NCHC picks: Dec. 28

-

December 28, 2014

Through the first half, I have a slim lead on Matthew in our picks contest, as I am 61-29-6 (.667) and Matthew is 57-33-6 (.625). Matthew and I will be picking the games as they get scheduled in the tournaments. For now, we start with Notre Dame and Miami.

Sunday, Dec. 28

No. 6 Miami vs. Notre Dame
Candace: Like Matthew I have to go with the team that has been stronger this year. Miami 3-1
Matthew: Between how good Miami has been in the first half of the season and how meh the Fighting Irish have looked, I’ve got to take the RedHawks here. Miami 4-1

Monday, Dec. 29

Western Michigan vs. No. 17 Colgate
Candace: I think the Broncos will make this close, but I favor the Raiders. Colgate 2-1
Matthew: Colgate has lost each of its last three games, but for as much as I want to take the homer pick here, I don’t think the Raiders’ streak will stretch to four. Colgate 3-2

Tuesday-Wednesday, Dec. 30-31

New Hampshire at No. 12 Omaha
Candace: Both games will be close, but I’m going for the home league pick. Omaha 3-2, 3-1
Matthew: It can’t be weird to only me to see UNH doing as poorly as it has so far this season. Regardless, I think the Wildcats will lose twice more at UNO. Omaha 3-1, 4-2

Pickin’ the Big Ten, Dec. 28-30: GLI and Three Rivers Classic

By Paula C. Weston

-

December 28, 2014

Happy New Year, everyone! There are two holiday tournaments to pick this week, but first a look at how Drew Claussen and I finished the first half.

Dec. 12-14
Drew: 2-0 (1.000)
Paula: 1-1 (.500)

Season
Drew: 45-29-4 (.603)
Paula: 29-44-5 (.404)

Yes, there was coal in my stocking on Christmas morning. Drew got the pony I’ve been asking for since I was five. Again.

The Great Lakes Invitational

Drew

Just like everyone predicted before the season started, Michigan Tech will roll into the 50th Great Lakes Invitational as the favorite. With four in-state teams going at it, this is one of the more interesting holiday tournaments.

The games will return to Joe Louis Arena this year, which will take away all the fluke elements that go along with an outdoor game, which I’ve never been a huge fan of. I’ve been to two collegiate ones but would not have gone if I couldn’t have gotten a press pass. Bad sight lines, cold and diminished quality of play. I’ll end this mini-rant before I somehow transition into my hatred of shootouts.

The bracket is set up with the potential for an all-Big Ten, all-WCHA or B1G vs. WCHA championship game. Between Michigan and Michigan State, I believe the Wolverines have a better chance finding success in Detroit, but taking down the Huskies on the way to the championship game will be a tall order. I was leaning towards picking Ferris State to win in its first year at the tournament, but will go with the safer bet in Michigan Tech.

Paula

It’s a great field this year and I am (of course) digging the heavy former-CCHA vibe with the improved Huskies making it that much more exciting.

The first semifinal game features Michigan versus Michigan Tech. The Wolverines ended the first half with a 5-1 road loss to Boston College (Dec. 13), a game that snapped a four-game win streak. Tech’s first half closed with a home split against Minnesota Duluth, losing 3-1 Dec. 12 and winning 4-3 the following night. Michigan Tech swept Michigan in Houghton Oct. 31-Nov. 1, outscoring the Wolverines 10-3 in the process. This game is the 34th GLI meeting between the two teams, with Michigan holding a 22-11-0 record in those matches. The Wolverines are 53-34-1 all-time in the GLI and have 15 tournament titles, more than any other team. They will be without four key players for this tournament, though. Defenseman Zach Werenski and forwards JT Compher, Dylan Larkin and Tyler Motte are playing for Team USA in the IIHF World Junior Championship.

