Denver coach Jim Montgomery, right, talks to players during Wednesday’s practice (photo: Jim Rosvold).
CHICAGO — This is Jim Montgomery’s fourth season at the helm of the No. 1 Denver Pioneers, who have made the NCAA tournament in each of those seasons and have advanced one round farther than the last each year.
In 2014, Denver was eliminated in the first round by Boston College. In 2015, Denver lost to eventual national champion Providence in the quarterfinals. Last season, Denver lost to eventual national champion North Dakota in the semifinals of the Frozen Four.
Montgomery and the Pioneers hope to break the one-more-round curse this weekend by winning two more rounds and claiming the program’s first national championship since 2005.
Denver sports a 31-7-4 record. The last time the Pioneers won 30 games in a season was 2005, when they went 32-9-2 and beat North Dakota to win the national championship.
The Pioneers’ 31 wins are tops in the country, and they also lead the country in team defense, giving up on average only 1.83 goals per game. Freshman phenom Henrik Borgström is tied for first in goals by a freshman with 21, Jarid Lukosevicius is tied for first with seven game-winning goals, and freshman defenseman Michael Davies is first among rookie defensemen in plus/minus with a plus-26 (fourth overall).
If Denver is looking for another omen that can overpower the one-more-round trend, it can turn to its coach.
Montgomery was a sophomore with a Maine Black Bears team that lost to Northern Michigan in the Frozen Four semifinals in 1991, Montgomery’s first appearance in the Frozen Four as a player. Northern Michigan then went on to win the national championship with a triple-overtime, 8-7 thriller over Boston University.
In Montgomery’s second appearance in the Frozen Four his senior year, he was named the tournament’s most outstanding player as Maine defeated Lake Superior State to win its first national championship.
“Yeah, I’ve talked about that, and I also talked about how in the senior year, when we lost to BU (7-6 in OT, Feb. 19, 1993), how it really put more urgency and purpose in what we were doing. We were never going to coast again. And I think the loss to North Dakota in the NCHC [Frozen Faceoff] semifinal game gave our team a little more direction and purpose for the rest of the season.”
In an interesting twist, Lake Superior was coached by Jeff Jackson in 1993; Jackson coaches Denver’s opponent Thursday in the semifinals, Notre Dame.
Denver coach Jim Montgomery addreses the media on Wednesday (photo: Jim Rosvold).
CHICAGO — During their practice at the United Center on Wednesday, the Denver Pioneers looked loose, yet focused. That attitude spilled over into the news conference, which coach Jim Montgomery opened by apologizing for being late, saying, “I couldn’t find any hair product after the shower.” The bald coach added as laughter rippled through the assembled reporters, “That’s true; Turtle Wax.”
Yet while the coach and players may feel loose, they are focused, in part because of their experience in Tampa last year at the Frozen Four, where the Pioneers lost 3-2 to North Dakota on a goal by Nick Schmaltz with less than a minute to go in the game. That loss is something Denver’s players have referenced as a motivating factor all season long.
“It was a bad taste losing that game to North Dakota last year in the semifinals,” said Denver senior captain Will Butcher. “So I think starting off in the offseason, for this coming year, was big for us just because I think the guys put in that extra mile of work with our strength coach, Matt Shaw. And off the ice, the guys were just great. We kind of came together and just said next year is going to be our year. That’s kind of been a goal from the beginning of the year.”
Denver is, according to some, the favorite to win the tournament. The Pioneers entered the tournament as the No. 1 seed and have been ranked No. 1 for most of the second half of the season.
Their dominating performances in the Midwest Regional, a 5-2 win over Michigan Tech and a 6-3 win over Penn State, add to that feel, yet Denver is more focused on its own play than any external chatter about their chances.
“I think a lot of us try to stay off social media and reading into those things,” said senior alternate captain Evan Janssen. “We just try to focus on ourselves. We always preach how you’ve got to stay in the moment. We’ve been doing everything that we’ve done all year, which we call the process. With our preparation, everything’s been the same.”
Ryan Donato gets a drink during Harvard’s practice Wednesday (photo: Melissa Wade).
CHICAGO — It’s been a special season for Harvard coach Ted Donato and his team: a Beanpot title (first in 24 years), an ECAC Hockey championship (second in three years) and the Crimson’s first Frozen Four berth since 1994.
