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NCAA Division I Women’s Hockey: Wednesday Women with guest Gabriella Fundaro – Frozen Four wishes and broadcasting dreams

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Nicole: Halloween may be over, but we’ve got a special treat this week as Gabriella Fundaro joins me as a Guest Contributor to Wednesday Women. Gabs writes about women’s college hockey at The Ice Garden and has been covering the sport for various outlets for 10 years. 

Gabs and I both wrote this week about the NCAA Gender Equity Review report that came out on Monday. The report detailed the many differences in the way the NCAA supports men’s and women’s championships, from signage and advertising to differences in tournament selection protocol. It’s all required reading as far as I’m concerned, but she and I also agreed there was plenty more to talk about than what either of us could cover in a single article. 

This review came about after women’s basketball players took to social media to show the inadequate set up they were provided in their championship bubble. Those posts went viral and forced the NCAA to respond because the noise became too loud to ignore. 

The inequities that exist between men’s and women’s hockey aren’t new, but the sport hasn’t had a moment like that where people with enough clout pay attention and join the fight. The report showed how the NCAA had already failed to follow through on internal reviews of places they were falling short, so I’m not particularly convinced that anything will come out of this, either. 

I said on Twitter after it was released that I wish there had been a more deliberate roll out of the information the report contained. It would have been super impactful if each day they released the details of specific sports so that the headlines every day for a week were about the ways the NCAA was failing its athletes. The impact of seeing disparate spending figures, staffing and promotion would have been really impactful. 

With the report coming out all at once, each individual sport covered the issues and information relevant to them, but I feel like we missed out on an opportunity to have a much bigger impact. 

We’ve both been to numerous Frozen Fours, so none of this was new information to either of us, but Gabs, I wondered if any one piece of data surprised or stood out to you?

Gabs: I think I was most surprised by the review’s finding that sports that produce the most revenue on one side (all men’s championships) feature the deepest inequities for their women’s counterparts–meaning that women’s hockey players are facing some of the greatest resource disparities.

I’m slightly confused by the NCAA’s logic here. No athlete should have to suffer through fewer resources and subpar playing experiences just because their sports don’t churn up enough cash, but from a purely business perspective, the NCAA appears to be hampering itself. If you can make money off of a men’s tournament–one that is by nature well-established and has had decades upon decades to grow–it stands to reason there’s potential for that sport’s women’s tournament to make money as well, with more investment and time to grow.

Instead, the NCAA has chosen to compound the disparities that already exist by investing more resources and dollars into sports that are already successful–primarily men’s sports–and capping those same resources for sports that are still growing. That includes women’s ice hockey. 

I guess I was also surprised to learn that the disparities were so great for women’s ice hockey, compared to other sports. I always thought, in the back of my mind, that the smaller resource pool and sparser promotions were due to the nature of hockey in general. It’s a pretty niche sport, even on the men’s side. But it turns out the experiences for folks involved in NCAA men’s hockey and NCAA women’s hockey are starkly different.

The shame of it is that NCAA women’s hockey will never be able to grow unless those inequities are addressed. The review spells this out pretty plainly (and we’ve of course seen this firsthand at Frozen Fours), but the Division I men’s Frozen Four and Division I women’s Frozen Four are held in arenas of very different sizes. It makes sense that more resources are needed to run a tournament in an NHL arena compared to an on-campus rink (the report notes this might explain the much larger budget for signage for the men’s championship), but if you continuously hamper women’s hockey by holding it in smaller arenas with fewer promotions, then how do you expect it to ever produce revenue for you? Is there an organization in the world that would expect to see the same return on investment on budgets of $4.2 million and $656,827?

The report expressed reason for optimism based on “the NCAA’s recent efforts”. Phase I of the review was released a few weeks ago; following that initial report, the NCAA took a few steps already to address some glaring inequities. That’s all well and good. But as you mentioned, Nicole, the NCAA only agreed to launch an independent review of its championships after women’s basketball players took it upon themselves to showcase the disparities live from their March Madness bubble. 

I’m going to be much more cautious about my optimism, knowing that. Women’s basketball players never should have been faced with that burden–nor should any athlete in the future. Yet I fear that’s the only meaningful way to garner mainstream attention and hold the NCAA to account. I hope that NCAA administrators will do what’s right and address some of the things called out in the ice hockey case study immediately, without women’s hockey players needing to pick up the burden themselves.

Beyond just straight budgetary numbers, the areas to address are aplenty. I’m curious, is there anything in particular you’d want the NCAA to change or fix immediately in regards to the women’s ice hockey tournament (whether it was explicitly mentioned in the report or not)?

Nicole: Well I could (and probably should) write a whole column about this. So many of my thoughts and ideas kind of inform and rely on other things, so I’m going to try to get this in some semblance of order, but my apologies in advance if things get a little convoluted.

It was a step forward to have the National Championship game televised on ESPN this year, but the first semifinal was only streamed on ESPN+ and the quarterfinals are streamed on NCAA.com with dubious quality of video, audio and commentary. There are a total of seven games in this tournament and there’s no way that anyone that’s not already a fan is watching most of them. 

Additionally, the games that were televised featured commentary that was rudimentary at best. Just because someone knows hockey doesn’t mean they know women’s college hockey. I was appreciative that ESPN had some articles online leading up to the games this year, but what they published had numerous errors. And the broadcasters used those articles are part of their prep, so they just repeated the wrong information. The entire broadcast was perfectly fine, but in a year when it finally reached a bigger audience, there was an opportunity to really showcase the sport and the teams. It is just so disappointing to know how many great stories and players there are and to see the same five facts about the Patty Kaz and the coaches get trotted out. 

I just tried to find information about this year’s tournament, and couldn’t, no matter how many different ways I Googled it. Tickets are already on sale for the men’s tournament and the championship home page has link after link with information. The women’s page has a tiny sidebar and the links take you to general NCAA pages that don’t actually have anything about women’s hockey on them.  

The men’s tournament is a destination that ends up basically being a men’s college hockey convention. It’s a celebration of the game as people buy tickets and plan to go whether or not their team will be there. It would be amazing to have even a sliver of that kind of atmosphere at the women’s tournament. The conference commissioners don’t even go to the women’s championship because they are all at the men’s conference tournaments that happen the same weekend. I have no idea how anyone thinks this sport can grow when it feels like even the people that are paid to care, just don’t. It’s so disheartening and adds to the feeling that the women are an afterthought. 

As there are rules about the size of the arena to be used, the women’s tournament has been relegated to a small handful of campus sites and unfortunately, many of those are simply not easily accessible. Minneapolis has hosted a number of tournaments, but the rest have been held in much smaller towns. Where the women play this year in State College, PA, the men are in Boston. The past few years, the women have played in Erie, PA, Hamden, CT and Durham, NH. It’s difficult and expensive for me to get there to cover the games, so I can’t imagine it’s any easier for fans or people new to the game. 

Before we move on, did I miss anything you’d like to see changed? 

Moving into current action, the Ivy League schools have all started their seasons, so we’re finally all back on the ice, which feels like such a blessing. We can talk about specific teams, but I also wanted to ask about your take on the season so far and what teams you’ve been keeping an eye on. 

Gabs: There are a few things on my list, although you touched on most of the big ones! You hit the nail on the head about the two different atmospheres we’re dealing with; a “men’s hockey convention” is a very apt description for the men’s Frozen Four. The location is definitely a huge part of that. Men’s Frozen Fours have even been held in places where there is no Division I college hockey team; Tampa in 2016 comes to mind. 

Women’s Frozen Fours are almost always tied to campus host sites, so there isn’t a real possibility of going outside the box and picking a place that’s going to be a big draw as a standalone destination. The women’s host sites for this next cycle in 2023-26 (Duluth, MN, Durham, NH, Minneapolis, MN, and University Park, PA) will also have hosted multiple times, so the appeal just isn’t the same. And I don’t need to tell you this, but one of the best possible campus sites is continuously passed over for a women’s Frozen Four: Madison, WI. The women’s arena is too small to host but the Kohl Center, where the men’s team plays, is too big (I guess). Madison would be a fun place, a new place, and would assuredly draw strong crowds, but can’t seem to win a bid.

The Gender Equity Review noted this, but the atmosphere at each championship, regardless of location, is very different, too. Most notably, the men’s Frozen Four gets a fan fest while the women’s does not. I would love to see the NCAA invest in more programming around the weekend for the women’s Frozen Four to up the excitement level for fans. Boston University sadly did not get to host in 2020 because of the pandemic, but they were set to host a women’s sports media roundtable that weekend to engage the campus community. This is one very small example, but it would have made for an interesting addition to an already great weekend of hockey, and it’s not a concept that’s difficult to repeat from year to year.

It would also be fantastic to raise the profile of the first round of the tournament. Typically all four quarterfinal games are played a week before the Frozen Four; the high seed hosts. These games are never nationally televised and instead are streamed through NCAA.com. They’re often played on the same time and at the same time. And that’s a real shame, because some of the most nail-biting, exciting hockey happens in those games. This is purely anecdotal but for more casual fans who don’t follow Division I women’s hockey super closely, I think it helped them follow along this past year when the quarterfinals happened the same week, at the same site as the Frozen Four. It felt like one cohesive event. It certainly helped national media like yourself provide coverage for the entire tournament.

Anyway, you brought up this year’s actual hockey games, so let’s talk actual hockey games. I’m thrilled that we have the Ivy League back in action and we have a true season once again. The Ivies have played a maximum of two weekends so far, but there’s already a lot we’re learning about them. And there is a lot to learn about those teams; so much has changed for them since the spring of 2020. 

Cornell, who won the Ivy League and the ECAC regular season in 2020, has faltered a bit out of the gate. None of that is particularly surprising; I can’t think of a team in recent memory that’s lost more than the Big Red did from their 2019-20 squad. Their top lines and their top-four defensive core have all since graduated or moved on. That’s an impossible amount for any team to replace, even in what’s technically been two offseasons. In their first weekend, after a loss against Mercyhurst, the Big Red fought back to secure a 4-0 win in game two; they failed to rebound the same way this past weekend in ECAC play. After losing to Harvard, they fell to Dartmouth. Both are teams who I expect to improve on their 2019-20 performances; it’s a telling marker of where the Big Red are at early on, though.

Yale, which in 2019-20 had its first season above .500 since 2006-07, is another team that I think could push their ceiling even higher. They’re 2-2 so far, with both losses coming this past weekend against two top-10 teams in Princeton and Quinnipiac. They definitely controlled the run of play for stretches this weekend; they’ve still got to figure out a way to convert and score goals, but the pieces are clearly there. 

Similar to Cornell, Princeton is another top Ivy League team with a few question marks. Sarah Fillier, who’s been their offensive driver for the past two seasons, is centralized with Team Canada. The Tigers also graduated their No. 1 defender and a 30-goal scorer. It feels like much of this season for them will be determined by just how many goals junior Maggie Connors can pile up without her line mates of the past two years; with three this weekend, she’s taking care of that so far. It’s far, far too early yet to make any judgments about stats, but I wonder if those absences end up hurting Princeton the most on the power play. They were 1-for-7 this weekend, off the pace they’ve been accustomed to scoring at with a player advantage.

