February is rolling along and the action on the ice is heating up. Two big matchups loom this weekend as UW-Stevens Point and UW-Superior battle in a series where the WIAC title will be on the line. Nationally ranked opponents Adrian and St. Norbert will do the same in the NCHA. Check out the picks … Read more
Arkhip and Filimon Ledenkov had to adapt to a new language culture when they came to the United States from Belarus, but the one thing that has been forever universal for them is hockey. Two of the top players in NCAA Division III, the twin brothers are playing a huge role in St. Scholastica’s pursuit … Read more
It is the last week of the regular season in the NEHC with a critical matchup finding Norwich traveling to Hobart for the top spot. Elsewhere there are two weeks left and still a lot of movement possible including very tight races in the SUNYAC and NESCAC. Last week’s picks rebounded nicely at 9-3-0 (.750) … Read more
Adrian made a statement Friday and Saturday in a battle of two nationally ranked NCHA teams, reigning supreme in a pair of wins over Aurora. Third-ranked Adrian swept the then No. 7 Spartans, winning the opener 8-4 before closing things out with an 8-2 win. The Bulldogs have now won four consecutive games and returns … Read more
While Utica has clinched the UCHC regular season title and Plymouth State (MASCAC) and Endicott (CCC) seem very close to doing so, races in SUNYAC, NESCAC and NEHC only got tighter as the gaps are just a couple of points leaving little margin for error in the upcoming weekends in the regular season. Things are … Read more
February is underway and it’s hard to believe we are just about at that time of the year where conference tournaments and the NCAA tournament are just around the corner. Conference leaders are trying to maintain their success while those below them in the standings are jockeying for the best position possible before the regular … Read more
In October and November, Trinity was not playing particularly good hockey despite the return of an experienced roster and great expectations for their success on the ice. Since returning to the ice after the semester break and the calendar turning to the New Year, the Bantams have found their game going unbeaten in their last … Read more
Conor Witherspoon didn’t need much time to settle in as a key player for the UW-Stevens Point hockey team. Transferring in from Alabama-Huntsville two years ago, the talented forward made an immediate impact for the Pointers. In 20 games a year ago, he scored 20 goals, the second-most on the team, and he currently leads … Read more
It is February and that means there are precious few weeks to earn wins and points to improve your standing, seeding and otherwise build momentum heading into the most crucial part of the season. There continues to be a lot of movement in most of the conferences but not so much at the very top … Read more
The Collegiate Hockey Federation (CHF) and the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) will partner to launch AAU College Hockey, a new model of collegiate hockey in the United States, the organizations announced in a joint statement Jan. 19. The program will commence with the 2023-24 hockey season and be operated as a varsity-level sport under the … Read more
Cold weather. An outdoor rink. A game between two rivals in a key MIAC game under the lights in Minnesota’s Polar Lake Park. The setting couldn’t have been any better for the Division III showdown featuring Saint John’s and Augsburg last Friday night. The ending was even better, with Jackson Sabo of the Johnnies scoring … Read more
There is no doubt things are heating up in all the conferences in the east. Plattsburgh now sits atop the SUNYAC while Trinity has taken over the top spot in NESCAC. Utica, Endicott and Plymouth State continue as unbeatens in conference play but the battles up and down the standings are even more contested in … Read more
The final weekend of January is here and it’s all conference play across the schedule. Saint John’s and Augsburg play a big MIAC series, with Friday’s game being played outdoors, and nationally ranked UW-Stevens Point faces a big test against UW-Stout, the hottest team in the MIAC at the moment. In the NCHA, St. Norbert … Read more
Any given weekend. That’s the theme of D-III West Hockey this season. A team can go into a big weekend series ranked in the top 15 in the USCHO D-III men’s national poll and seemingly the favorite only to come away feeling the sting of defeat. The lesson here is that while rankings are great … Read more
While the hockey world has long been known for its great philanthropy and support of many diverse charitable endeavors, a close connection to a cause always brings a clearer focus and engagement. Sophomore Jack Cooper at King’s College will be front and center when the hockey team hosts their Huntington’s Disease Awareness Night on Friday … Read more
Yes, there are still three unbeatens in conference play (Endicott, Plymouth State & Utica) in the east and all face some stiff competition this weekend which should be exciting for fans everywhere looking for the upset bug to continue its presence in all D-III hockey. Last week’s picks improved slightly at 8-3-1 (.708) which brings … Read more
Matteas Derraugh and David Cohen stepped up in a big way for Lake Forest Saturday night. Both players scored twice to propel the Foresters to an upset win over Adrian, which came into the night ranked third in the nation in the USCHO NCAA Division III men’s poll. A wild first period ended with Derraugh … Read more
Rivalry games, it doesn’t matter if they are in conference or not, the intensity level is always much higher than for a not so familiar opponent and sometimes the results are surprising. Add in incredible performances by a single player like Nolan Moore or Chance Gorman and the recipe for dropping a tough game goes … Read more
Team USA completed the men’s ice hockey tournament by doing something no other team representing the USA had done in the previous editions of the Winter World University Games, they played in the gold medal game and took home the silver medal finishing 5-2-0 in their seven games. They played a better Canadian team today … Read more
Playing for the first time in Herb Brooks Arena in Lake Placid during these World University Games, Team USA defeated Japan, 4-3 on an overtime goal from Sam Ruffin (Adrian) to send the US to the gold medal game against either Canada or Kazakhstan on Sunday. The first period saw both teams playing aggressively with … Read more