Sharing it with son Ryan, a sophomore forward who’s tied for the team lead in goals with 21, has made it even more special. But the elder Donato said there will be time to reflect on that once this weekend is over. In the meantime, as it has been all season, it’s team first.
“I don’t think I, quite honestly, spend a lot of time thinking about it,” he said. “It’s really been kind of team focused.
“You know, I am very happy for Ryan and proud of the way he’s playing. I’m also very proud of the way our team, most importantly, is playing.”
Ryan Donato has been a standout for his father, racking up multiple honors so far. The second-round pick by Boston in the 2014 NHL Draft was named the Ivy League player of the year, ECAC player of the month for February, and he earned spots on the ECAC all-tournament and NCAA all-East Regional squads.
There’s plenty for Ted Donato to be proud of, but that will have to wait.
“I think it may be something at the end of the season, you might sit back and really appreciate what a great life experience it’s been for both of us, to be able to be part of a great season to this point,” he said.
“But at this point, I really haven’t thought much about it or put it all in perspective. I think right now we’re just in the moment and worrying about how the team performs.”
Adam Fox has 40 points in his freshman season at Harvard (photo: Melissa Wade).
CHICAGO — It’s obvious that Harvard’s large and talented senior class has contributed heavily to the Crimson’s success this season. But freshman Adam Fox has been a factor from the start of his rookie campaign, recording points in his first five collegiate games on the way to a total of 40 so far. His 1.14 points per game average leads all defensemen in Division I.
The Jericho, N.Y., native came to Harvard with impressive numbers — he’s the third-highest scoring defenseman in the history of the U.S. National Team Development Program — but his acclimation to the college game was faster than Crimson coach Ted Donato expected.
“I think we would all have to admit we’re a little bit surprised at how successful he’s been right away, averaging a point a game,” said Donato.
“I think we certainly had very high hopes and expectations. However, with the current status of college hockey with older kids, it’s becoming more and more of a challenge for these real dynamic 18-year-olds to make an impact.”
But Fox is a very special player, according to Donato.
“I think the truly elite guys find a way to do it,” Donato said. “I think Adam is so clever, and his hockey IQ is so incredible, he’s not just relying on the physical tools he has.”
Fox said that his time with the national team gave him an idea of what was going to be expected in college.
“With the NTDP, we had exhibition games against college teams and that helped me get acclimated to the pace of play and what it takes to get to the next level,” said Fox. “Obviously, my teammates have done a good job helping me get adjusted to the game.
“I don’t know if I came in with a mindset of how quick I could adapt but with a mindset of how I could help the team as best I could.”
“He’s been a tremendous shot in the arm for our defensive corps, and offensively he makes others around him better,” said Donato. “He’s had a terrific year.”
And it’s not over.
“It’s been a fun and successful year so far,” said Fox. “And two more wins would make it even better.”
Minnesota Duluth players goof around during practice Wednesday at the United Center (photo: Jim Rosvold).
CHICAGO — Entering the Frozen Four, Minnesota Duluth has the ninth-best scoring defense in the nation, averaging 2.27 goals allowed per game on the season — but numbers can be deceiving.
In their first 14 games in the second half of the season, the Bulldogs were allowing 1.86 goals per game and went 8-2-4 in that stretch. Then came a road split against Western Michigan March 3-4 to end the regular season, a 7-4 loss and 6-3 win.
In their last six games — NCHC playoff and tournament games and the NCAA West Regional, all wins — the Bulldogs have allowed 2.67 goals per game on average.
“We want to be tighter and not give teams so much time and space,” said captain Dominic Toninato. “We’ve got to stay focused and keep playing that hard defense because, obviously, Harvard is really skilled offensive team.”
Minnesota Duluth’s semifinal opponent, Harvard, enters the Frozen Four with the top scoring offense in the nation, averaging 4.14 goals per game. A renewed commitment to defense was part of the Bulldogs’ strategy two weeks ago before the West Regional, and even though they have respect for their Thursday opponent, they’re not intimidated by the Crimson.
“They’re quick,” said coach Scott Sandelin. “They transition well. They don’t give up the puck. They make plays. Their defense gets involved, especially guys like [Adam] Fox, who’s a tremendous player back there, very elusive, smart.
“But … the style they play, we’ve seen some of that. They do have some similarities to teams we’ve played. Hopefully [we will] minimize the mistakes, especially with pucks, and certainly, again, hopefully continue to do what we’ve done and capitalize on our opportunities, because I think we’ve done a good job of that this year when we get them.