You asked who else I’ve been keeping an eye on this season. I’ll answer with Quinnipiac and Northeastern, for two different reasons. Hardly anyone had the Bobcats pegged as a preseason contender but I think they’re going to make a lot of noise as the season progresses. So far, they’ve been up to task with an 8-0-2 record. They have genuine scoring talent, a strong goaltending tandem, and depth at both skater positions. They opened ECAC play this past weekend with wins over Brown and Yale; I’m excited to get into the thick of conference action to see what Quinnipiac does against teams like Colgate, Princeton, and Clarkson.

I’ve been watching Northeastern closely, too, ever since their very out of character weekend early on, where they fell to both Boston University and Providence. The Huskies have been better since then, though it felt like they were still missing a bit of their bravado up until last weekend. I think that’s pretty understandable for a team without Alina Müller, their top forward and perennial Patty Kaz nominee, but they’re definitely on the upswing. Their weekend sweep over Boston College seemed to be proof they’ve regained their full confidence and are back in control of the Hockey East race. 

On the flip side, those were tough games for the Eagles to drop. They came into the weekend actually ranked ahead of Northeastern in the polls; it seemed like a great chance for BC to take a bite out of the Huskies’ conference title hopes and assert themselves firmly as a team to beat. Instead, they couldn’t quite do enough to earn a win, and ended up falling especially flat on Saturday with a 3-0 shutout loss. Are there any similar missed opportunities for teams you’ve noted this season? Have you been surprised by Northeastern’s early-season losses, or a slow start for any other team?

Nicole: I feel like Clarkson’s non-conference schedule could come back to bite them when we get to the end of the season. They’ve won their conference matchups so far and maybe they’ll just go through the ECAC and win the auto bid and it won’t be an issue, but it’s hard not to look at the tie with Syracuse and the tie and loss to Bemidji and not think about how those will affect their strength of schedule and quality win points. 

It may not be in exactly the same category, but Penn State has a number of one-goal losses already, as well as two ties. Their first four games against St. Lawrence and Boston College looked to be a chance for them to make a statement and prove they were overlooked last season, but ended up with three one-goal losses and a tie. I just think they’d be a different team with the confidence and momentum of a couple of wins there. 

And I think Providence has one of those stretches coming up. They got that great win over Northeastern and haven’t carried that into some non-conference games. They clearly have the talent and ability. They have to make some waves in their next four games – two against Northeastern and then two against BC. 

It’s hard to hold teams accountable for our own expectations, especially in a year like this one with so many variables, but I do think there are some teams that look really good on paper and haven’t quite found their stride yet. 

Northeastern’s start is definitely the surprise of the season so far for me. On paper, they looked like they’d be picking right back up where they left off in March – in better shape than they probably planned on, since I think they assumed a number of their players would be centralized. 

While I’m well aware of how good Müller is, I really didn’t expect the team to flounder as much as they have with her on the bench. It’s not just her scoring or passing they seem to be missing, but her leadership and presence on the ice. It seems like other players have stepped up to provide the offense, but as we saw from her exuberance in the stands at Worlds, Müller brings energy and enthusiasm and it’s infectious. I’m not sure that can be recreated. 

Another team that isn’t yet quite as good as I thught they’d be on paper is Minnesota Duluth. I think we were all so focused on the addition of Elizabeth Giguere that we didn’t account for how big a loss Ashton Bell was. The offense took a few weeks to really gel, but seems to be settling in. They’ve been less successful at keeping teams off the board on the other end. So far, they’ve mostly been able to be prolific enough on offense to offset the seemingly weaker defense, but it’s a fairly narrow margin and I’m not sure that’s something they want to bank on all season long. 

I think Clarkson fits in this category, too. They’ve been less consistent than we’re used to from them and I thought they’d be really strong on offense – which they have in some games. But they managed just one goal in four of their games so far. Their goals against is a respectable 1.10, but I really thought they’d be putting up three or more goals most games and that has not been the case. 

On the other side, there have been some delightful surprise teams so far this season. I could not be more excited to watch Dartmouth as the year goes on, which I’m certain is not a thing I’ve ever said in my time covering the sport (Sorry, Big Green!). It’s amazing to see a new coaching staff make a difference immediately and I think that’s the case here. Liz Keady Norton was a great hire and I expect even more good things from this program while she’s at the helm.

RPI is definitely succeeding on the back of another shutdown goalie in Amanda Rampando, but they have an improved offense and that has made a big difference. 

Has anyone else exceeded your expectations so far?

Gabs: There are definitely a few teams. UConn has impressed me early on in Hockey East play; they haven’t had the toughest schedule to start the year, but this appears to be a group that could raise the bar higher for their program. They’ve already rewritten the UConn history books–they’re the first Huskies team to start with a 7-0-0 record.

They stumbled a bit with a 3-0 loss to Merrimack this weekend, but rebounded with an overtime win at Vermont. UConn is an intriguing team to me because of the talent they return in their fifth-year players, namely Natalie Snodgrass and the Wabick twins. Summer-Rae Dobson was also a notable offseason transfer. We’ve seen UConn put together Hockey East tournament runs before; I’m curious to see what they can do against some of the league’s top competition with all of the pieces they have.

I’ve also been pleasantly surprised with Union’s play at times, though they have yet to pull off a big win. They do have a 2-2 tie against Mercyhurst to their name, though, and they pushed then-No. 9 Providence to the brink in a 2-1 loss. I do not expect them to be in the ECAC playoff conversation at all, but they’ve kept it close against a few good teams, despite losing six of their seven top scorers from 2019-20 and missing the entirety of last season. For a team that had been on the uptick–they had their best season two years ago with a ninth-place conference finish–those are the performances you hope to see so you can continue to build.

Harvard is another team I’d put in this category. They’re not exactly exceeding expectations, but that’s only because with the talent they have, I have them right in the mix of the ECAC race. So far, the Crimson are living up to that billing. They’re 2-1 in conference play, with sizable wins over Dartmouth and Cornell and a 5-4 loss to Colgate, who looks to be the team to beat early on.

There are some players who are standing out for me early on, too. Dara Greig was a little bit of an under-the-radar transfer pickup, but she’s been quite an important piece for Colgate up front with five multi-point games so far. Senior Courtney Correia at Boston University has helped fill some gaps in offensive production left by departed players; she’s well on pace to snap her career-high for points. It’s early for the Ivys, but Charlotte Welch looks very good for Yale. She was nearly a point-per-game player as a sophomore and I think she could surpass that for the Bulldogs this year and feature as a more dynamic playmaker.

Which individual performances have stood out to you so far?

Nicole: I was also thinking about Dara Greig. She was not getting a lot of time on the ice at Wisconsin, so I’m excited for her to find a new home where she seems to be flourishing. Her teammate Kalty Kaltounkova was impressive as a rookie last season and seems only to have gotten better this year. She’s a player I think we’re going to enjoy watching grow over the next few years. She’s so big and solid and still really smooth and agile on the ice. 

Vanessa Upson was just named Rookie and Forward of the Month in the CHA. It feels like we’ve had some phenomenal breakout rookies in the CHA in the past few seasons and it might be her turn. Her teammates Sara Boucher and Kristy Pidgeon are also having great starts to the season. 

I’m always impressed by first-year players that slot into their teams and get up to speed quickly.  Wisconsin’s Sarah Wozniewicz has added more depth for the Badgers, standing out on their third line and making them an even tougher team to match up with up and down the line chart. 

I feel like Sadie Peart of Quinnipiac has taken on a bigger role this season. She was third on the team in scoring as a rookie with 12 goals and 12 assists in 37 games. Through 10 games this season, she’s already racked up 6 goals and 9 assists. She seems to have grown in her confidence, ability and leadership. 

It’s still early going, so I’m sure we’ll continue to see players separate themselves and show off. If you’d have asked me to guess who the 10 scorers would be so far, I’d probably only gotten two or three of them right. I’m actually really excited about that – I love seeing players step up and into new roles and new stars emerge. It says nothing but good things for now and the future of the sport. 

SUNYAC Preview: Lakers look to dethrone the Knights

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Oswego looks to be the team celebrating a conference championship next March (Photo by Oswego Athletics)

The SUNYAC has seen Geneseo win the last three championships contested prior to COVID and four of the last five so the pressure is certainly on the Knights who have high expectations and the most to lose.

“I am really surprised that we were picked first in the coaches’ poll,” said head coach Chris Schultz. “We have nine, just nine guys that have played for this team and coaching staff, so we are very young. We really like our goaltending situation which should help us as we develop and build experience, but we know the league will be tough. Oswego and Plattsburgh both have talented rosters and there are always contenders among the other teams. With most of us not having played in real competition in over 600 days, it will be very interesting to see who can come out of the gates playing good hockey.”

The Favorites

It seems like the “Big 3” are always in the mix, but Ed Gosek’s Oswego team has a different look this year with new talent from the recruiting and transfer paths onboard. The defense has added Troy Robillard (Alaska-Anchorage) and Quinn Warmuth (Robert Morris) in front of returning netminder Eric Green. If the Lakers can get the offense going quickly, they are a contender to unseat Geneseo.

It is impossible to ignore the Knights who have built a mini-dynasty pre-COVID. As coach Schultz noted the roster is talented but inexperienced so the maturation process will quickly determine how likely Geneseo is to defending their conference championship. Goaltenders Matt Petzian (junior) and Adam Harris (freshman) will be counted on to cover up some early learning from the young team.

The Dark Horses

Plattsburgh is always a contender, and this year coach Steve Moffatt has the shelves fully stocked with talent on a large roster. There are a healthy number of first and second year players literally playing in their first collegiate season so how quickly they mesh along with finding consistent goaltending (Anthony Del Tufo and Jacob Hearne) could have them peaking at the right time of the season.

Brockport just may be this year’s surprise squad.  Coach Brian Dickinson has a bench with depth and experience and includes goaltender Nolan Egbert from Massachusetts-Boston and forward Sam DiBitetto from Norwich. Mitchell Parsons and Corey Tam will also lead the offense for the Golden Eagles.

Players to watch

 

Brockport:                        Mitchell Parsons –  forward; Sam DiBitetto – forward

Buffalo State:                   Nikita Kozyrev – forward; Troy Button – defenseman

Cortland:                          Alex Storjohann – forward; Andrew Clifford – forward

Fredonia:                          Matt Letmanski – forward; Chandler Judd – forward

Geneseo:                          Chris Perna – defenseman; Matt Petzian – goaltender

Morrisville:                       Brendan Krawczyk – forward; Robert Haak – defenseman

Oswego:                           Travis Broughman – forward; Eric Green – goaltender

Plattsburgh:                     Richie McCartney – forward; Jacob Modry – defenseman

Potsdam:                          Corson Green – defenseman; Chris Gratton – defenseman

USCHO predicted finish 

  1. Oswego
  2. Geneseo
  3. Plattsburgh
  4. Brockport
  5. Buffalo State
  6. Potsdam
  7. Cortland
  8. Fredonia
  9. Morrisville

While Geneseo is off to a quick 2-0-0 start, Oswego (0-2-0) and Plattsburgh (1-1-0) will want to get their game in high gear as conference play begins this weekend.

This Week in NCHC Hockey: Western Michigan recognizing campus land sitting on Indigenous grounds

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McCORKLE

Fans of several NHL teams may have been noticing the creation of land acknowledgements, in which teams publicly recognize that their facilities sit on land stewarded by Indigenous peoples since time immemorial.

Western Michigan is one of a growing list of universities also participating in this practice.

In September 2019, the university’s trustees approved an institutional land acknowledgment statement created earlier that year as a collaborative effort between WMU graduate students and representatives from the Council of Three Fires. Both WMU and nearby Kalamazoo College sit on ancestral lands of the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi, Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Band of Pottawatomi and the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of Potawatomi peoples.