The second semifinal game has Ferris State playing Michigan State. The Bulldogs ended their first half with a two-game home sweep of Lake Superior State (Dec. 12-13), winning 5-2 and 5-0. Michigan State beat visiting Clarkson, 6-4, Dec. 14, their first win in three games. The Bulldogs and Spartans split a series in East Lansing Oct. 31-Nov. 1, with Ferris State winning 1-0 the first night and Michigan State taking the rematch, 4-1. Michigan State is 69-36-15 all-time against Ferris State. Overall in GLI play, the Spartans are 47-30-3 with 12 titles to their credit.

The entire tournament is televised by Fox Sports Detroit Plus and Fox College Sports. Games are Sunday-Monday, at 3:30 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.

Drew’s picks: Michigan Tech over Michigan in the first semifinal, 4-2. Ferris State over Michigan State in the second semifinal, 3-1. Michigan over Michigan State, 5-1, in the third-placed game. Michigan Tech over Ferris State 3-1 for the championship.

Paula’s picks: I think this field is wide open. Michigan Tech has advanced to the title game the past two tournaments, losing to Western Michigan last year in Comerica Park and winning in 2012. Once again, I’m picking against the odds. Michigan 3-2 in the first semifinal. Michigan State 4-3 in the second semifinal. Tech over Ferris State (sorry Bulldogs) in the third-place game, 4-2. Spartans over Wolverines in the title game, 3-2. Yes, I know I’m setting myself up to go 0-for-4 in these picks, but after my first half, what do I have to lose?

The Three Rivers Classic

Drew

The third annual Three Rivers Classic will also be the third time Penn State has participated in the tournament. The Nittany Lions have experienced mixed results at the tournament, going 2-2 with victories against Ohio State in 2012 and Robert Morris in 2013 and blowout losses against the Colonials in 2012 and Boston College last season.

The Nittany Lions jumping into the USCHO.com Division I Men’s Poll for the first time in program history right before voting went on hiatus for the holiday break makes three ranked teams in this field, with No. 17 Colgate and No. 19 Robert Morris joining No. 20 Penn State. Unranked Western Michigan has already proven this season that it is not a team to sleep on when the Broncos won the Shillelagh Tournament in November by defeating Ohio State and blasting Union 8-2.

Paula

This is another great field, with under-the-radar teams and a short but interesting tournament history. The first semifinal is Western Michigan versus Colgate. The Broncos finished their first half with a four-game unbeaten streak, last playing Colorado College Dec. 12-13, a 3-2 overtime win followed by a 1-1 tie. Colgate heads into this tournament looking to break a three-game losing streak; the Raiders last played Dec. 9, a 4-3 loss to Providence.

The second semifinal has Robert Morris facing off against Penn State. The Colonials ended the first half with just their second loss of the season during a weekend split with Mercyhurst (Dec. 12-13); RMU won 7-4 before losing 3-0, the loss halting a five-game unbeaten streak. Penn State last played Dec. 5-6, beating Wisconsin 5-2 and 5-4 on the road to record the team’s first Big Ten sweep.

The series between the Colonials and Nittany Lions is tied at 2-2-0 all-time, with a 1-1-0 record at the Three Rivers Classic. Their last match was at last year’s tournament, a 3-2 PSU win.

This is a Monday-Tuesday tournament, with games at 4:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. in the CONSOL Energy Center. The tournament will not be televised.

Drew’s picks: Colgate over Western Michigan 4-2 in the first semifinal. Penn State over Robert Morris 3-2 in the second semi-final. Western Michigan over Robert Morris, 4-1, in the third-place game. Colgate over Penn State 5-3 for the championship.

Paula’s picks: I have a sneaking suspicion that Robert Morris will win this whole thing, but that’s not how I’m calling it. Western over Colgate 3-2 in the first semifinal and Penn State over Robert Morris, 3-2, in the second semifinal. Robert Morris over Colgate, 4-2, in the third-place game. Penn State over Western Michigan for the title, 3-2.