“We’re talking about them. Hopefully, we can do the same thing to them. I think if we do that and they do that … it’s going to be a heck of a game.”
Minnesota Duluth coach Scott Sandelin, right, chats with Bulldogs players during practice Wednesday in Chicago (photo: Jim Rosvold).
CHICAGO — This is the third trip to the Frozen Four for Minnesota Duluth coach Scott Sandelin, whose Bulldogs last appeared in 2011, when they beat Michigan 3-2 in overtime.
It’s the third straight NCAA tournament appearance for this senior class, however, and Sandelin thinks that there are a few things that helped his squad advance beyond regional play.
“Teams sometimes come together quickly. Sometimes it takes a little while. Some never do. This one came together pretty quickly,” said Sandelin. “Maybe it was some of those early games that we won, the tight games, it brought them a little closer and believing. Because we’ve been in a lot of them, so I’ve got to think it’s helped a little bit.”
In the first half of the season, Minnesota Duluth was 4-3-2 in games decided by a goal or fewer; since the beginning of January, the Bulldogs are 9-4-2 in such games, including their two 3-2 overtime wins in the NCAA West Regional.
Another reason for surviving regional play, said Sandelin, is the way in which the upperclassmen have steered this year’s team.
“It’s a pretty close group. I know people say that,” said Sandelin. “They’ve had some success and kind of wanted to drive to take it another step, which they’ve done now, but they’ve been a big part of that. They’ve been our best players, too. That’s always important when your older guys, your key guys are your best players.”
Senior forward Alex Iafallo leads the Bulldogs with 19 goals and 30 assists in 40 games after sophomore and junior seasons in which he scored eight goals each year.
His classmate, forward and team captain Dominic Toninato (16-12–28) has averaged just above 15 goals per season in his last three years. Another senior, Kyle Osterberg (12-11–23) has one more goal this season than he did in his last two years combined, and he’s two behind his career high of 14 from his freshman season.
While Sandelin points to his players, Toninato said that it’s Sandelin who has set the tone for this year’s success.
“Coach preaches that all year to never be satisfied,” said Toninato, “so I think that helps us moving forward and wanting more and wanting to keep getting better.”
CHICAGO — USCHO Live! is on the road in Chicago with live broadcasts each day of the Frozen Four at Kitty O’Shea’s at the Chicago Hilton. Wednesday’s two-hour show airs from 4 to 6 p.m. CDT. Our scheduled guests are: Brad Schlossmann, Grand Forks Herald; veteran Michigan State hockey writer Neil Koepke; Nate Ewell, College Hockey Inc. deputy executive director; Jess Meyers, 1500 ESPN, Twin Cities and USA Hockey Magazine; and Matt Wellens, Duluth News Tribune.
Join us for the conversation live or online, Wednesday, April 5, at 4 p.m. CDT using the player below or listen using the Spreaker Radio app for iOS, Android or Windows phone.
If you’re in Chicagoland, stop by for free giveaways and to hear the show in person.
Be part of the conversation! Send your tweets to @USCHO or your emails to [email protected]. Each episode of USCHO Live! features a look at news around NCAA hockey, a look ahead at upcoming games and events, and conversation with people who coach, administer and play college hockey, and journalists who cover the sport.
About the hosts
Jim Connelly is a senior writer at USCHO.com and has been with the site since 1999. He is based in Boston and regularly covers Hockey East. He began with USCHO.com as the correspondent covering the MAAC, which nowadays is known as Atlantic Hockey. Each week during the season, he co-writes “Tuesday Morning Quarterback.” Jim is the winner of the 2012 Joe Concannon award. He is the color analyst for UMass-Lowell hockey’s radio network, and is a studio analyst for NESN.
Ed Trefzger has been part of USCHO since 1999 and now serves as a senior writer and director of technology. He has been a part of the radio broadcasts of Rochester Institute of Technology hockey since their inception — serving as a producer, studio host, color commentator and as RIT’s play-by-play voice for 10 seasons. Ed is vice president and general manager of CBS Sports Radio affiliate 105.5 The Team in Rochester, N.Y., and COO of its parent company, Genesee Media Corporation.
Mike Gabinet will follow Dean Blais as head coach at Omaha (photo: Mark Kuhlmann/Omaha Athletics).