WMU’s institutional land acknowledgement statement, which can be found on the university’s diversity and inclusion office website, is printed in the school’s commencement bulletin and several other campus publications.

The school’s athletic department was an early adopter of the institutional land acknowledgment. It is publicized in game programs, livestreams and on pregame announcements read over public address systems at home games, including those at Lawson Ice Arena.

“As it’s an institutional statement, we asked all the units across campus to utilize the statement,” said Candy McCorkle, Western Michigan VP for diversity and inclusion. “We don’t mandate that they have to use it, but athletics was one of the first units to say, ‘Hey, we like this.’”

Scripts for PA reads, program notes and the like are crafted to show WMU’s athletic department’s own recognition of the university being located on lands historically occupied by the Ojibwe, Odawa, and Bodéwadmi nations. Fans and others in attendance are asked to take a moment to acknowledge and honor those lands, as well as the sacred lands of all Indigenous peoples.

WMU isn’t the only university in the state that has crafted a land acknowledgment statement. The University of Michigan also has one, as does Michigan State University’s anthropology department.

WMU’s land acknowledgment is part of the university’s focus on working in tandem with area Indigenous communities. Data from the end of the Spring 2021 semester indicates that 0.3 percent of WMU’s student population identified as being of Indigenous descent.

“A commitment I have made is to try and address all of our marginalized communities,” she said. “It’s realizing that, how can we have 0.3 percent Indigenous students when we sit in the middle of three tribes? How do we increase that?

“It’s not just, ‘Oh, bring your students to us,’ but it’s also thinking about how we develop a partnership with our Indigenous communities. You have to invest in the community, and there has to be a partnership.

Feedback from area Indigenous communities has been good, McCorkle said. She noted, however, that the university’s efforts to strengthen those ties must be continuous.

“I have encouraged any of us who choose to reach out to make sure that it is a partnership,” McCorkle said. “Never approach it as, ‘Oh, I’m going to do this for you.’ People don’t need you to do something for them; they want to do something with you. Always taking that attitude has made this a positive relationship.

“My advice to any college that has reached out to me is: do not do this in a vacuum. Make sure you’re working with your tribal partners in doing this. The statement should not be something you do as an institution, for your institution. It should be doing something with (Indigenous peoples) to recognize that we have a shared history, and that statement is a first acknowledgement of that.”

NE-10 Preview: Race seen as wide-open for the conference title

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SNHU’s Joe Fiorino hopes to lead the Penmen into conference contention (Photo by SNHU Athletics/Jim Stankiewicz)

This conference is truly wide open and the battle for just the four playoff spots will be intense. Coach Sean Walsh at SNHU thinks the spots could come down to the final weekend.

“It is going to be interesting to see all of the rosters and how the teams on the ice shake out,” said Walsh. “The league is deep, and the talent is definitely there but with only four playoff spots just getting in is the first battle and then you can go from there in a one-and-done tournament. The last four weeks of our schedule are brutal so we need to get points everywhere we can – you can’t win the conference in the first-half, but you can knock yourself out of it with a poor start.”

“I think the group in Vermont has to be the favorite,” said Walsh. “The [Sel] Narby kid is a special player and there is a good group of players around him, so I expect St. Michael’s to be right there battling.”

The Favorites

St. Michael’s returns a very deep roster and perhaps the best player in the conference in defenseman Sel Narby.  The Purple Knights have an experienced goaltender in Hugo Turcotte and should have good balanced scoring from a deep group of forwards. Goal scoring and special teams will be key for Damian DiGiulian’s squad.

St. Anselm also returns a deep roster and Anthony Iacullo is among the best scorers in the conference. The Hawks feature a deep group of forwards along with a big and mobile defense corps including Sean Healy, Trevor Hott, Jack Murphy and Luke Mix. Nick Howard has been good when healthy and he is a key to St Anselm competing for the title.

 The Dark Horse

The Assumption Greyhounds have a number of skilled forwards that can score in any situation. The key will be the defensive zone for the Greyhounds where they will need to establish some consistent goaltending and defensive puck movement to free up the talented forwards on the roster.

 Players to watch:

Assumption:                                   Dante Maribito – forward; Devan Sheth- forward

Franklin Pierce:                              Adam Carman – goaltender; Alex O’Dowd – forward

Post:                                                 Brandon Brown – goaltender; Evan Lugo – forward

Southern New Hampshire:          Joe Fiorino – defenseman; Andy Somerville – forward

Stonehill:                                         Max Pineo – forward; John Day – goaltender

St. Anselm:                                     Sean Healy – defenseman; Anthony Iacullo – forward

St. Michael’s:                                 Sel Narby – defenseman; Hugo Turcotte – goaltender

USCHO Predicted finish

  1. St. Michael’s
  2. St. Anselm
  3. Assumption
  4. Southern New Hampshire
  5. Stonehill
  6. Franklin Pierce
  7. Post

The season has already seen its first COVID protocol postponement for St. Michael’s last weekend so the move into conference play will be an additional challenge with the first competition of the season and three games upcoming on the weekend.

 

One-time transfer rule has changed the college hockey landscape, but not to everyone’s liking

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Eric Dop spent four seasons at Bowling Green before transferring to Boston College to play a fifth season in 2021-22 (photo: Alastair Ingram).

The adoption of legislation by the NCAA on April 28 that extended one-time transfers to men’s hockey may have permanently and significantly changed the landscape of the sport.

The ability for players to move to another program without having to sit a year — which only applied to men’s hockey, men’s and women’s basketball, football, and baseball before — is expected to open up a season of “free agency” each spring.

Compounding that is the extra year of eligibility granted to NCAA athletes because of COVID-19 and the suspension of programs at Robert Morris and Alabama Huntsville.

That led to an unprecedented number of players seeking greener pastures or just simply any place to play.

Grand Forks Herald college hockey reporter Brad Elliott Schlossman published an ongoing list of transfers culled from the NCAA transfer portal, which by October 1 had reached a record 154 players moving from one Division I program to another. All but 11 active D-I programs have added at least one transfer to their team this season.

While many programs have been able to fill holes or replenish rosters left incomplete by early departures, there is not a lot of love for the new transfer rules from some NCAA D-I coaches.

USCHO has discussed transfers with guests of its Spotlight and Game of the Week podcasts this season. Even coaches who have seen their programs benefit by adding transfers are not necessarily happy with the new system.

In college football, many have worried that the very best programs will be the ones who benefit the most, especially when name, image, and likeness opportunities may be a financial draw for a player.

Michigan Tech coach Joe Shawhan shared his concern that hockey will see the same situation.

“Certain schools are going to be able to say, ‘Okay, we’ll bring in these two or three first-round, second-round draft picks,'” Shawhan told USCHO. “‘But I like this player over here on this team. And I like this player over here on this team, and he knows a player on his team that played with them in juniors … I think we could have a chance at that kid.’

“Well, all of a sudden that kid’s gonna show up in the portal,” said Shawhan. “And so these teams are losing all these players to signing early and teams are going to both be able to choose to bring in the best young players they want, but they’re also going to get that experience by, in my opinion, stealing very good players from other from other teams.”

Pointing to early non-conference success against ranked teams that Atlantic Hockey teams such as Bentley and Sacred Heart have had, Providence coach Nate Leaman suggested that rather than hurting teams that are not perennial powers, that it might help.

“Originally I think Atlantic Hockey teams really worried about the the transfer thing, about losing players,” Leaman told USCHO. “But if you look at someone like Sacred Heart that has seven grad transfers, and the wins that they’re having with those older players, maybe it’s helping that league.”

In the short term, picking up graduate transfers is a way for teams with a young roster to get a bit more age and experience and for a team depleted by early departures to restock with seasoned players or to fill holes.

The need for age, experience, and maturity is even more of an issue with the presence of fifth-year players in college hockey at some level for three more seasons. At the Ice Breaker in Duluth in October, Providence lost games to then-No. 1 Minnesota State and then-No. 5 Minnesota Duluth, both programs that have built some success with older players.

Leaman noted that he had 2003 birth-year players going up against players as much as six years older and that taught the Friars that they had to be tougher.

“College hockey is old as it’s ever been,” Leaman said. “I bet you if you look at a lot of teams they’re maybe older than [AHL] teams.”

The addition of fifth-year players, either staying with their team for the extra season, or transferring to another, has also bloated rosters that would typically have 26 to 28 players.

Bentley coach Ryan Soderquist acknowledged the difficulty posed by a larger roster, both in playing time and recruiting.

“You see a lot of programs across the country — even ourselves being at 30 guys is high — it’s a lot of guys to manage and you get a lot of kids that are working really hard that haven’t had a chance to get in the lineup yet, which is tough to see,” Soderquist told USCHO. “So you know, you’re trying to manage roster size, you’re trying to manage having a little wiggle room, that really good player comes up late that you like and trying to have space and money available for that.”

D-I coaches got a preview of that future this past spring when the portal got flooded with players putting in to transfer.

The coaches who have been USCHO podcast guests all said that the players they have selected via transfer have largely been those with whom they’ve had a relationship before in some way — whether through recruiting or with players on their teams that know them from previous levels of hockey.

Yet each was concerned about a free agency season that may mirror professional sports.

“Well, I can tell you it’s not fun. I can tell you, the coaches don’t like it at all,” said Leaman. “I can tell you [that last spring] I got phone calls from my players, and [they were] just routine phone calls about, seeing a doc, or I’m gonna miss this, or going to be late. And your heart was dropping at times, because it’s that time of year, you don’t know when a kid’s gonna call you and tell you. I don’t like it.”

“[I] personally don’t like the one-time transfer,” said Soderquist. “I think it’s creating a mess in college hockey, and it’s gonna be springtime, it’s going to be free agency, and you’re dealing with that it’s kind of a pro model now, in terms of managing your team and trying to leave scholarship money open late for the transfer portal. It’s a different environment to be in.”

Soderquist noted that the portal might provide players a better opportunity to play on a team that can get them into the lineup or where they’d be a better academic fit. But that provision has always existed where there was mutual agreement between schools.

“It also on the flip side has helped some student athletes that were just in a bad situation, and they just needed a fresh start,” said Soderquist. “I’ve always believed, a kid should be able to be allowed to transfer if both institutions agree, if both staffs and both athletic directors agree, a one-time transfer should be allowed. I think that would be a good balance versus just everyone can transfer.”

Fourteen D-I players who entered the transfer portal and who did not make a D-I team, landed at D-III schools and two others at Canadian universities. But well over 100 players, mostly underclassmen, did not find a roster spot with another program.

“Two hundred fifty of them were looking for greener pastures, thinking this portal is the greatest thing in the world because they’re a depth player or not having the role that they wanted on the team they’re on and ended up not having any place to play,” said Shawhan.

“The grass isn’t always greener, for a lot of players,” said Leaman. “I think that will be seen over two or three years.”

With the one-time transfer rule now a fixture in D-I men’s hockey, coaches are going to have to adjust to the new landscape.

“I’m sure it’s here to stay,” said Soderquist. “And we’re gonna have to learn how to deal with that and have it be to our advantage.”

“If [players] are seeking glitter, they have the avenue now to leave, and we have to live with it,” Shawhan said. “I guess we have to make ourselves glitter as well.”