At a glance: Western Michigan, Colgate, Penn State and Robert Morris in the Three Rivers Classic

USCHO Staff Report

-

December 28, 2014

Defenseman Jake Kulevich and Colgate hope to break a three-game losing streak at the Three Rivers Classic (photo: Shelley M. Szwast).

Here’s some info on the Three Rivers Classic:

The details

Where: Consol Energy Center, Pittsburgh.

Monday’s schedule: Western Michigan (6-8-2) vs. No. 17 Colgate (9-6-1), 4:30 p.m. EST; No. 20 Penn State (9-4-2) vs. No. 19 Robert Morris (11-2-3), 7:30 p.m.

Tuesday’s schedule: Third-place game, 4:30 p.m. EST; championship game, 7:30 p.m.

Notes to know

Western Michigan had an up-and-down first half of the season, and part of that has been because it has yet to go into a game with its full lineup available. The Broncos are 3-0-1 in their last four games, but they’ll have a rough job on their hands in Pittsburgh against a well-balanced tournament field.

Colgate has not enjoyed the kind of overwhelming success that many foresaw for it entering the season, as despite a deep and seasoned roster, injuries have taken some of the bite out of the offense. The team slid into the holiday break on a three-game losing skid but hopes to turn things around this week with the return of a healthy and rested Tylor Spink. This half of the twin tandem returned to game action only on Dec. 9, registering the first assist on his brother Tyson’s first-period goal. Defense and goaltending have been streaky, but netminder Charlie Finn’s .922 save percentage is no fluke.

Penn State is in the Three Rivers Classic field for the third consecutive season. The Nittany Lions have an even 2-2 record at the tournament in their program’s history, defeating then-nonconference foe Ohio State in 2012 and Robert Morris last season.

Robert Morris won the inaugural tournament in 2012 and finished fourth last season, right before the Colonials went on their run that culminated in their first Atlantic Hockey championship. The first-round matchup against Penn State is the first meeting of ranked teams in tournament history. Expect to see both Terry Shafer and Dalton Izyk in the net for the Colonials.

Social snippet

Hope you’re spending the holidays with people you love…we are! See you in a few days at the @3RiversClassic. #3RC pic.twitter.com/ThwAwZJLGM

— Robert Morris Hockey (@RMUHockey) December 25, 2014

At a glance: Providence, UMass, Air Force and Vermont in the Catamount Cup

USCHO Staff Report

-

December 27, 2014

Mike Paliotta and Vermont host the Catamount Cup starting Sunday (photo: Melissa Wade).

Here’s some info on the Catamount Cup:

The details

Where: Gutterson Fieldhouse, Burlington, Vt.

Sunday’s schedule: No. 16 Providence (9-6-1) vs. Massachusetts (4-12), 4 p.m. EST; Air Force (5-10-2) vs. No. 10 Vermont (13-3-1), 7 p.m.

Monday’s schedule: Air Force vs. Massachusetts, 4 p.m. EST; No. 16 Providence vs. No. 10 Vermont, 7 p.m.

Notes to know

Providence coach Nate Leaman captured his 200th victory as a head coach in the Friars’ 4-3 win over No. 13 Colgate to close out the first half. Ironically, the win was the first time in 11 contests that Providence has allowed more than two goals.

Massachusetts has lost four straight, most recently an 8-3 thumping at the hands of Northeastern. The Minutemen surrendered five power-play goals. On the brighter side, redshirt sophomore Frank Vatrano provided two of UMass’ tallies, his team-leading eighth and ninth goals of the year.

Air Force finds itself in unfamiliar territory — struggling to score goals and in ninth place in Atlantic Hockey. The Falcons came within 30 seconds of defeating North Dakota earlier in the season, but also lost to Alabama-Huntsville so it’s anyone’s guess which team will show up in Vermont. The pressure’s on for the top line of Cole Gunner (6-12–18), Scott Holm (7-6–13) and Chad Demers (4-9–13) to produce.