Mike Gabinet will replace Dean Blais as head coach at Omaha, the school announced on Wednesday.
Gabinet was the Mavericks’ associate head coach in the 2016-17 season. Blais announced his resignation on March 14 after eight seasons leading the program.
“I’m grateful for this opportunity to be the head coach of my alma mater and excited to build on what’s been established here by Mike Kemp and Dean Blais,” Gabinet said in a news release. “I came to Omaha last year because of my passion for this program and the great experience I had here as a student-athlete. That’s one of the reasons why my wife and I are looking forward to raising our family here.
“The Omaha community has been a great supporter of our program, and I’m looking forward to building that bond with our fans and my fellow alumni, many of whom still live in the area,” added Gabinet. “I’m amazed by how far UNO has come since my playing days and I’m excited about where we’re going.”
Gabinet, 35, coached the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology in 2015-16 after three seasons as an associate coach.
He played defense for Omaha from 2000 to 2004 before starting a pro playing career.
“We undertook an extensive search, and Mike rose to the top of our candidate pool because of his detailed, comprehensive approach to creating a sustainable culture of excellence,” Omaha athletic director Trev Alberts said. “He has the passion and understanding of what it means to be a Maverick, and he has the ability to institute the kind of structure and attention to detail that will allow us to be successful in college hockey’s toughest conference.
“It also was very important to us to get the feedback from the players and to a man, they all endorsed Mike as the kind of coach who is a great teacher and someone who could help our program take the next step.”
New UNO coach Mike Gabinet gets 5-year contract/$250,000 a year. Also CC membership/car. Reg-season title=$20K bonus, Final 4=$50K, NC $75K
CHICAGO — Minnesota Duluth has the first practice at the United Center on Wednesday, the day before the Bulldogs play Harvard in the Frozen Four semifinals.
Denver announced Tuesday that a significant gift to DU athletics has been secured that will allow construction to begin this spring on a major locker room renovation for the Pioneers’ hockey program.
The new-and-improved facility will be known as the Miller Hockey Complex in recognition of DU alumnus and Board of Trustee member John Miller, who contributed significantly to the project and has been a longtime supporter of DU athletics.
“John and Sandy Miller are true Pioneers for Denver athletics,” said DU vice chancellor for athletics and recreation Bradley-Doppes in a statement. “Their tremendous support allowed us to build the Miller Academic Success Center four years ago. This center has had a major impact in DU graduating 95% of our student-athletes. The Miller family’s new gift allows us to break ground on what will be one of the finest hockey locker rooms in the country – not only aesthetically, but also for our training and coaching needs. The Miller Hockey Complex will ensure that DU Hockey continues to attract the best and brightest student-athletes in the world.”
In addition to offering student-athletes an expanded, customized locker area, a new-and-improved players’ lounge will include several first-rate amenities such as a nutrition station, study area, audio/video terminals and enhanced technological elements. The Miller Hockey Complex will feature historical elements showcasing the rich tradition of Denver hockey, including a Wall of Fame that will highlight great moments and individuals from throughout the program’s illustrious history.
“The combination of academic and athletic success at the University of Denver is unparalleled nationwide,” added Miller. “We, as alumni, must continue to support our student-athletes in both academic programs and athletic facilities. My family and I are pleased to support the Hockey Complex project as it further demonstrates the University of Denver’s commitment to excellence.”
The Miller Hockey Complex will feature an expanded athletic training area that will include state-of-the-art hydrotherapy pools while the overall size of the locker area will be almost doubled, from 3,800 square feet to over 7,000. More than 140 total donors contributed to the funding of this project, including 70 former DU hockey players.
“As a DU administrator – but particularly as a former coach and Denver hockey alumnus – it is gratifying to see the generous support for the remodel of our locker room,” said DU deputy director of athletics Ron Grahame. “It speaks to the integrity and respect of all who have passed through the doors to continue building the long-standing legacy of success we’ve enjoyed. To those who have supported the Pioneers from the stands and have helped with the locker room project, we salute you for continuing to be a big part of growing the university’s commitment to icing the best college hockey program in the country.”
Denver’s current locker room was completed in 1999, the same year Magness Arena as well as the Daniel Ritchie Center opened. The construction of the Miller Hockey Complex will be documented this summer via social media as well as on DenverPioneers.com.