College Hockey Inc. brings aboard former North Dakota SID Hajdu as new director of communications

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HAJDU

College Hockey Inc. has named Jayson Hajdu as the organization’s new director of communications.

Hajdu will lead College Hockey Inc.’s digital media, media relations and communications efforts.

His official start date is Monday, November 15.

“Jayson’s professional experience and personal passion for all things college hockey make him an ideal addition to College Hockey Inc.,” said College Hockey Inc. executive director Mike Snee in a news release. “There were many attractive and qualified candidates that expressed interest in joining College Hockey Inc., but Jayson clearly stood out.”

Hajdu brings to College Hockey Inc. more than two decades of experience in collegiate athletics and NCAA hockey. He worked in North Dakota’s athletic media relations office from 1995 to 2018, most recently serving as assistant athletics director for communications and primary men’s hockey contact from 2008 through 2018.

Under Hajdu’s direction, UND’s athletics communications office helped guide the athletics department through a major logo and nickname re-branding initiative, an NCAA re-classification from Division II to Division I, new conference affiliations, the opening of the multi-million-dollar UND Athletics High Performance Center indoor practice facility, and the launch of a new athletics website and mobile app in partnership with industry leader SIDEARM sports.

Additionally, Hajdu worked 10 NCAA Frozen Four championships, promoted 12 NCAA Division I men’s hockey All-Americans, four Hobey Baker Award finalists and 2015 Mike Richter Award recipient Zane McIntyre, co-hosted the Sit Down and Cheer podcast, and served as supervising producer for the popular digital series Through These Doors.

“I could not be more honored – and eager — to join College Hockey Inc.,” Hajdu said. “College hockey is my passion, and I believe in the mission of College Hockey Inc. Nate Ewell leaves behind incredibly big shoes to fill, but I’m looking forward to building upon the tremendous foundation he cultivated over the past decade.”

Following his tenure at North Dakota, Hajdu spent the past two years as the marketing and communications strategist for the National Museum of Toys and Miniatures in Kansas City, Missouri.

Robert Morris to host celebrity hockey game and silent auction, largest single fundraiser to help save men’s, women’s programs to date

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A golf outing and fundraiser is set for this Sunday to benefit the Robert Morris hockey programs (photo: RMU Athletics).

The Robert Morris Department of Athletics in partnership with the Pittsburgh College Hockey Foundation, it will host the first-ever RMU Celebrity Hockey Faceoff and silent auction this coming Sunday, Nov. 7, at the UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex in Cranberry Township, Pa.

The exhibition game and fundraising event will feature some of Pittsburgh’s most high-profile celebrities and former professional athletes as well as the market’s top media personalities playing against RMU hockey alumni from both the men’s and women’s programs.

The silent auction for the event is now live. To view items available for bidding or to place bids on those items, click here.

Former Pittsburgh Penguins to participate in the hockey game include Colby Armstrong, Phil Bourque, Ryan Malone and Eric Tangradi as well as RMU alum and two-time Olympian Brianne McLaughlin-Bittle. Other former professional athletes to take part or guest coach include former Pittsburgh Steelers Brett Keisel and Shaun Suisham, Pittsburgh mayor Bill Peduto, and other local greats.

Representing Pittsburgh media at the RMU Celebrity Hockey Faceoff include, among others, Mike Prisuta of WDVE, Andrew Stockey of WTAE and Larry Richert of KDKA. Special appearances will also be made by the RMU Pep Band, RMU’s mascot, ROMO, the Pirate Parrot, and many more VIP guests.

Doors for the RMU Celebrity Hockey Faceoff open at 3 p.m., with puck drop set for 3:30 p.m. The game will immediately be followed by a shootout competition.

Corporate sponsorship and VIP packages are available and provide access to a post-game party with RMU alumni players and celebrities. Tickets can be purchased via Ticketmaster or by calling the RMU Athletics ticket office at (412) 397-4949. Tickets start at $20 each, with all proceeds of the event supporting the RMU Hockey Is The Goal fundraising campaign.

Ticket packages range from general admission, reserved and VIP seating. VIP packages are limited to just 50 tickets and include reserved seats, access to hospitality at the post-game party and celebrity meet and greet. Also included in the VIP package is an official event hockey stick signed by all players and celebrities.

Corporate sponsorship packages include opportunities to serve as honorary team captain or coach. A silent auction with the chance to win autographed memorabilia from Sidney Crosby, Kris Letang and others will also be held. For sponsorship opportunities or event questions, contact RMU associate athletic director TJ Brown at (412) 397-5960 or via email at [email protected].

Gifts and pledges for the RMU Hockey Is The Goal campaign can be made directly by contacting Brown. Stock gifts, corporate matches and gifts in other forms will also be considered. Those interested in reserving season tickets for the 2022-23 season should a reinstatement of the programs occur are encouraged to use this link.

CCC Preview: Endicott looking to repeat as champions

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Endicott is the No. 1 team in the newest CCC preseason coaches poll ahead of the 2021-22 season (photo: David Le).

The CCC has again flexed in their conference make-up this season as Becker will no longer play in the league and Suffolk returns to the CCC as the eighth team. This year sees the teams playing 21 conference games which doesn’t leave a lot of room for non-conference opponents or tournaments. It therefore puts a premium on winning the league for NCAA consideration.

“I think with the addition of Suffolk our league has more depth than in past years,” said UNE head coach Kevin Swallow. “Chris [Glionna] always has teams that finds ways to win games and I expect they will challenge all of us to be better. There are no nights off when you look at Endicott, Curry, Salve Regina and on down the list. Wentworth made the conference final just two seasons ago, so it is going to be a battle.”

The Favorite

Endicott has one of the premier goaltenders in the country in Conor O’Brien who is also their sole captain for the upcoming season. That speaks volumes to his importance each and every night out for the Gulls who have a capable supporting cast that is a good balance of youth and experience for coach RJ Tolan.

The University of New England is a team that loaded up on experience with a combined 13 seniors and graduate students on the roster. Those players won a league title and played in an NCAA tournament and have another shot to accomplish both again in their final season. There is depth in goal to match the groups upfront and on the blue line.

The Dark Horse

The Curry Colonels and new coach Peter Roundy are team as comfortable winning 1-0 as they are winning by two or more goals. Forwards like Alex Ochterbeck and Michael Snow have found more line depth with the additions of Danny Eruzione (Salve Regina) and Timmy Kent (UNE). Reid Cooper (transfer from Quinnipiac) adds experience in goal for the Colonels who will be a tough out every night.

Players to watch:

Curry:                                             Alex Ochterbeck – forward; Danny Eruzione – forward

Endicott:                                         Svet Kuchynski – forward; Conor O’Brien – goaltender

Nichols:                                          Curtis Carlson – forward; Lucas Andersson – defenseman

Salve Regina:                                  John McLean – forward; Vincenzo Renda – forward

Suffolk:                                            Joe Feeney – forward; Billy Roche – defenseman

University of New England:         Tyler Seltenreich – forward; Chris Jones – defenseman

Wentworth:                                   Connor Carbo – goaltender; Jake McKenelley – forward

Western New England:                Nolan Zweep – forward; Damien Dangueuger – defenseman

USCHO Predicted finish:

  1. Endicott

2. University of New England

3. Curry

4. Salve Regina

5. Nichols

6. Suffolk

7. Wentworth

8. Western New England

No doubt there will be a lot of attention on the first two weekends of conference play that see home and home series among Endicott, UNE and Salve Regina. Those four games could give some crucial points in the standings that will help determine all important playoff seeding come the second-half.

TMQ: Which teams hitting the panic button early in season, wondering if Frozen Four would work in Canada

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Omaha goalie Isaiah Saville has won his last six starts for the Mavericks (photo: Omaha Athletics).

Each week during the season, we look at the big events and big games around Division I men’s college hockey in Tuesday Morning Quarterback.

Jim: Well, Dan, we’re one month into the season for most teams, Ivies excluded. But everyone is now underway with their full schedule, so it’s time for me to ask a question that typically comes about at this time: Are any teams beginning to panic?

Certainly, you can’t win the national championship in October, but if your team plays poorly enough, it can put itself in a hole that gets a little too large from which to crawl.

Right now, there are only two teams that really worry me. One is Wisconsin, which began the year 11th in the USCHO.com preseason poll. At 3-5-0, the Badgers feel like they’re more in rebuilding mode after losing Dylan Holloway and Cole Caufield to the NHL. But Friday’s win at Michigan gives me a little bit of hope.

The other team that worried me is Boston University. Picked 10th nationally in the preseason poll, the Terriers have dropped games to Sacred Heart, Merrimack and then this weekend were swept by UMass Lowell scoring just one goal in the two-game series.

Maybe both of these team have reason for concern. But do you think either team is pressing the panic button? And are there others for which you’re feeling a sense of concern?

Dan: If you had given me both Wisconsin and BU before the season and told me to choose one more likely to struggle early in the season, I likely would have picked the Badgers after they lost their four best scorers following last season. It was kind of an expectedly-onrushing storm for them to lose Caufield and Holloway in the same offseason as both Linus Weissbach and Ty Pelton-Byce from last season, but to lose four 30-point scorers and a Hobey Baker Award winner is going to be tough for any team.

Throw in the loss of a 50-game goaltender in Robbie Beydoun, and I at least expected some growing pains from them this year. That the split happened this weekend against Michigan is a good thing, and we’ll learn a lot more about this team when it hosts Minnesota with some momentum.

BU, on the other hand, is a surprising team for me, and I’m not really sure about what’s happened. Nearly every top skater from last year’s team returned short of David Farrance, who signed with Nashville following his senior year, but the Terriers haven’t been able to find a spark from their 10-win season a year ago.

Part of me wonders if the January start and 16-game season shrouded the team in mystery last year to the degree that I couldn’t take too many number seriously – Jay O’Brien led the team with 16 points and eight goals last year – but bringing everyone back from a young roster with that many NHL draft picks should have taken an immediate jump.

Instead, the split with UConn preceded a split with Sacred Heart, and another split with Merrimack came before this weekend’s sweep against UMass-Lowell. I don’t know if that’s enough for a panic button, but it’s certainly enough for me to harbor some serious concerns.

Now, there are two ways of looking at this: we can either sit back and declare both teams dead, or we can remember that games in March are a long way from games in October and November. I’m hesitant to do the first one, but I think slow starts in general are usually a cause for concern because losses now inevitably haunt a team when March rolls around. That also leads back to the second point that games now are the most critical ones during the year. A team can’t win a championship in October, but it can certainly lose one before the year gets going.

Given what’s happened, I think there are some clear angles leading to both teams. I expected Wisconsin to struggle out of the gate with a brutal schedule, and the losses to St. Cloud and Michigan Tech surrounding wins against Army validated my thoughts. That the team split with Michigan is encouraging, in my mind, but I think we’ll learn more against Minnesota.

As for BU, there is some inconsistency. I don’t mind a loss to UConn or Sacred Heart or even Merrimack, especially since two of those teams are in-league, but I don’t like losing to all three of them. As for UMass Lowell, it’s important to remember that whenever UMass, Northeastern and UMass Lowell climb the Hockey East standings, someone has to drop. At least in October, it looks like it might be BU.

The last piece, and I think this is something we see in other sports, is the element of a preseason ranking holding too much water weight. We’ll never see end-of-season rankings that look anything like a preseason ranking, and we always come back to the same powerhouses in the preseason poll. For that reason, maybe there’s too much love handed to certain teams, even as the poll can be accused of recency bias, which is something we all have a habit of doing during the course of a year.

