Hockey East announces men’s, women’s schedules for week of March 3-6, including women’s semifinals, championship

Hockey East announced Tuesday schedule updates for men’s and women’s teams for the coming week. Wednesday, March 3 Women’s Semifinals UConn at Northeastern – 4:30 p.m. (NESN) Maine at Providence – 7 p.m. (NESN) Thursday, March 4 New Hampshire at Boston University (men) – 4 p.m. Friday, March 5 Maine at Massachusetts (men) – 2:30 … Read more

With new college hockey initiative out to include all, ‘hockey culture needs to be a place where people from all walks of life feel accepted’

The romantic image of hockey centers around the notion of the sport as an engine.

Teams can’t win unless they harness the selfless power of individuals, and victory only comes when they work together to control the flow of the game. An unmatched intensity creates this willingness to do whatever it takes to win.

It fosters a bottomless toughness capable of enhancing teamwork, friendship and lifelong bonds. That attitude spills over into the community and helps the sport shine through its brightest moments. This off-ice gentleness can welcome anyone into the inner circle by appreciating what it takes to sacrifice daily for a team.

At its best, hockey permeates that mentality, but the truth is that more sinister aspects exist in the shadows of the game. The same culture and attitude that makes hockey the greatest sport in the world is also capable of excluding others with hostile language, and players, fans, coaches and personnel can feel unwanted or afraid to speak up.