“We’re extremely excited to be announcing this locker room renovation,” noted Denver coach Jim Montgomery. “We’re very grateful to the generous donors who’ve made this dream a reality – particularly John Miller without whom we wouldn’t be making this announcement. With the Miller Hockey Complex, DU hockey will maintain its leadership among the nation’s elite programs for years to come and we can’t wait to see the final product later this year.”
Goaltender Cal Petersen leads Notre Dame into a national semifinal matchup against Denver (photo: Melissa Wade).
As the lone team returning to the NCAA Frozen Four, the top-ranked Denver Pioneers come in as the favorites to get to the title game, but sitting directly in their path is a hot Notre Dame Fighting Irish team with an experienced goaltender and some talented forwards who could make life difficult.
The Fighting Irish are built from the back end out, and it all starts with their veteran goaltender Cal Petersen. It is not often that a netminder is named captain, but that is exactly how coach Jeff Jackson honored his junior.
[scg_html_ff2017]Petersen has appeared in 39 games this season and has racked up a record of 23-11-5 with a 2.13 goals against average and a .929 save percentage.
“It all starts in net,” said one opposing coach who saw Petersen early in the season. “Cal Petersen gives them such a boost of calm confidence from the net that allows those guys to play with confidence in every zone.”
Petersen has the type of big-game mentality that coaches love.
“Petersen was great against [UMass] Lowell and can steal a game at any time,” said another opposing coach whose team saw the Irish recently. “I think he is playing at a really high level right now.”
While the Irish struggled along the way this season, Petersen stood tall behind a big, physical blue line corps that should match up well against the Pioneers’ smaller, but heavily skilled, forwards.
Up front, the Irish are led by talented junior Anders Bjork. The Mequon, Wis., native is enjoying his best season as member of Notre Dame’s forwards, scoring career highs in goals (21), assists (31), points (52), power-play goals (5), short-handed goals (2) and game-winning goals (6).
“Bjork comes to mind as one of the best players in the country,” said an opposing coach. “I voted him as one of the top three players in the country that I saw. He was that good.”
Bjork has been strong throughout the season for the Irish. He scored seven points in the opening weekend against Arizona State and continued to roll through, scoring five points last weekend during the Northeast Regional.
Consistency has been a major part of his game. He opened the season on a five-game point streak, put up a six-game streak in December that lasted into January, racked up another five-game streak in February and enters the Frozen Four on a two-game streak.
As good as Notre Dame has been of late, it will have to be near perfect if its wants to take down the Pioneers, who are deep at every position.
Denver features one of the best goaltenders in the country in junior Tanner Jaillet. Smaller in stature than what has become the current tradition for goaltending, Jaillet is not flashy, but he makes the saves his team needs him to make. That’s enough to keep the Pioneers on the winning side of the ledger most nights.
“His numbers don’t lie,” said an opposing coach. “He’s a junior now. He’s been through the wringer and back. It wouldn’t shock me if he gets them through and they win it all.”
In 36 appearances this season, Jaillet is 26-5-4 with a 1.86 goals against average and a .928 save percentage.
In front of Jaillet, Denver’s smaller defensive corps is smart with its shots. Led by senior Will Butcher, freshman Michael Davies and junior Adam Plant, the Pioneers’ blue liners do not possess big shots, but rather smart ones. That allows their high-end forwards to create traffic in front of opposing nets, leading to quick goals off those smart shots.
Denver captain Will Butcher is one of three finalists for the Hobey Baker Award (photo: Bradley K. Olson).
“They don’t need much time or space to score goals,” said an opposing coach. “Obviously, they have one of the best defensemen in the country in Butcher, who’s like a forward playing defense because he handles the puck so well.”
Much is made of the Pioneers’ top three forwards in freshman Henrik Borgstrom and sophomores Troy Terry and Dylan Gambrell. All three possess strong puck-control skills, which makes them a load to try to stop when they get moving. All three can run the cycle very effectively in the offensive zone, making it tough for opponents to get the puck back.
“I really like their team,” said an opposing coach. “They are fast, work extremely hard and don’t make many mistakes. Terry, Gambrell and [Jarid] Lukosevicius is a great top line.”
Where the Pioneers really shine, however, is with the other nine forwards. With a mix of grit and skill from players like sophomore Colin Straub or seniors Emil Romig and Evan Janssen, the Pioneers are just as comfortable grinding out wins as they are to win running away with their skilled players.