With that tone, let’s turn things around. We talked about two teams that have struggled out of the gate, but what are two teams with hot starts that you think are real, at least for now?

Jim: So you want two teams that have opened my eyes. I don’t think that is too difficult, but I’ll start out with Omaha.

After dropping an OT decision to Lake Superior to begin the season, Omaha is 7-0-0. They’ve faced Maine, Alaska and LIU since winning the second game against the Lakers and will open league play with Miami twice this weekend. Is there a caveat to this Mavericks team? Possibly. Omaha plays its first 10 teams in the confines of home. That’s 10 games without having to board a bus or a plane, without having to face a hostile environment. Let’s see where this team lands once NCHC play begins, but I like what I’ve seen so far.

The other is Penn State. The Nittany Lions had a bit of an easy schedule to being the season – two against LIU, two against Canisius (losing one) and two against Niagara – all six of these games at home. But they faced the true litmus test on Saturday when they knocked off North Dakota in Nashville. The announced attendance for the game was a little less than 14,000, but watching video, it seemed like at least 13,000 of those fans were clad in green, white and black, supporting North Dakota. That was quite a hostile environment for the Nittany Lions to earn that win.

While on this topic, it was announced that next year’s destination game for North Dakota (technically known as the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame Game) is in Las Vegas against Arizona State. I’d expect a sellout crowd at T-Mobile Arena given the destination and the two teams that are playing. North Dakota’s fan base will go to the moon to watch their team play while Arizona State has the strongest alumni base in college hockey.

That leads me to this question: Do you think there is any other college hockey team, aside from North Dakota, that would attract anywhere near a sellout crowd in a destination game?

Dan: Alright so this is a loaded question, but I like where we’re headed with it because I think certain teams could sell out the stands in a destination game under the right circumstances.

For example, let’s step into our Deloreans and go back to 2010 when Boston College played Boston University at Fenway Park the week after the Winter Classic. That was a sellout in both teams’ backyard at a time when the outdoor hockey game was a novelty, and I think people were buoyed by the novelty of playing the biggest college hockey rivalry in New England (and arguably the country) at arguably the most famous venue in sports. At the time, Fenway was a destination, even though it was about a half mile from the BU campus.

But that’s not what you meant. What you were actually asking was about which teams would entice their fans to board a flight and go somewhere, and truthfully, I’m not sure if anyone can do what North Dakota did or is doing. I feel like the biggest fanbases belong to the Beanpot schools, but I can’t picture their groups heading down to Nashville with the same ferocity as the North Dakota fans. I likewise don’t see it happening to any of the ECAC schools, though 10,000 fans did follow Harvard and Yale to Madison Square Garden two years ago, and I’ll always believe New York City is a destination, though, again, that’s not what you meant.

The fact that I have to try and poke loopholes in the argument should tell you exactly what you need to know about the argument. North Dakota sold out that game in Vegas against Minnesota a few years ago. They helped put 13,000 fans at TD Ameritrade Park for a WCHA game against Omaha, and they put 11,000-plus fans at MSG for a game against BC, which is more than what Harvard-Yale had. I’m surprised we didn’t find a way to send them to Belfast, though I guess travel would have been substantially longer with connecting flights.

This got me thinking, though. Vegas has more than proven itself as a hockey market and will host the Frozen Four in 2026. The city itself offers more than a few reasons why it’s a great place for a large-scale event, but if you look at the next Frozen Fours, there’s been a concerted move back to the proven hockey areas. This year’s in Boston, next year’s in Tampa, the year after in Minnesota and the year after that in St. Louis before we move to Vegas.

Where are some hockey markets that you’d like to see a game? Vegas is atop that list, and it’s not even close for me, but I’d be interested to see how things would fare in both California and Texas when you consider the number of hockey teams playing in both states. California, in particular, intrigues me since it’s one of the fastest-growing hockey states among youth players for USA Hockey.

Jim: And before we upset too many fans, we should also include Red Hot Hockey, the every-other-year matchup between Boston University and Cornell in New York. That draws well, but put the game in Nashville and I don’t see the same attendance draw.

As for markets to watch games, I’m fortunate to have watched games in two of the destinations on your list – California and Las Vegas. I, in fact, saw them in one trip two years ago when Harvard and Arizona State played in Irvine, Calif., and then T-Mobile Arena hosted the Ice Vegas Invitational. But when you talk crowds, neither were head turning.

The Arizona State-Harvard games, a two-game series, drew well into a small 2,000-ish seat rink. The Vegas tournament was mostly empty in a 17,000-plus seat venue. But put North Dakota in either area, boom!

I agree that somewhere in Texas would be a great destination. Dallas is the obvious choice, but I’d love to see an event in Austin, where the H-E-B Arena, home of the AHL’s Texas Stars, boasts a capacity around 8,000.

I guess there is another desire of mine to watch an American college hockey game played north of the border, somewhere in Canada. It would be wonderful to see a college game in Montreal or Toronto, or more likely, a game featuring North Dakota in Winnipeg, a quick three-hour ride from Grand Forks.

I have heard the conversations before about possibly soliciting a Canadian city to bid for a Frozen Four. And part of me thinks it would be fun and interesting. I just don’t know if U.S. college fans would travel. Do you agree?

Dan: There’s a part of me that thinks Montreal and Toronto are the perfect locations for a Frozen Four, and Vancouver, from what I’ve been told, is an incredible trip and a gorgeous city. I feel like Calgary is Canada’s answer to Dallas, too, with the whole Stampede/rodeo vibe and the oil industry playing a huge role in the city’s growth.

I fear, though, that the American college game won’t have the same appeal to the Canadian audience. I know junior hockey does well, specifically thinking about the OHL and the attendance numbers from a couple of years ago, but I’m admittedly not sure if the Frozen Four will succeed north of the border.

Throw in the requirements for fans to cross the border, which we have to assume will be easier as COVID subsides into the past, and it’s either going to be an amazing atmosphere of dedicated Canadian fans, Canadian families and Canadian friends blending with American fans who all have passports, or we’re going to see a limited crowd in a half-empty arena because people don’t want to cross the border and the Frozen Four only has limited appeal compared to the Memorial Cup or the World Juniors.

Then again, it’s also outside the box, and I love that about sports. Take the United 2026 bid for the World Cup in soccer, which I believe was the result of wanting to return to North America while not rehashing a return to the United States. It mixed Canada and Mexico into the bid in a way that combined the three biggest powers, and given the rivalry between Mexico and the USA, it was a great way to capitalize and blend the two schools on the unique continent.

Moving the Frozen Four to Canada would, in a parallel, blend the Canadian junior and hockey culture into the American game and would hypothetically break barriers between two countries with a growing, great hockey rivalry.

The short, short version: it’s a crazy idea, but it beats returning to the scene of some empty arenas that we’ve seen in the past. So let’s give it a short and see what happens.

Looking back at the weekend in D-III West Hockey

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St. Norbert earned a split with Wisconsin-Stevens Point this past weekend. Photo Credit: Patrick Ferron/St. Norbert Athletics

In a matchup fitting for the NCAA tournament, Wisconsin-Stevens Point and St. Norbert played twice over the weekend.

Both games proved to be competitive and the series ended in a split.

The Pointers won the opener 4-3 on Friday but were beaten 5-3 in the finale Saturday in a two-game set featuring the last two NCAA champions.

Playing on the road Friday, the Pointers racked up 32 shots compared to shot 24 for the Green Knights. Jordan Fader scored the game-winning goal in the win and also dished out an assist. David Hill tallied two assists as the reigning national champions opened the year with a win.

Nicholas Aromatario and Brett Humberstone each scored a goal as well.

Bryan Wagner came up with 21 saves in the victory.

It was a different story on Saturday, though, as the Green Knights, played their first game at home in more than a year.

St. Norbert scored four goals in the opening period and never looked back. Four players had at least one goal and an assist. Tim Nicksic, Adam Stacho, Michael McChesney and Peter Bates all accomplished that feat. Johnny Roberts made 23 saves. 

St. Norbert did not play last season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The win on Saturday was its first since Feb. 29, 2020 when it beat Marian 2-0.

Superior showing for Yellow Jackets

Reigning WIAC champ Wisconsin-Superior got things rolling for the 2021-22 campaign in convincing fashion as it dominated St. Scholastica 7-0 on Saturday night.

The Yellow Jackets scored four goals in the opening period and never gave the Saints a chance to get on track.

Artur Terchiyev helped fuel the offensive attack as he scored two goals in the win. He was one of 13 players to record at least one point. Four players finished with two-point games while Myles Hektor racked up 26 saves to record the first shutout of his college career.

The Yellow Jackets finished with 41 shots and scored twice off the power play. MacGregor Sinclair came through with a goal and two assists while Dylan Johnson dished out three assists. Coltyn Bates added a goal and an assist.

Berglove steps up for the Johnnies

Mac Berglove brings a lot of experience to the table when it comes to goaltending. That showed through in Saint John’s 1-0 win over Wisconsin-Eau Claire Saturday.

A season-opening matchup featuring one of the best teams in the MIAC against one of the top teams in the WIAC ended up being owned by Berglove, who racked up 34 saves on his way to the fourth shutout of his career.

Nick Michel scored the lone goal for the Johnnies less than four minutes into the game. It was the first goal of his career with Saint John’s after transferring in from Alabama-Huntsville.

Saint John’s won despite being outshot 34-28.

Riley McVeigh took the loss for the Blugolds. He made 27 saves.

Big day for Posner

Luke Posner saved the best for last for Bethel as he led the Royals to a thrilling 3-2 win in overtime against Wisconsin-Stout Friday night.

Posner scored his final goal with less than a minute to play to lift Bethel to a win. It is the second time in three seasons the Royals have beaten the Blue Devils by a goal in an opener on the road.

Posner scored the game winner with 31 seconds remaining. Ridge Gerards helped the Royals’ cause by making 32 saves. Posner is already halfway to his 2019-20 goal total. He playedin 12 games that season.

Sweep success for Lake Forest

The Foresters capped a weekend sweep of Saint Mary’s Saturday with a 3-0 win. Things went much easier for Lake Forest on that night compared to the opener when it needed overtime to hold off the Cardinals by a 4-3 score.

Nick Wiencek helped make the win possible in the finale. He recorded a career-best 40 saves to earn his first win for the Foresters as well as his first shutout with the team. The 40 saves were the most in a shutout win at the school since 2009.

Jared Gerger, Will Lebel and Brendand Coughlin all scored goals for the Foresters.

One night earlier, the Foresters rallied from a 3-1 deficit to secure a win in their season opener. Noah Furman scored the game-winning goal in OT. 

Bulldogs bounce back

After losing in overtime on Saturday  by a 3-2 score, Adrian finished out its two-game road series against Utica with a big win.

The Bulldogs used a late-game goal by Chase Spencer to seal the deal in a battle of two of Division III hockey’s best teams.

Adrian seemed to be on its way to a second consecutive loss to the Pioneers after trailing 3-1 in the second but battled back to tie the score heading into the third.

Adrian salvaged a split despite missing 10 players due to COVID-19 protocol. The Bulldogs were outshot 38-19. The game markes the fifth consecutive between the two teams that has been decided by a goal.

Hockey East suspends New Hampshire’s Cronin one game for incident Oct. 30 vs. Providence

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CRONIN

Hockey East announced Monday that New Hampshire freshman forward Robert Cronin has been suspended for one game stemming from an incident at 1:20 of the first period on Saturday, October 30 against Providence.