Through 17 games, Vermont carries a record of 13-3-1, its best start since 1987-88, when John LeClair was a freshman. UVM leads the nation with a 1.53 GAA and 93.7 percent penalty kill rate, while riding a six-game winning streak.

Social snippet

Friar Friday and teams getting back in action with @ProvidenceWBB playing BC and @FriarsHockey at Catamount Cup vs U Mass Sunday. #gofriars.

— Bob Driscoll (@PCBobDriscoll) December 26, 2014

At a glance: Michigan Tech, Michigan, Ferris State and Michigan State in the Great Lakes Invitational

USCHO Staff Report

-

December 27, 2014

Villiam Haag (26) and Michael Ferrantino lead Michigan State into the Great Lakes Invitational (photo: Shelley M. Szwast).

Here’s some info on the 50th Great Lakes Invitational:

The details

Where: Joe Louis Arena, Detroit.

Sunday’s schedule: No. 5 Michigan Tech (13-3) vs. Michigan (8-7), 3:30 p.m. EST; Ferris State (9-7-1) vs. Michigan State (6-9-1), 7 p.m.

Monday’s schedule: Third-place game, 3:30 p.m. EST; championship game, 7 p.m.

TV: Fox Sports Detroit Plus.

Notes to know

After falling to Western Michigan 1-0 in overtime in the Great Lakes Invitational title game last season at Comerica Park, Michigan Tech comes into this season’s tournament as a big favorite. The No. 5 Huskies are 4-0 against Michigan and Ferris State this season. Tech hasn’t allowed more than three goals in a game this season. The Huskies are third in the nation in scoring defense (1.69 goals against) and have the second-best penalty kill in the country (91.9 percent). Sophomore goaltender Jamie Phillips is helping lead that charge; he’s fourth in the nation in GAA (1.69) and fifth in save percentage (93.9).

Michigan brings a hot offense into the GLI, third best in the nation (3.87 goals per game) with a power play that is 7for15 (46.7 percent) in its last three games. Senior Zach Hyman (710–17) leads the team in scoring, and sophomore Alex Kile (9615) is tied for second in the nation with six powerplay goals. Eight different players have accounted for Michigan’s eight gamewinning goals.

Although Ferris State has been playing hockey for 40 seasons and the GLI has been around for 50, this is the first time the Bulldogs have ever participated in the tournament, which is a staple of college hockey in their home state. Ferris has won 10 of its last 13 matchups against Michigan State, but the teams split their nonconference series earlier this year in East Lansing, Mich. The Bulldogs won 1-0 Friday, Oct. 31, before falling 4-1 in the Saturday game on Nov. 1.

No one can accuse Michigan State‘s offense of avoiding hard work. The Spartans have outshot opponents in 11 of 16 games this season, averaging 30.5 shots on goal per game. The added pressure in front of opponents’ nets has resulted in an increase in average goals scored per game. At the end of last season, the Spartans averaged 2.19; they averaged 2.38 per game in the first half of this season.

Social snippet

Christmas practice for the huskies. #HolidayHuskies pic.twitter.com/znNyKIxY38

— Michigan Tech Hockey (@mtuhky) December 26, 2014

At a glance: Miami, Notre Dame, Lake Superior State and Cornell in the Florida College Hockey Classic

USCHO Staff Report

-

December 27, 2014

Cornell goes after a second straight Florida College Hockey Classic title (photo: Shelley M. Szwast).

Here’s some info on the 15th annual Florida College Hockey Classic:

The details

Where: Germain Arena, Estero, Fla.

Sunday’s schedule: No. 6 Miami (11-5) vs. Notre Dame (8-8-2), 4 p.m. EST; Lake Superior State (3-17) vs. Cornell (5-5-1), 7:30 p.m.

Monday’s schedule: Third-place game, 4 p.m. EST; championship game, 7:30 p.m.

