl for four seasons now. On 13 occasions so far, Jack Riley, a redshirt senior forward for Mercyhurst, has faced off against Army West Point, coached by his dad, Brian Riley. Sophomore Brendan Riley also players for the Lakers. This past weekend’s … Read more
Last week: Dan: 4-3-2 Chris: 4-3-2 On the season: Dan: 73-60-21 (.542) Chris: 82-51-21 (.601) This Week’s Picks Friday, January 26 and Saturday, January 27 Robert Morris at American International Chris: RMU’s sweep of AIC back in December was one of the high points in an otherwise forgettable first half of the season for the … Read more
Our guests on the Tuesday, January 23, edition of USCHO Live! are Robert Morris coach Derek Schooley and Bemidji State coach Tom Serratore, both leading teams moving up the standings in their leagues in the second half of the season. Listen live or on-demand: http://www.uscho.com/uscho-live/2018/01/22/robert-morris-schooley-bemidji-states-serratore-slated-for-jan-23-uscho-live/
Hockey season starts to gear up for its final swing around this time of year. The cream of the crop rise to the occasion and create separation from league compatriots, and potential playoff matchups start to formulate just enough. But find me a team that will feel good, and I’ll show you someone who’s openly … Read more
The government shutdown has caused the cancellation of all Air Force athletic events, including tonight’s Sacred Heart at Air Force game. Army West Point, which is currently funded under a different arrangement, is unaffected. The Black Knights play their annual exhibition tonight against Royal Military College of Canada in Kingston, Ontario. UPDATE: Atlantic Hockey has … Read more
Last week: Dan: 4-7-1 Chris: 6-5-1 On the season: Dan: 69-57-19 (.541) Chris: 78-48-19 (.603) This Week’s Picks Friday, January 19 and Saturday, January 20 Niagara at Holy Cross Chris: This should be a great battle between teams at the top of the standings – Holy Cross is tied with Canisius for first with Niagara … Read more
Three things from the weekend that was in Atlantic Hockey: Good goalies As is often the case, goaltending was the story in most of five series played this weekend. • Air Force’s Billy Christopolous allowed just one goal on 56 shots to lead The Falcons to a sweep of Rochester Institute of Technology. On Friday, … Read more
Last week: Dan: 4-4-3 Chris: 4-4-3 On the season: Dan: 65-50-18 (.556) Chris: 72-43-18 (.609) This Week’s Picks Friday, January 12 and Saturday, January 13 Bentley at Army West Point Chris: It’s that time of the season to start looking at the standings, and Bentley sits in ninth place, four points behind Army West Point, … Read more
It was AIC’s weekend against Holy Cross. The rest of us were just living in it. The Yellow Jackets earned their second weekend sweep of the season, beating the Crusaders in two predictably hard-fought games. On Friday night, AIC won at home, 2-1, in a goaltending showdown between Stefano Durante and Paul Berrafato. On Saturday, … Read more