No penalty was called on the play.

Cronin will miss the game on Friday, November 5, against Northeastern and will be eligible to return to the Wildcats’ lineup on Saturday, November 6, when New Hampshire travels to Northeastern.

Idle St. Cloud State gets 29 first-place votes, retains top spot in USCHO.com Division I Men’s Poll

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Jami Krannila celebrates a goal during St. Cloud State’s sweep over Wisconsin two weekends ago (photo: Luke Schmidt).

Coming off a bye week, St. Cloud State earned 29 first-place votes and stays No. 1 in this week’s USCHO.com Division I Men’s Poll.

Minnesota State moves up one spot to No. 2 and garnered 16 first-place votes, while Michigan falls one spot to No. 3, Minnesota Duluth gets three first-place votes and stays No. 4, and Minnesota is up one to No. 5, gaining one first-place vote.

Harvard, at No. 13, collected the last first-place vote.

USCHO.com Division I Men’s Poll – November 1, 2021

Quinnipiac is down one to No. 6, Providence is up one to No. 7, North Dakota drops two to No. 8, Omaha is up one spot to No. 9, and Western Michigan vaults into the top 10, going to No. 10 this week, up three spots from last week.

The biggest drop this week is Boston College, going from No. 9 last week to No. 14 this week.

Two new teams enter the poll this week with Penn State at No. 16 and UMass Lowell at No. 19.

In addition, 14 other schools received votes outside of the top 20.

The USCHO.com Poll consists of 50 voters, including coaches and beat writers and sports professionals from across the country.

Highlighting overlooked teams, plus North Dakota-Penn State, Michigan, WMU, Ivies: Weekend Review college hockey podcast Season 4 Episode 5

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Hosts Jim Connelly, Derek Schooley, and Ed Trefzger look at this past weekend’s games and news. Topics include:

• Teams nobody seems to be talking about include Omaha, Penn State, and UMass Lowell;

• North Dakota vs. Penn State in Nashville: Could any other fan base pull this off?

• Michigan has lost twice in two weeks: anything in common between the two?

• Western Michigan’s historic comeback at Colgate and 2-1 OT win the next night;

• Harvard and Cornell both 2-0 as Ivies start play;

• A shutout record for Dryden McKay

Subscribe to this podcast on Apple podcasts, in your favorite podcast app, or on Spreaker.

Continue

D-III East Recap – November 1, 2021

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Korbinian Lutz earned MVP honors in backstopping the Bison to win in the first-ever Worcester Cup Tournament (Photo by Foley-Photography)

If this past weekend is a true indicator for the level of play, we will see in D-II/III this season, then sign me up for the premium package please! The games were seriously beyond outstanding this weekend with big-time matchups, a shootout to determine a tournament title, overtime games galore, a first ever program win and many teams looking like they hadn’t had any time off beyond the usual off-season. It is already shaping up to be a terrific college hockey season so here are some of the highlights from the weekend.

CCC

Nichols took the inaugural Worcester Cup Tournament with a 6-5 win over Worcester State followed by a shootout victory over Anna Maria in the tournament final. Peter Miko led the way offensively for the Bison with two goals and an assist while Korbinian Lutz came off the bench to stop 14 of 15 shots in the seesaw battle with the Lancers. In the title game, the Bison rallied from a 2-0 deficit in the third period only to see the AmCats tie the score late and send the game to overtime. Nothing was settled in the extra session and in the shootout, Austan Bellefeuille scored the only goal to win the title. Lutz was named MVP for his efforts.

Curry and new coach Peter Roundy opened the season 2-0-0 with wins over Stonehill and Massachusetts-Boston to earn the Curry College Tournament title. In the game against Stonehill, both John Day and Reid Cooper were stellar in goal for their respective teams. It took until late in the third period for the Colonels’ Tarek Paranica to solve Day for the game’s only tally in the 1-0 win. In the title game, Curry trailed the Beacons by a 1-0 score after the first period but took control of the game with a four-goal second period on the way to a 5-3 win. Mark Zhukov scored twice and added an assist while Danny Eruzione and Timmy Kent chipped in with two points each.

Independents

A brand new Rivier College squad started their D-III existence with a win over Southern New Hampshire University by a 5-4 score on Friday night. The Penmen scored first and built a 4-1 lead midway through the second period before the Raiders rallied. Ryan Nolte scored with an assist from Jon Tavella at the 15-minute mark and Tavella scored twice over the final two minutes of the period to tie the game at 4-4 entering the third period. Milan Breczko scored the game-winner in the third period and Luke Newell made 40 saves to earn the victory for coach Matt Keating’s squad.

MASCAC

Despite being outshot 39-28 and falling behind 2-0 on the road, Plymouth State rallied on goals from Jeromey Rancourt, Myles Abbate and Marcus Seidl to upset Plattsburgh on Friday by a 3-2 score. Kalle Andersson was outstanding in goal making 37 saves including 16 in the third period to earn the win.

NE-10

St. Anselm opened their season against Rivier on Saturday and found the Raiders to be a tough out in a 4-1 win. Will Christensen and Andrew Andary gave the Hawks a 2-0 lead entering the third period, but Colby Audette cut the margin in half early in the third period. Two empty-net goals from Chris Lemay and Thomas Schwartz were needed for some breathing room for the Hawks who saw Nick Howard make 24 saves in the win.

NEHC

Hobart opened the season with a road trip to Oswego where a goal in each period, 22 saves from Liam Lascelle and a great penalty kill gave the Statesmen a 3-1 win. On Saturday back home against Manhattanville, Hobart used an eight-goal second period, including four power-play goals to cruise to a 9-2 win. Forward Wil Crane picked up a hat trick in the win.

Norwich opened their season with a thrilling 3-2 overtime win over visiting Salve Regina on Saturday night. After a scoreless first period, Phil Elgstam and Noah Williams gave the Cadets a 2-1 lead entering the third period. John McLean scored his second goal of the game to tie the score with just 16 seconds remaining in regulation, but Joe Nagle sent the Northfield faithful home happy with his goal in overtime.

Babson took on the high-flying Plymouth State squad fresh off their upset win over Plattsburgh on Saturday night. Mike McPherson gave the home team and early 1-0 lead that stood until the third period where Wyatt George and Thomas Kramer rallied the Beavers to a 2-1 win. Brad Arvanitis was outstanding in goal for Babson making 33 of 34 saves.

SUNYAC

The Geneseo Knights weren’t sure what to expect from their opening two games against Neumann and Nazareth, but the “new kids” picked up a pair of wins by 6-3 and 7-1 scores. Against Nazareth on Saturday Justin Cmunt scored twice in the first four minutes of play and Geneseo cruised from there to the 7-1 win.

After a 3-2 win over King’s on Friday night, Brockport moved to 2-0-0 with a 6-0 win over Neumann on Saturday. Mitchell Parsons led the offense with a three-point game and Nolan Egbert and Zach Richards combined on the 29 save shutout.

UCHC

Wilkes won the Buffalo State Tournament with wins over Fredonia State and Buffalo State. On Friday, five different players scored even-strength goals in the 5-2 win over the Blue Devils. In Saturday’s title game against the host Bengals, the Colonels eked out a 2-1 win in a close checking game. Nick Swain and Tyler Vanuden exchanged goals in the first period and the score remained tied until Jay Gallagher scored for Wilkes just over midway in the third period. Michael Patterson-Jones stopped 19 of 20 shots to earn the win.

Utica and Adrian played a two-game series in what was probably the action of the weekend. On Saturday night the Pioneers rallied from a two-goal deficit on goals from John Moncovich and Regen Cavanaugh to tie the score at 2-2 in the third period. Buster Larsson scored just 95 seconds into overtime for the 3-2 win. On Sunday, the Bulldogs earned a series split with a 4-3 win that saw them rally from a 3-1 deficit and score late in regulation off the stick of Chase Spencer to earn the 4-3 win.

Three Biscuits

Wil Crane – Hobart – scored a hat trick in the Statesmen 9-2 victory over Manhattanville on Saturday.

Korbinian Lutz – Nichols – backstopped the Bison to the win in the inaugural Worcester Cup while earning MVP honors.

Mitchell Parsons – Brockport – scored one goal and assisted on two others in Brockport’s 6-0 win over Neumann on Saturday night.

It is only week one and therefore a very small sample size, but this writer expects that the great competitiveness seen in non-conference action this weekend will set the bar high for exciting action all season.

 

 

NCAA Division I Women’s Hockey: Weekend Recap, November 1, 2021

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(1) Wisconsin at Minnesota State

Makenna Webster scored on the power play five minutes into the game to give Wisconsin the lead. Brooke Bryant tied it up for Mankato midway through the frame to send the teams into the first intermission tied. Daryl Watts slotted one top shelf early in the third and that would prove to be the game-winner as Wisconsin took the 2-1 victory. On Saturday, Webster’s third-period natural hat-trick led the Badgers to a 6-2 win and weekend sweep. Alexis Paddington put the Mavericks on the board first with her first career goal early in the game. Katie Kotlowski’s power play goal tied the game up just before the end of the first. In the second, Casey O’Brien and Maddie Posick extended the Wisconsin lead to 3-1. Then Webster took over to put the game out of reach. Sydney Langseth scored late in the game for Mankato, but Wisconsin took a 6-2 win and weekend sweep. The Badgers are 12-0 on the year and Webster leads the country with 27 points and 15 assists.

St. Cloud State at (2) Ohio State

In the first game, Ohio State jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first thanks to goals from Ramsey Parent, Paetyn Levis and Hadley Hartmetz. But St. Cloud State responded in the second with goals by Emma Gentry and Klara Hymlarova in the first five minutes to make it a 3-2 game. Levis made it a two-goal lead a few moments later. It was Sophie Jacques’ power play goal early in third that put the game out of reach and gave OSU the 5-2 win. On Saturday, the Buckeyes used a seven-goal second period to cruise to a 10-1 win and weekend sweep. Levis and Jenn Gardiner had Ohio State us 2-0 early. Jenniina Nylund closed the gap with a goal for the Huskies to make it 2-1 at the end of the first, but then it was all Buckeyes. Gabby Rosenthal, Lexi Templeman, Gardiner, Levis, Hartmetz, Brook Bink and Jacques each scored in the middle frame and Jacques added another in the third to make it a 10-1 win.

(3) Minnesota at Bemidji State

On Friday, it was a busy first period for the Beavers and Gophers. Amy Potomak opened the scoring and Paige Beebe responded for Bemidji State. But Potomak added a second goal and Audrey Wethington lit the lamp to put Minnesota up 3-1 heading into the first intermission. The teams fought back and forth in the second and then the Gophers were able to really pull away early in the third with goals from Abigail Boreen and Ella Huber. Lydia Passolt narrowed the lead in the third, but it was not enough as Minnesota took the 5-2 win. Skylar Vetter earned her first career win in net for the Gophers. On Saturday, Minnesota became the fastest program in NCAA women’s hockey history to reach 700 victories with a 3-2 win over Bemidji. Boreen set the tone for the game with a goal :49 into the game. Claire Vekich’s power play goal tied it up midway through the first, but Huber added an extra-attacker goal of her own to give the Gophers the 2-1 lead at the end of the first. Peyton Hemp extended the lead to 3-1 in the second. In the final frame, Graysen Myers made it a one-goal game, but the Beavers couldn’t complete the comeback and Minnesota took the weekend sweep.