“They have players who understand their roles and play to those roles,” said an opposing coach. “They accept them well. That’s the key to a team, when you are trying to design a team. Not everyone is going to be the leading scorer or on the power play, but they have to accept that role and play to it. I think they do that maybe better than anybody in the tournament.”
The Pioneers’ 12 forwards are relentless at tracking pucks down all over the rink, which wreaks havoc on opposing defenders. They are also good at supporting each other, making any breakout attempt an ordeal as opponents have to deal with multiple Denver forwards throughout the 200-foot sheet.
“They are deep 1-12 up front,” said an opposing coach. “I think that is the real strength of their team. They are quick. You see that quickness in that they get to a lot of loose pucks.”
While the Fighting Irish are hot of late, they will have play a near-perfect game if they want to catch the Pioneers and keep them from using their team speed and relentless puck pursuit to their advantage.
The good news for the Irish is that they have scoring depth, something they can use to their advantage. They will need that depth on Thursday as the Pioneers will attack their breakout in waves.
Jim Montgomery is the fourth Denver coach to win the Spencer Penrose Award (photo: Melissa Wade).
Denver’s Jim Montgomery was named Tuesday the winner of the Spencer Penrose Award as the Division I men’s hockey coach of the year.
Montgomery, who led the Pioneers to the Frozen Four for the second straight year and to the top overall seed in the NCAA tournament, will receive the award from the American Hockey Coaches Association on April 26 in Naples, Fla.
Denver is 31-7-4 entering the national semifinals against Notre Dame on Thursday in Chicago.
The Pioneers won the NCHC regular season championship and advanced to the Frozen Four by beating Michigan Tech and Penn State in the Midwest Regional.
Montgomery, a 1993 national champion as a player at Maine, is 100-47-18 in his fourth season coaching at Denver.
He’s the fourth Denver coach to win the award, joining Murray Armstrong in 1961, Ralph Backstrom in 1986 and George Gwozdecky in 2005.
Minnesota Duluth’s Hunter Miska “seems to have found his groove and has given them good, solid goaltending back there,” an opposing coach said (photo: Jim Rosvold).
When they meet on Thursday in the first of two semifinal matchups in the Frozen Four, the Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs will look to use their size and physical play to their advantage, while the Harvard Crimson will look to rely on the strength of their back end to keep the Bulldogs at bay.
The Bulldogs possess a physical blue line corps that keeps freshman goaltender Hunter Miska from getting into too much trouble. The youngster struggled a bit in the early portion of the season but turned a corner in early December in a series on the road at Denver. After giving up four goals during the Friday night game, he surrendered only one the next night. Since then, he has given up four goals only twice more.
[scg_html_ff2017]”I think they have done a real good job of bringing [Miska] along,” said an opposing coach who saw the Bulldogs early in the season. “I thought he played excellent in the regional. He seems to have found his groove and has given them good, solid goaltending back there.”
In 37 appearances this season, Miska is 26-4-5 with a 2.21 goals against average and a .919 save percentage.
In front of Miska is a defensive corps whose smallest member is senior Willie Raskob at 5-foot-10. The Bulldogs’ blue liners include three players 6-foot-4 or bigger in freshman Nick Wolff, senior Carson Soucy — who may be back from injury in time for the Frozen Four — and senior Brendan Kotyk, all of whom have played at least 33 games and have at least 12 points.
“They have good size on defense, but they have some mobility back there,” said an opposing coach. “They have some guys who can really shoot the puck from the point. They are strong back there.”
Up front, the Bulldogs feature senior Alex Iafallo. The Eden, N.Y., native collected around 24 points a season until this year, when he has exploded for 19 goals, 30 assists and 49 points, all career highs. He has also picked up the first two short-handed goals of his career and racked up five game-winners.
After starting the season with a point in each of his first three games, Iafallo exploded for four on Oct. 28 against North Dakota. Since then, he has been racking up the points and has finished the season strong. He enters the Frozen Four on a streak of seven straight games with two points.
Freshman winger Joey Anderson has found a home on the right side of a line with Iafallo and senior Dominic Toninato. Anderson has 11 goals and 34 points playing with the veterans.
Sophomore Adam Johnson also has had a strong season centering the Bulldogs’ second line. After starting the year on a seven-game point streak, Johnson has set new career highs with 18 goals, 19 assists, 37 points, seven power-play goals and five game-winners.