Notes to know

Miami experienced a largely disastrous first NCHC regular season, but the RedHawks are a much different team this time around. Miami went into its holiday break leading the NCHC, just ahead of second-place Minnesota-Duluth — and Miami has won six of its last eight games.

Notre Dame closed out the first half on a high note by picking up its first road sweep in Hockey East play since joining the conference. The two victories, 7-5 and 4-0, came at the expense of Massachusetts. The wins vaulted the Irish into fifth place in Hockey East, where they hold at least two games in hand over the teams immediately above them.

Lake Superior State will make its Florida College Hockey Classic debut while in the midst of a six-game losing streak. The Lakers are 3-17 overall and have lost to Minnesota State, North Dakota and Ferris State. Their last victory was a 3-2 overtime decision against Alaska in Fairbanks. Sunday’s game against Cornell will be 24 years to the date of the teams’ first-ever meeting (Dec. 28, 1990), in Syracuse, N.Y., at the Syracuse Invitational. LSSU won that game 3-2 and also won the other meeting between the teams — March 22, 1966 in the NCAA East Regional in Albany, N.Y.

Cornell has won the Florida tournament four times in 14 seasons and will be the only team to appear in all 15 editions after former co-host Maine dropped out. The Big Red won last season’s tournament by beating Maine in a shootout after the championship game.

Social snippet

Looking to repeat in FL Tourney, @CUBigRedHockey emerges from break – http://t.co/l0vNbScO7b pic.twitter.com/IZByQcSJIv

— ECAC HOCKEY (@ECACHOCKEYMWD1) December 22, 2014

United States tops Finland in shootout to open World Juniors

USCHO Staff Report

-

December 26, 2014

MONTREAL — For the ninth time in the last 10 years, the United States opened the IIHF World Junior Championship with a win, beating Finland 2-1 in a shootout Friday at the Bell Centre.

Chase De Leo scored the decisive goal in the shootout and Thatcher Demko (Boston College) stopped 28 of 29 shots to lift the Americans.

[scg_html_wjc2015] “That’s a very good team we just beat,” said Team USA coach Mark Osiecki in a news release. “I give our guys a lot of credit. They played hard and I thought we got better as the game went on.”

Finland opened the scoring just 1:22 into the game when the puck deflected off the skate of a U.S. player past Demko at the side of the net. The goal was credited to Mikko Rantanen.

Team USA evened the game on the power play at 13:54 of the first period. U.S. captain Jack Eichel (Boston University) made a nice play from behind the net, passing it off the end wall to himself and then backhanding a pass out front to a wide-open Alex Tuch (Boston College), who made no mistake in beating Finland goalie Ville Husso.

In the shootout, Eichel put the U.S. ahead in the first round only to have Arturi Lehkonen even it on the next shot. After a scoreless second round, De Leo beat Husso between the pads and then Demko made a glove save on Kasperi Kapenen to secure the win.

Defenseman Will Butcher (Denver) was named the U.S. Player of the Game.

Team USA is back in action on Sunday (Dec. 28) against Germany at 8 p.m. EST at the Bell Centre.

Atlantic Hockey Picks, Dec. 27- 30

By Chris Lerch

-

December 26, 2014

Last week:

Dan: 3-2-2
Chris: 4-1-2

On the season:

Dan: 61-39-15 (.596)
Chris: 67-33-15 (.648)

This Week’s Picks:

Saturday, December 27
Sacred Heart vs. Massachusetts-Lowell
Dan: This will be a game between two very balanced teams. There’s a slight edge here to the River Hawks defensively with a couple of really solid two-way player guys, but if the entire Pioneer unit can rise to the occasion, they’ll pick off a win here. I wouldn’t put a win coming out to the side of red and white, but for now, I’m going to pick UML to win.
Chris:The last times these teams met (Oct. 11, 2013),Lowell was the No. 1 team in the country and SHU was coming off a 2-30-4 season. The Pioneers, of course, won 2-1. Despite Sacred Heart showing steady improvement, I think the River Hawks win this round. Mass-Lowell wins.