(4) Boston College vs. (6) Northeastern

In the first game of this home and home series, Northeastern won their fourth straight game at BC’s Conte Arena. The Huskies jumped out to a 4-0 lead thanks to goals from Maddie Mills, Peyton Anderson, Brooke Hobson and Mia Brown. Boston College tried to mount a comeback with late goals from Hannah Bilka and Kelly Browne, but ran out of time and lost this one 4-2. On Saturday, Brooke Hobson and Skylar Fontaine each had two assists and Mills, Chloe Aurard and Lauren MacInnis each lit the lamp to make it a 3-0 win and weekend sweep for the Huskies.

(5) Colgate at Dartmouth

The Raiders earned their first ECAC victory with a 4-2 win over the Big Green on Friday. Dara Grieg led Colgate with two goals. The Raiders out-shot Dartmouth 30-11 in the game. The Big Green hung with the Raiders for the first two periods. Grieg opened the scoring and Laura Fuoco responded with a power play goal for Dartmouth. Danielle Serdachny scored a short-handed tally midway through the second, but CC Bowlby scored on the same power play to tie it at 2. Grieg put Colgate ahead heading into the second intermission with a goal just before the buzzer. In the third, Kalty Kaltounkova put the game out of reach to give Colgate the win.

(5) Colgate at (10) Harvard

This game was all about the third period. Kalty Kaltounkova had the only first-period tally and Katie Chen extended the lead to 2-0 early in the second. With just a minute left in the second, Keely Moy scored a short-handed goal to cut the lead in half. In the third, Noemi Neubauerova and Danielle Serdachny scored 19 seconds apart to put the Raiders up 4-2. But Harvard’s Dominique Petri scored :29 after that to close the gap. Krista Della Rovere’s goal tied it up and forced overtime. Serdachny’s power play goal 68 seconds into the extra frame gave Colgate the 5-4 win.

(8) Quinnipiac at Brown

The Bobcats rode a four-goal first period and held off a Brown comeback to take a 5-3 win. Lexie Adzija, Maddy Samoskevich, Kate Reilly and Nina Steigauf all scored for Quinnipiac in the opening frame. In the second, Anna Hurd and Anna Sheldon cut the lead in half for the Bears, making it 4-2, but Taylor House’s short-handed goal before the horn stopped the rally. Maddie Stockfish scored for Brown early in the third, but they couldn’t complete the comeback.

(8) Quinnipiac at Yale

Kate Reilly scored on the power play in the final minute of the first period to put the Bobcats up 1-0. Yale responded with a power play goal of their own from Vita Poniatovskaia to tie it up midway through the second. Nina Steigauf’s second of of the weekend proved to be the game-winner and Alexa Hoskin’s third-period goal ensured the 3-1 win.

(9) Cornell at (10) Harvard

The Crimson earned their first win over Cornell since January 2016 with a 4-1 victory on Friday. Anne Bloomer scored less than three minutes into the game to put Harvard up 1-0. A few minutes later, the Big Red tied the game thanks to a power play goal from Kaitlin Jockims. Dominique Petrie scored the game-winner in the second and then Becca Gilmore added two empty-netters in the waning minutes to make it a 4-1 win.

(9) Cornell at Dartmouth

The Big Green earned their first win of the season and first career head coaching win for Liz Keady Norton on Saturday with a 4-3 victory over Cornell. The last time Dartmouth beat Cornell was Valentine’s Day, 2014. The Big Red had a 10-game win streak heading into the game. Gillis Frechette scored exactly four minutes into the game to give Cornell a 1-0 lead, but Laura Fuoco responded three minutes later to tie the game at one. Currie Putrah put Dartmouth ahead early in the second, but it lasted less than a minute as Athena Song scored for Cornell to tie the game at 2. Kenzie Bachelor gave the Big Green a 3-2 lead heading into the final frame. In the third, Rory Guilday’s power play goal knotted the score once more, but Dartmouth had one more go-ahead goal in them as Gabby Billing scored with the extra attacker to give the Big Green the 4-3 win.

 

Monday 10: McKay new career shutouts leader, Western Michigan’s comebacks, BU struggling with consistency, Brown-Yale rough stuff

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Dryden McKay gets mobbed by his teammates after becoming the NCAA’s career shutouts leader as Minnesota State downed Northern Michigan 7-0 Saturday night (photo: Mansoor Ahmad).

Each week, USCHO.com will pick the top 10 moments from the past weekend in our Monday 10 feature.

1. McKay sets men’s NCAA shutout record

It took Dryden McKay three games this season to tie Ryan Miller’s NCAA men’s record of 26 shutouts. It took just five more for McKay to claim the record for his own.

McKay, the senior Minnesota State goaltender, stopped all 15 shots he faced in the Mavericks’ 7-0 home win over Northern Michigan Saturday night. McKay has twice been nominated for the Mike Richter Award, was a Hobey Baker Award Hat Trick finalist last season and was the WCHA Player of the Year and Goalie of the Year for 2020-21.

2. Broncos the new comeback kids

Trailing Colgate 5-0 at the 11:52 mark of the second period in, Western Michigan scored six unanswered goals to beat the Raiders 6-5. Jason Polin opened the scoring for the Broncos at 17:52 in the second and Ronnie Attard finished Western’s scoring run – and his first career hat trick – with 1:13 left in regulation.

Polin and Attard each scored in the second to cut Colgate’s lead to three, and Polin scored one early in the third to make it a 5-3 game. The Broncos scored their final three goals within a six-minute span late in the third to win the game. Between Polin’s goal early third-period goal and Attard’s second goal of the game, Paul Washe scored as well.

Washe scored both goals in Western Michigan’s come-from-behind 2-1 overtime win Saturday to complete the road sweep.

3. Welcome back, Ivies

It’s been nearly 18 months since the six Ivy League schools that are members of the ECAC played a game that counted.

Brown opened with a 2-0 win over Yale, the only game of the season so far for each team.

“It was a great start,” said Brown coach Brendan Whittet. “We haven’t played as a team in well over 600 days.”

Cornell swept Alaska with two overtime wins to open D-I play after an exhibition game vs. Princeton earlier this month. The Big Red hadn’t won in overtime in nearly five years before putting together these back-to-back victories.

Dartmouth played its second and third games of the season, a 9-3 loss to Harvard and 4-1 loss to Connecticut.

Harvard scored 16 goals in its first play in two seasons, that 9-3 win over Princeton and a 7-3 win over Bentley.

4. A chippy end to a welcome return

What do you do when you play a conference foe for the first time in quite literally two years?

Well, if you’re Yale and Brown, you fight.

A lot.

The Bulldogs and the Brown Bears compiled 81 penalty minutes in Brown’s 2-0 home win Saturday, the opening game of the season for both teams. There were plenty of penalties throughout the entire contest, but at 19:46 in the third, Yale’s William Dineen and Brown’s Michael Maloney and Nathan Plessis each were assessed two minutes for roughing.

Then at 19:51, here was even more animosity. In that brawl, Yale’s Kyle Johnson was given five for fighting and a misconduct, Brown’s Jackson Munro was given five for crosschecking and a misconduct, and Brown’s Tristan Crozier was given a 10-minute misconduct.

5. Three top-10 teams sweep the weekend

No. 3 Minnesota State, No. 7 Minnesota and No. 10 Omaha swept their weekend series, outscoring their opponents 29-6, collectively.

Minnesota coach Bob Motzko said that the home sweep of Notre Dame was a “huge weekend” for the Golden Gophers and said that the play of goaltender Jack LaFontaine was great.

Said Motzko, “Let’s hope that it’s another step forward for us in the right direction.”

Senior Taylor Ward recorded his second career hat trick in Omaha’s 7-1 win over Long Island University Saturday.

“I thought that was maybe one of our most complete games this season, said Mavericks coach Mike Gabinet. “We really played to our identity.”

6. Penn State wins Hall of Fame Game

In a game in which they never trailed and yet were never comfortably ahead, the Nittany Lions managed to stave off No. 6 North Dakota to win the Hall of Fame Game in Nashville by a 6-4 score.

Clayton Phillips and Connor MacEachern paced Penn State with two goals each. MacEachern’s second goal at 15:52 in the third held up as the game-winner. Erik Autio made 28 saves for his fourth win of the season.

The Nittany Lions improve to 6-1-0 in advance of their Big Ten opener against Ohio State next weekend.

7. No, the Wolverines are not invincible

After shutting out Wisconsin 3-0 Thursday, Michigan dropped the home rematch 4-2 Friday and the Wolverines are now 6-2-0 overall.

With a ton of talent and many first-round NHL draft picks, the Wolverines came out hot at the start of the season before running into Western Michigan Oct. 22 and Wisconsin last weekend.

“Any time you lose, it’s never a fun feeling,” said Michigan captain Jimmy Lambert. “It takes a little piece out of you.

“Everyone has such high expectations for us, and we have high expectations for ourselves. We just have to be better. Everyone’s giving us their best effort when they come into our building. We have to expect that and we have to give them our best as well.”

8. Boston University continues to seek consistency

After being picked second in the Hockey East preseason coaches’ poll, Boston University is struggling to find some consistency. The Terriers fell to 3-5-0 after being swept by UMass Lowell.

Following an opening exhibition win against Holy Cross, Boston University has yet to put together back-to-back wins in games for the record.

Not counting that exhibition game, the Terriers have scored more than two goals in a game twice so far this season, a 4-1 win over Sacred Heart and an 8-6 win over Merrimack. In their other six games, the Terriers have netted eight goals total.

9. Ferris State guts out road win over Canisius

At 10:02 in the second period of Ferris State’s 4-2 win over Canisius Saturday night, play was halted briefly so that an emergency medical service unit could arrive on site at the LECOM Harborcenter in Buffalo, N.Y.

The first medical unit left the building with Bulldog senior Jake Transit earlier in the period. Transit was apparently knocked unconscious after a hit by Golden Griffin Cory Thomas at 4:07 in the second. Thomas was assessed a five-minute major for interference and a game misconduct for the hit. There is no update on Transit’s condition.

It took a few minutes after the hit to clarify that the game could not resume until another EMS unit was present.

With the game tied 2-2, at 6:50 in the third period Liam MacDougall scored to give the Bulldogs a 3-2 lead. Dallas Tulik added the empty-net goal for Ferris State at 18:52.

10. Big Ten, NCHC have strong start

After a month of play, the Big Ten (.662) and NCHC (.645) have the strongest records in interleague play. Among the other four conferences, only the ECAC (.541) has posted a winning record against nonleague foes.

Since its inception, the NCHC has had a consistently strong performance against teams from other conferences, while B1G Hockey has been less consistent. Surprisingly, Hockey East (.477) has struggled out of the gate against everyone except for Atlantic Hockey.

Something interesting of note: the Big Ten and the NCHC are even (6-6-0) against each other.

Rankings roundup: How the top 20 NCAA hockey teams fared, Oct. 26-30

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Freshman Scott Morrow netted his first career goal 1:59 into overtime to give Massachusetts a 5-4 win over Merrimack at the Mullins Center on Saturday night (photo: Thom Kendall/UMass Athletics).

Here is a rundown of how the top 20 teams in the USCHO.com Division I Men’s Poll of October 18 fared in games over the weekend of Oct. 29-30.

No. 1 St. Cloud State (6-2-0)
Did not play.