After their talented forwards, the Bulldogs feature a lineup that includes role players who are both mentally and physically tough.
“I like their physicality,” said an opposing coach. “They play a physical brand of hockey, but they also can play with skill and speed, and that gives them a nice combination.”
The Bulldogs will need all of that higher-end talent to deal with 6-foot-5 Merrick Madsen, who patrols the crease for the Crimson. He leads a strong back end for Harvard that does not surrender much in its own end.
Madsen has appeared in 35 contests, going 28-5-2 in those games. He sports a 2.11 goals against average and a .922 save percentage, but it’s his length that makes him difficult to beat most nights.
Merrick Madsen is 28-5-2 for Harvard this season (photo: Melissa Wade).
“He has a really intimidating presence,” said an opposing coach who saw the Crimson early in the season. “When he stands up, he literally looks like he is 7-feet [tall]. He plays with an overwhelming presence back there because he plays goaltender hard.”
In front of Madsen, the Crimson’s blue line looks similar to that of the Bulldogs. They feature junior Wiley Sherman, who stands 6-foot-7, and a number of defenders over 6-foot-2. However, it is the somewhat diminutive Adam Fox, a freshman, who steals the show. The rookie has stepped in and played like a veteran from day one, racking up six goals and 39 points. Two of his six goals have come on the power play and two have been scored on empty nets.
“Easily the best freshman [defenseman] we saw all year was Fox,” said an opposing coach. “He was so impressive in his very first collegiate games. You knew he was going to be special. He’s proven to be one of the best overall defensemen in the country.”
Up front, the Crimson are senior-heavy with Tyler Moy, Alexander Kerfoot and Sean Malone, all of whom have racked up at least 16 goals and 42 points. The Crimson are also deep in skilled forwards, as sophomore Ryan Donato has proven.
The son of former NHLer and 13-year Harvard coach Ted Donato, Ryan Donato equaled his point total as a freshman (21) in goals this season, and has added 19 assists as well.
After a bit of a slow start, Ryan Donato has scored 25 points since the start of 2017, including a four-goal game against Union on Feb. 10 and a four-assist effort against Brown on Feb. 18.
“They just seem so balanced up front,” said an opposing coach. “They have, obviously, a superstar in Ryan Donato. He, to me, was easily one of the top five players we played against all year.”
The Crimson will need all of their high-end talent to get past the stifling blue line corps of the Bulldogs in the first semifinal of the Frozen Four on Thursday. The Bulldogs will look for more strong play from Miska if they want to shut down the Crimson’s high-flying offense.
Crowley also is the head coach of Elmira’s women’s golf team.
“Coach Crowley joined this team after it started and was able to resume the momentum of the season both on the ice and in recruiting,” Pat Thompson, Elmira’s vice president of athletics, said in a statement. “Having had the opportunity to work with him for almost five years, I felt he was a great fit and well qualified to carry on our women’s ice hockey tradition.”
Elmira finished at No. 6 in the USCHO.com Division III Women’s Poll this season with a 18-6-4 record.
Crowley, a former player at Brockport, has coached with Elmira’s men’s team and at Potsdam.
The NHL’s decision to not take part in the 2018 Olympics could open the door for men’s college hockey players to fill teams in PyeongChang, South Korea, next season.
The league gave final confirmation on Monday that it would not stop the 2017-18 season to allow for players to join national teams.
NHL players had taken part in the Olympics since 1998.
The NHL has released the following statement regarding the 2018 Olympic Winter Games. pic.twitter.com/nqjYtsLHew
USA Hockey executive director Dave Ogrean said the organization knew the NHL’s decision was a possibility. “The good news is that because of our grassroots efforts over the course of many years, our player pool is as deep as it has ever been and we fully expect to field a team that will play for a medal,” he said in a statement.
Jakob Forsbacka Karlsson had 14 goals as a sophomore at Boston University (photo: Melissa Wade).
Boston University sophomore forward Jakob Forsbacka Karlsson has signed with the NHL’s Boston Bruins.
Forsbacka Karlsson had 24 goals and 63 points over two seasons with the Terriers, including 14 goals as a sophomore.
A second-round pick by the Bruins in 2015, Forsbacka Karlsson signed a three-year, entry-level deal and is awaiting immigration approval to be able to join the Boston roster, the team announced.
A native of Stockholm, Sweden, Forsbacka Karlsson was an all-rookie team selection in Hockey East last season.