Sunday, December 28
Sacred Heart vs. Union/Connecticut
Dan: If it’s Union, I’m taking the Dutchmen, but there’s something about the in-state rivalry that’ll have the Pioneers juiced up. Union/Sacred Heart wins.
Chris:Sacred Heart defeated UConn in this tournament last year, but I think both the Huskies or the Dutchmen will prevail. Union/UConn wins.

Air Force at Vermont
Dan:Air Force entered the break listless, losing three out of four games. After a 22-day layoff, they have to hope their team skates better together in order to compete with a Vermont team that played the best hockey of their season heading into the holidays. The Catamounts haven’t lost since November 21st. Vermont wins.
Chris:Is it time for the Falcons to begin their annual second-half surge? Not yet, I think against the host Catamounts. Vermont wins.

Monday, December 29
Air Force vs. Massachusetts
Dan:I’m with Chris in this one. UMass isn’t a very good hockey team, getting absolutely throttled in their last three games before break. A loss here will ratchet up the heat on head coach John Micheletto’s seat just a little bit. Air Force wins.
Chris:This tournament has a predetermined schedule, which means win or lose Air Force gets the Minutemen in the second game. And I like them to win this one. Air Force wins.

Robert Morris vs. Penn State
Dan:Absolutely nothing beats a game between these two in Pittsburgh. Last year, over 8,500 fans witnessed a third period Penn State comeback for a 3-2 win. The year before, 11,663 watched RMU destroy a team in its first year as a Division I program. Emotions will run high, a rivalry will be renewed, and RMU will win.
Chris:Both teams are ranked and playing very well at the moment. I’m going with the Colonials to pull out a close but high-scoring game. RMU wins.

Tuesday, December 30
American International at Clarkson
Dan:The drive back from Clarkson is so long, AIC might not make it back by 2015 if they hit an infamous WNY snowstorm. The losing streak (currently at 10) will end soon because the Yellow Jackets played well before the break, but it won’t be here. Clarkson wins.
Chris: Potsdam, N.Y. is a long way to go for a single game, and I don’t think it will be worth the trip for the Yellow Jackets. Clarkson wins at home.

Yale at Holy Cross
Dan:This game could boil down to special teams. Yale might be a top-15 penalty killing unit, but it’s because the refs never actually call any penalties on them (least penalized team in the nation at 6.7 minutes per game). Their power play, on the other hand, is under 10%, one of the worst in the nation. Compare that to Holy Cross, a top five team in penalty killing while ranking in the top 20 in power play scoring. Holy Cross wins.
Chris:I’ve seen both these teams this season and they remind me of each other – tough team defense, a good forecheck and great goaltending. But I think Yale is deeper, so I’m going with the Bulldogs to pull this one out on the road. Yale wins.

Robert Morris vs. Western Michigan/Colgate
Dan:This is going to turn into a must-win game for an RMU team currently ranked 21st in the Pairwise Rankings. They need these victories to drive towards an at-large bid. Any out-of-conference loss all but assures the AHA of one team and one team only in the big dance. That’s a situation calling for RMU’s well-documented compete level. RMU wins regardless of opponent.
Chris:I’m going to split on this one. I think RMU will prevail against Western but would fall to Colgate should they meet. So I’m going with RMU to defeat WMU or RMU to lose to the Raiders.

Team USA again NCAA-heavy for World Junior Championship

USCHO Staff Report

-

December 26, 2014

Yale sophomore forward John Hayden (right) is an alternate captain for the United States World Junior team (photo: Shelley M. Szwast).

The United States finalized its roster for the 2015 IIHF World Junior Championship on Thursday by releasing defenseman Steven Santini of Boston College.