No. 2 Michigan (6-2-0)
10/28/2021 – RV Wisconsin 0 at No. 2 Michigan 3
10/29/2021 – RV Wisconsin 4 at No. 2 Michigan 2

No. 3 Minnesota State (6-2-0)
10/29/2021 – RV Northern Michigan 2 at No. 3 Minnesota State 4
10/30/2021 – RV Northern Michigan 0 at No. 3 Minnesota State 7

No. 4 Minnesota Duluth (5-1-0)
Did not play.

No. 5 Quinnipiac (5-1-2)
10/26/2021 – Holy Cross 2 at No. 5 Quinnipiac 5
10/29/2021 – No. 5 Quinnipiac 2 at RV AIC 2 (OT)
10/30/2021 – RV AIC 1 at No. 5 Quinnipiac 2 (OT)

No. 6 North Dakota (4-3-2)
10/30/2021 – RV Penn State 6 vs No. 6 North Dakota 4 (U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame Game, Nashville)

No. 7 Minnesota (5-3-0)
10/29/2021 – No. 14 Notre Dame 1 at No. 7 Minnesota 4
10/30/2021 – No. 14 Notre Dame 2 at No. 7 Minnesota 3

No. 8 Providence (6-3-0)
10/29/2021 – New Hampshire 1 at No. 8 Providence 6
10/30/2021 – No. 8 Providence 1 at New Hampshire 2 (OT)

No. 9 Boston College (4-3-1)
10/29/2021 – No. 9 Boston College 4 at Vermont 5 (OT)
10/30/2021 – No. 9 Boston College 3 at Vermont 2

No. 10 Omaha (7-1-0)
10/29/2021 – LIU 0 at No. 10 Omaha 6
10/30/2021 – LIU 1 at No. 10 Omaha 7

No. 11 Denver (4-2-0)
Did not play.

No. 12 Massachusetts (4-2-0)
10/29/2021 – No. 12 Massachusetts 2 at Merrimack 1
10/30/2021 – Merrimack 4 at No. 12 Massachusetts 5 (OT)

No. 13 Western Michigan (5-1-0)
10/29/2021 – No. 13 Western Michigan 6 at RV Colgate 5
10/30/2021 – No. 13 Western Michigan 2 at RV Colgate 1

No. 14 Notre Dame (4-3-1)
10/29/2021 – No. 14 Notre Dame 1 at No. 7 Minnesota 4
10/30/2021 – No. 14 Notre Dame 2 at No. 7 Minnesota 3

No. 15 Harvard (2-0-0)
10/29/2021 – No. 15 Harvard 9 at Dartmouth 3
10/30/2021 – Bentley 3 at No. 15 Harvard 7

No. 16 Cornell (2-0-0)
10/29/2021 – Alaska 2 at No. 16 Cornell 3 (OT)
10/30/2021 – Alaska 0 at No. 16 Cornell 1 (OT)

No. 17 Bemidji State (4-4-0)
10/29/2021 – RV Bowling Green 3 at No. 17 Bemidji State 2
10/30/2021 – RV Bowling Green 0 at No. 17 Bemidji State 2

No. 18 Michigan Tech (3-2-0)
10/29/2021 – No. 18 Michigan Tech 3 at RV Clarkson 0
10/30/2021 – No. 18 Michigan Tech 1 at RV Clarkson 2

No. 19 Boston University (3-5-0)
10/29/2021 – RV UMass Lowell 3 at No. 19 Boston University 0
10/30/2021 – No. 19 Boston University 1 at RV UMass Lowell 2

No. 20 Northeastern (5-3-0)
10/26/2021 – Connecticut 5 at No. 20 Northeastern 3
10/29/2021 – Maine 0 at No. 20 Northeastern 5
10/30/2021 – Maine 2 at No. 20 Northeastern 3

RV = Received votes

North Dakota, Arizona State to play 2022 U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame Game in Las Vegas

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The city of Las Vegas will host the 2022 U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame Game (photo: theralph.com).

For the second time in program history, North Dakota hockey program will head to Las Vegas for the 2022 U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame Game.

The contest will take place on Oct. 29, 2022 at T-Mobile Arena against Arizona State.

The 2022 U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame Game has partnered with MGM Resorts in Las Vegas to provide a direct link for room reservations for fans at MGM Resort properties. The link is active and fans who want to reserve a hotel room for the event can do so at any of the five participating MGM Resort properties:

MGM Grand Hotel & Casino
Park MGM | NoMad Las Vegas
New York-New York Hotel & Casino
Luxor Las Vegas
Excalibur Hotel & Casino

Fans can begin purchasing hotel rooms here. The link is active until Oct. 28, 2022 and all rooms are subject to availability.

Detailed ticket information will be released on Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2022 with tickets going on sale to members of the North Dakota Champions Club on Monday, Feb. 7, 2022 and the general public on Saturday, Feb. 12, 2022.

Further event information will be released on Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2022. For more information, visit www.theralph.com/vegas.

This will be the first all-time meeting between North Dakota and Arizona State and the sixth destination game in UND’s history.

Penn State outlasts No. 6 North Dakota, 6-4, in Nashville; UNH, Clarkson knock off ranked opponents; McKay sets NCAA shutout mark

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Connor MacEachern celebrates his first of two goals as Penn State upset No. 6 North Dakota, 6-4, at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville (Photo: Russell Hons/North Dakota Athletics)

It was quite possibly the least neutral “neutral-site” game you could imagine, but that didn’t bother Penn State.

Despite playing around a sea of green-clad North Dakota fans at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Penn State jumped to an early lead that it never relinquished, earning a hard-fought 6-4 victory over the Fighting Hawks in the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame Game.

Connor MacEachern scored twice for the Nittany Lions including a back-breaking insurance goal with 4:08 remaining while goaltender Oskar Autio made 28 stops to earn the victory.

MacEachern’s second tally proved important as the Fighting Hawks pulled their goaltender and closed the gap to one with 2:01 left on a Riese Gaber goal. Ben Copeland’s empty-net goal with four seconds left provided the final tally.

The game was a wild, back-and-forth offensive affair, particularly over the first 40 minutes.

Penn State jumped to a 2-0 lead early on goals by Tyler Gratton at 4:02 of the first followed by a Clayton Phillips tally less than nine minutes later.

But North Dakota had an answer before the end of the frame. Judd Caufield scored on the power play with 1:50 remaining to bring the highly-partisan Fighting Hawks crowd to life.

The teams traded goals in the second with Penn State twice extending the lead to two goals only to have North Dakota respond. It again was a late-period power play goal, this one by Jake Schmaltz with just 10.7 seconds remaining that set up the exciting third period.

Prior to the game, it was announced that North Dakota will again participate in next year’s U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame game to be played Oct. 29, 2022 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The opponent in that game will be Arizona State.

SCOREBOARD  |  USCHO.com POLL

New Hampshire 2, No. 8 Providence 1 (OT)

A night after falling, 6-1, on the road to No. 8 Providence, New Hampshire exacted its revenge on home ice as Jackson Pierson’s unassisted goal with 19.5 second remaining in overtime gave the Wildcats a 2-1 victory.

Pierson anticipated a pass by a Providence player who was under pressure, picked off the puck and roofed a backhander over Friars netminder Jaxson Stauber to send the Wildcat faithful home happy.

UNH never trailed on the night, jumping to a 1-0 lead on Tyler Ward’s goal at 3:11 into the game. Providence evened the game on a Parker Ford tally at 7:21 of the middle frame.

David Fessenden, who came into the game on Friday night in relief of starter Mike Robinson, earned the victory in his first collegiate start making 31 saves.

Clarkson 2, No. 18 Michigan Tech 1

Another team able to avenge a tough Friday night loss, Clarkson scored twice in 64 seconds late in the second period to overcome a 1-0 deficit against No. 18 Michigan Tech, earning a 2-1 victory.

The Golden Knights were shutout on Friday, falling 3-0, and were struggling to solve the Huskies defense and goaltender for much of Saturday. But Anthony Romano’s shot on the rush with 1:46 left in the second followed by Chris Klack’s goal with 18 second remaining in the middle frame turned the game upside down.

Clarkson improves to 4-2-0 on the young season and will being ECAC play next weekend against Rensselaer and Union.

No. 3 Minnesota State 7, Northern Michigan 0

Senior goaltender Dryden McKay is now officially the all-time Division I men’s shutout leader.

McKay needed to make just 15 shots on the evening, while his team provided plenty of offense in front as No. 3 Minnesota State completed a two-game sweep of Northern Michigan with a 7-0 victory.

It was the 27th shootout of McKay’s career, one better than Michigan State’s Ryan Miller, who posted 26 from 1999-2002 at Michigan State.

The victory also moved McKay into a tie for first in all-time wins for a Minnesota State goaltender, matching Steve Carroll’s mark of 81 from 1977-1981.

Wisconsin rebounds to upset No. 2 Michigan, 4-2; No. 13 Western Michigan bounces back from five down to beat Colgate, 6-5; UMass Lowell blanks No. 19 BU, 3-0

By
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A night after falling, 3-0, to No. 3 Michigan, Wisconsin jumped to a 2-0 lead and had an answer for every Wolverines tally as the Badgers earned the 4-2 upset (photo: Jonathan Knight/Michigan Athletics)

Wisconsin had a solid response on Friday, a night after falling, 3-0, to No. 2 Michigan.

The Badgers jumped to a 2-0 lead on goals by Caden Brown and Tarek Baker and then had an answer to every Michigan tally, leading to a 4-2 road upset of the Wolverines.

After Michigan’s Kent Johnson cut the deficit to 2-1 on the power play at 4:45 of the third, Wisconsin’s Max Johnson responded just 42 seconds later.

Mackie Samoskevich tallied with exactly 10 minutes remaining for Michigan to cut the lead again to one, but Brock Caufield’s unassisted empty-net goal with 2:00 left sealed the win.

Cameron Rowe earned the victory for Wisconsin making 32 saves.

Scoreboard  |  USCHO.com Poll

No. 13 Western Michigan 6, Colgate 5

Things looked very bleak for No. 13 Western Michigan late in the second period. But somehow, trailing 5-0 to Colgate with less than three minutes to go in the middle stanza, the Broncos found a way to mount one of the more remarkable comebacks to earn a 6-5 victory.

Jason Polin and Ronnie Attard scored just 28 seconds apart late in the second to make the comeback imaginable for Western Michigan. But few could have known at the point that both were beginning their roles as catalysts for this ultimate comeback.

Polin scored his second early in the third at 3:55. Then Paul Washe, assisted by Polin, made it a one-goal game with 7:04 left.

Then it became Ronnie Attard’s stage. He tied the game with 5:46 left then completed both the hat trick – and the comeback – with 1:13 remaining.

Western Michigan improves to 4-1-0 on the young season, it’s only loss an overtime defeat against Michigan. The two teams face one another again on Saturday at 5:00 p.m. ET.

UMass Lowell 3, No. 19 Boston University 0

Andre Lee scored twice and goaltender Owen Savory stopped all 29 shots he faced as UMass Lowell improved to 3-1-1 with a road victory against No. 19 Boston University, 3-0.

Lee scored at 7:49 of the first and against at 10:41 of the second to spot the River Hawks the 2-0 lead. Late in the second, Reid Stefanson added to the lead with an assist from Lee.

Lowell, after dropping its opener to Arizona State, is 3-0-1 in its last four games and will host the Terriers on Saturday beginning at 6:05 p.m. ET.

 

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