Special teams and depth lead to success for Cornell women

In Cornell coach Doug Derraugh’s first NCAA appearance, a reporter asked him about his team’s “risky” style of play. It’s a moment that’s stuck with him ever since. He wouldn’t characterize the Big Red’s style as risky, though he admits that he does try to play an aggressive brand of hockey. Cornell wants to play … Read more

Wednesday Women: Moving toward success

Dana Trivigno (BC - 8), Kelly Pannek (Minnesota - 19) - The University of Minnesota Golden Gophers defeated the Boston College Eagles 3-1 to win the 2016 NCAA national championship on Sunday, March 20, 2016, at the Whittemore Center Arena in Durham, New Hampshire. (Melissa Wade)

Candace and Arlan look at Wisconsin’s Fill the Bowl success, Minnesota-Duluth’s first sweep of Minnesota since 2010, some other puzzling results, like Northeastern getting swept by Maine, what shuffling might occur in the standings, and early favorites for the Patty Kazmaier Award.

Harvard grad Ruggiero to be enshrined into IIHF Hall of Fame

Adding to a long list of accolades, former Harvard women’s hockey great Angela Ruggiero will be inducted to the IIHF Hall of Fame. The ceremony for the IIHF Hall of Fame will take place May 21 in Cologne, Germany. Ruggiero joins Saku Koivu, Uwe Krupp, Joe Sakic, Teemu Selanne and Dieter Kalt as the induction … Read more

St. Cloud building through offense

Taking over a program, installing your systems, and creating a new culture take time. St. Cloud State coach Eric Rud has patience. And the work he and his team have put in since he took over as head coach before the 2014-15 season is starting to show results. Despite heading into the winter break on … Read more

Wednesday Women: Finding confidence

Kassidy Sauve of Ohio State (Tim Brule)

Arlan and Nicole look at teams that had a hit to their confidence, like St. Lawrence and Colgate, and teams that may have gained some confidence from their surprise results, such as Mercyhurst, Providence, and St. Cloud State, as well as some of the favorites and what will happen in the PairWise in the second half.

Clarkson looks to return to national title

The increased depth and parity in women’s hockey — especially in the NCAA — can be a bit of a double-edged sword. On the one hand, there are more talented players available for a wider array of teams and, as Clarkson proved in 2014, the National Championship can be won by any team, from any … Read more

Santa’s wish list for women’s D-I

It’s the midway point of the season, and all but a few teams are done with their schedule until after the new year. As the students prepare for finals and we all head into the holidays, I’ve prepared a letter to Santa to let him know what I wish for each of the Division I … Read more

Quinnipiac looks to continue building

There have been some adjustment and bumps in the road in the early part of this season for the Quinnipiac Bobcats, as they graduated what coach Cassie Turner called “six pivotal seniors.” But even with a few stumbles early on, the Bobcats are currently ranked eighth in the country and third in the ECAC as … Read more

Wednesday Women: The rest of the pack

RMU womens hockey. Photo by Jason Cohn (JASON COHN/RMU ASSIGNED)

Arlan and Nicole look at some other potential NCAA tournament teams besides Minnesota and Wisconsin, especially in the CHA, and go in depth on the ECAC, as well as what teams in Hockey East have the potential to knock Boston College from the top of the roost.

Colgate starts with a bang

Last year was a breakout season for the Colgate Raiders. They won 22 games and made it to the ECAC tournament semifinals. It was an incredible turnaround from the 2014-15 season, where the team finished 7-25-2. The Raiders weren’t done. This season, they are thus far undefeated and are currently ranked fifth in the D-I … Read more

Wednesday Women: New records

Grace Harrison (St. Lawrence - 29) made 27 saves and improved to 8-0-1. ((c) Shelley M. Szwast 2016)

Candace and Nicole take a look at Ann-Renee Desbiens setting a new shutout record, the strengths of Wisconsin and Minnesota, what the Boston College-Boston University split portends in Hockey East, St. Lawrence’s continued early success, and the parity in the CHA.

St. Lawrence gets out to good start

It’s been a surprising and prolific start to the season for the St. Lawrence Saints. One of just four undefeated teams left, they’ve started the season 7-0-1. They are near the top in both team offense and team defense and junior Kennedy Marchment is the number two scorer in the country with six goals and … Read more

Wednesday Women: Moving on up

Erin Hall of Holy Cross, one of the tri-captains. (Mark Seliger)

Candace and Arlan look at Holy Cross moving up and compare the Crusaders to previous teams that have moved up to D-I, try to make sense of the many contenders in the ECAC, look at whether Boston College is the favorite in Hockey East, ponder whether North Dakota or Minnesota-Duluth has an edge in the at-large bid battle, and also debate the strengths and weaknesses of teams in the CHA.

Princeton’s later start not a problem

With a school schedule that start weeks later than anyone else, the Ivy League schools are always the last ones to take the ice during the women’s hockey season. A full month after Wisconsin and St. Cloud State opened play, the Ivies hit the ice and gave us our first full look at the full … Read more