Santini has not played since Oct. 25 due to a wrist injury, but had the cast removed from his wrist on Monday.

“We wanted to see where Steve was after he had the cast removed and it’s clear he needs more time before he’s ready to play,” said Team USA general manager Jim Johannson in a news release.

The final U.S. roster includes three goaltenders, seven defensemen and 13 forwards.

Forward Jack Eichel (Boston University) was named captain of the team, with defenseman Will Butcher (Denver) and forward John Hayden (Yale) serving as alternate captains.

Team USA will begin play Friday (Dec. 26) against Finland at 3 p.m. EDT in Montreal.

Player's Name	Position	School
JT Compher	F	Michigan
Nick Schmaltz	F	North Dakota
Jack Eichel	F	Boston University
Anthony Louis	F	Miami
Miles Wood	F	Boston College (2015)
Tyler Motte	F	Michigan
John Hayden	F	Yale
Alex Tuch	F	Boston College
Dylan Larkin	F	Michigan
Hudson Fasching	F	Minnesota
Noah Hanifin	D	Boston College
Ian McCoshen	D	Boston College
Will Butcher	D	Denver
Ryan Collins	D	Minnesota
Zach Werenski	D	Michigan
Thatcher Demko	G	Boston College

In addition, uncommitted forward Auston Matthews from the U.S. NTDP also made the U.S. squad.

NCAA players on other World Junior teams include St. Cloud State defenseman Mika Ilvonen (Finland), Ohio State defenseman Janik Moser (Germany), Western Michigan forward Frederik Tiffels (Germany), Minnesota State recruits and forwards Parker Tuomie and Marc Michaelis (Germany) and Minnesota forward Leon Bristedt (Sweden).

At a glance: UMass-Lowell, Sacred Heart, Union and Connecticut in the Frozen Holiday Classic

USCHO Staff Report

-

December 26, 2014

Rob Nichols and Connecticut host the Frozen Holiday Classic in Bridgeport, Conn. (photo: Shelley M. Szwast)

Here’s some info on the inaugural Frozen Holiday Classic:

The details

Where: Webster Bank Arena, Bridgeport, Conn.

Saturday’s schedule: No. 9 Massachusetts-Lowell (10-3-3) vs. Sacred Heart (5-9-2), 3 p.m. EST; Union (9-6-1) vs. Connecticut (3-8-4), 6 p.m.

Sunday’s schedule: Third-place game, 3 p.m. EST; championship game, 6 p.m.

Notes to know

UMass-Lowell‘s senior class holds a record of 88-38-10. The senior River Hawks’ 88 wins are tied for the most by a single class in program history, and it will become the all-time winningest class in school history with its next victory.

Since reclassifying to Division I in 1998-99, Sacred Heart has played in 11 holiday tournaments, winning none. The Pioneers will look to make program history in the first year of the Frozen Holiday Classic, an offshoot of what used to be the UConn Hockey Classic. Last year, they defeated Connecticut in the tournament’s first round before falling to Quinnipiac in the championship game.

Union is 4-0 this season against Hockey East teams, extending their winning streak against that league’s teams to 11 games since December 2012. The Dutchmen advanced to last season’s Frozen Four through Webster Bank Arena.

Connecticut has been off since Dec. 3, when the Huskies lost to ninth-ranked Lowell 6-4. The game marked only the third time all year the Huskies scored more than two goals. Not coincidentally, they also registered two power-play goals to break a drought that extended back to Nov. 8, a 4-4 tie with No. 1 Boston University.

Social snippet

[youtube_sc url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RLC87Fd1DgY]

The Great Lakes Invitational

The Three Rivers Classic

The details

Notes to know

Social snippet

The details

Notes to know

Social snippet

The details

Notes to know

Social snippet

The details

Notes to know

Social snippet

Last week:

On the season:

This Week’s Picks:

The details

Notes to know

Social snippet

Latest Stories from around USCHO