While not quite the halfway point of the season, the holiday break affords an opportunity to look back on the first part of the Atlantic Hockey campaign. The Year of the Goalie We’ll give goalies and defenses the credit for the lack of scoring so far this season. Last year at this time, 429 goals … Read more
In a rather cryptic announcement on its web site, Connecticut has announced that it is “conduct(ing) a complete evaluation of its men’s ice hockey program. The purpose of the evaluation is to assess the program’s current level of support to that of Atlantic Hockey league members and other programs in the region. The assessment will … Read more
Three things I learned from Atlantic Hockey this weekend: There was only one game in Atlantic Hockey this weekend, but I had the good fortune to be there to see Rochester Institute of Technology take on Robert Morris at Clearview Arena at the Island Sports Center. The Colonials came away with a 4-0 win to … Read more
Last Week: 8-1-1 On the Season: 78-32-14 (.672) This Week’s Pick: Saturday, December 17 Rochester Institute of Technology at Robert Morris – Only one game remains before Christmas but it’s a dandy between two teams near the top of the standings. The Colonials are riding a school-record seven game unbeaten streak, while the Tigers have … Read more
Three things I learned from Atlantic Hockey this weekend: Sweeps are sweet – Rochester Institute of Technology and American International played the only two-game series this weekend, and RIT continued its dominance over the Yellow Jackets with a pair of victories. “Our effort level was up and down tonight; we wanted to raise the bar,” … Read more
Last Week: 7-3-2 On the Season: 70-31-13 (.671) This Week’s Picks: Friday, Dec. 9 and Saturday, Dec. 10 American International at Rochester Institute of Technology – This is the only two game series of the weekend. RIT is 17-3-1 all-time against AIC, including 9-1-1 at Ritter Arena. I think that trend will continue. RIT 4, … Read more
Three things I learned from Atlantic Hockey this weekend: I would have liked to be at the John A Ryan Skating Arena on Saturday – Where one of those rare, Mighty Ducks-like moments occurred. Bentley and Niagara were tied at two goals each, when, with 1.3 seconds to play, Niagara’s Dan Baco covered the puck … Read more
Last Week: 10-1-2 (Best week in a long time) On the Season:63-28-11 (.672) This Week’s Picks: Rochester Institute of Technology at Connecticut – This weekend sees all six west pod teams traveling east. While the Tigers and Huskies have been playing each other since the Division III days, they really haven’t had much of a … Read more
Three things I learned from Atlantic Hockey this weekend: Standings can change in a hurry – All of the league series saw one team taking three points or more: sweeps by Air Force over Connecticut and Canisius over American International, plus Niagara with a win and a tie against Sacred Heart, ditto Robert Morris against … Read more
Last Week: 5-5-3 On the Season: 53-27-9 (.646) This Week’s Picks: Friday, Nov. 25 Rensselaer at Rochester Institute of Technology – The Tigers have never defeated the Engineers since moving to Division I and despite RPI’s record, I have a feeling they may break out of their slump. RPI 3, RIT 2. Saturday, Nov. 26 … Read more
Three things I learned from Atlantic Hockey this weekend: 1. Goals are hard to come by Five of the bottom eight offenses in Division I belong to Atlantic Hockey teams. Other than the 6-5 contest between Rochester Institute of Technology and Holy Cross on Saturday, no AHA team scored more than three goals in a … Read more
Last Week: 5-5-1 On the Season: 48-22-6 (.654) This Week’s Picks: Friday, Nov. 18 Army at American International – Both teams are having trouble scoring goals, so this one is a tossup. I’m going with the Yellow Jackets at home. AIC 2, Army 1. Saturday, Nov. 19 Connecticut at Yale – The Huskies are coming … Read more
Three things I learned from Atlantic Hockey this weekend: Things can change in a New York (and Pennsylvania) minute. First place Air Force was undefeated in league play and riding a seven game unbeaten streak heading into games at Rochester Institute of Technology and Mercyhurst. But the Falcons suffered a rare weekend sweep at the … Read more
Last Week: 7-4-1 (I had the Niagara-Holy Cross split right but on the wrong nights) On the Season: 43-17-7 (.694) This Week’s Picks: Friday, November 11 Holy Cross at Massachusetts – The Crusaders have already beaten a Hockey East team this season and I think they’ll do it again. Holy Cross 3, Massachusetts 2. Army … Read more
Three things I learned from Atlantic Hockey this weekend: A full slate is a good thing: This weekend was the first of the season to see all twelve teams in two-game series against conference opponents. The unbalanced schedule makes for several weekends where teams have only one game. “I hate (playing one game on a … Read more
Last Week: 6-4-2 (I had the Niagara-Colgate split right but on the wrong nights) On the Season: 36-13-6 (.703) This Week’s Picks: Friday, November 4 & Saturday, November 5: Sacred Heart at Air Force – Sacred Heart seems to play the Falcons tough no matter what their record, evidenced by the Pioneers taking three of … Read more
Welcome to a cliche’ edition of Three Things I Learned. Note that I said “a” cliche’ edition and not “the “cliche’ edition because I reserve the right to do it again. “Ya gotta play 60 minutes.” - After Robert Morris lost to Michigan State 6-3, allowing three goals in the third period, Colonials coach Derek Schooley … Read more
Last Week: 6-3-3 On the Season: 30-9-4 (.744) This Week’s Picks: Thursday, October 27 Holy Cross at Connecticut – A critical early game between the two stongest teams in the Eastern part of the conference. the Crusaders took two of three from the Huskies last season, but UConn won its game at home. I think … Read more
Three things I learned from following Atlantic Hockey this week: Playing at home matters. The AHA is only 5-30-4 in non-conference play, but just seven of those 39 games have been played in Atlantic Hockey rinks. In those games, the league is a respectable 2-3-2. So again, that’s 3-27-2 on the road, and 2-3-2 at … Read more
Last Week: 13-3 On the Season: 24-6-1 (.790) This Week’s Picks: Friday, October 21 Union at Niagara – For only the third time this season, an AHA team hosts a non-conference game. But I still think No. 12 Union get the win. Union 4, Niagara 2. Saturday, October 22 Holy Cross at Boston University – The teams … Read more