ECAC Hockey officials are looking into the series of on-ice incidents at the end of Saturday’s Rensselaer-Union game in Albany, N.Y., one of which involved the head coaches getting in a heated dispute.
Videos showed that shoving started as soon as the Engineers won a last-second faceoff in its zone to seal a 2-1 victory over the third-ranked Dutchmen and escalated as Rensselaer players came off their bench to celebrate.
Union captain Mat Bodie is seen delivering a high cross-check to Rensselaer’s Brock Higgs after the faceoff, and other players assemble to create a mass of bodies.
In a postgame news conference, Bennett said he was embarrassed about his actions and apologized. He declined to comment when asked what led to the scuffle.
Referees handed out 125 minutes worth of penalties after the game, including game disqualifications to Union’s Bodie and Eli Lichtenwald and Rensselaer’s Mike Zalewski and Luke Curadi. Those penalties come with an automatic one-game suspension.
Saturday’s game was a nonconference meeting for the Mayor’s Cup, but ECAC Hockey is reviewing the video from multiple camera angles as well as the reports from game officials, a league spokesperson said Sunday.
Any supplemental discipline likely would be announced early this week.
Candace and I both went 3-1 Friday, which looks pretty good when you consider we both went 2-3-5 last week.
Now, though, we’ve got two more North Star College Cup games today to call. Yesterday at St. Paul, Minn.’s Xcel Energy Center, Minnesota-Duluth outlasting Minnesota State 5-4 in overtime Friday before top-ranked Minnesota bested No. 5 St. Cloud State 4-1.
In our season-long predictions contest, Candace and I are tied at 67-45-18. It appears, however, that you’ll have to check back next week to see if one of the two of us can finally break our deadlock.
Our predictions for today:
No. 5 St. Cloud State vs. Minnesota State: Candace: This matchup of former WCHA foes should be interesting. St. Cloud has been struggling of late, and Minnesota State has been improving, but the Mavericks don’t play well away from home. As such, I’ll make a league-homer pick and say that St. Cloud gets back to its winning ways. St. Cloud State 4-3 Matthew: SCSU has lost three of its last four games in regulation and lost a shootout in the other, but as for the Huskies’ 4-1 loss to Minnesota Friday, you have to chalk that up largely to the fact Gophers goaltender Adam Wilcox was wonderful (38 saves) and that Minnesota’s hot and riding an 11-game unbeaten run. Today, though, I think we’ll see the Huskies snap out of their funk ahead of what’s looking like a big series next weekend at Nebraska-Omaha. St. Cloud State 5-3
No. 1 Minnesota vs. Minnesota-Duluth: Candace: So many intriguing storylines in this first North Star College Cup title game. Start with the fact that the Bulldogs played a two-game set with the Gophers back in November and split, pasting Minnesota with a 6-2 loss, only its second all year. That result makes me think the Gophers will be on guard, especially since they did win the first game of that two-game set, and will claim the title. Minnesota 4-2 Matthew: For a tournament with no history, already I’m really drawn into the final that brings together two teams that have both won a national championship on the ice they’ll be skating on today. As Candace said, UMD did give Minnesota a thumping two months ago in Minneapolis, but for as much as I want to make the homer pick and take the Bulldogs here, I look at their defensive struggles Friday and wonder how they’ll hold up against a Minnesota team that always seems to be good for at least a few goals per game. Minnesota 4-3
Penn State sophomore forward David Glen will undergo a bone marrow donation procedure after learning he was a match through Be The Match, a national marrow donation program.
The Nittany Lions’ assistant captain participated in the Be The Match-facilitated Match4Kim Drive, which was held in support of Penn State men’s lacrosse player Drew Roper’s mother in November 2012.
Glen will begin the peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) donation process Friday, Jan. 24, when he travels to Geisinger-Bloomsburg (Pa.) Hospital.
It is not known who will receive the donation.
As a result of this selfless act, Glen will miss Penn State’s next games against Boston College (Jan. 25) and Ohio State (Jan. 31, Feb. 1).
So far this season, Glen has appeared in 18 games, contributing two goals and three assists.
Stephen Castriota has scored some big-time goals lately for Fredonia. Does his clutch play continue this weekend (photo: Dan Hickling)?
Believe it or not, but playoff pictures are starting to become less blurry as teams are jockeying for positioning in their respective conference standings.
That said, the games are decided on the ice and this weekend, there is no shortage of games to go down in Division III circles.
Here is what our group of columnists has to say about this weekend and beyond.
ECAC East – Tim Costello
It was another mediocre pick week as I finished at 3-2-0 (.600) last week. That less-than-stellar performance brings the season total to 28-11-4 (.698) for the season, which is below my target of 70 percent. The weeks in the season are dwindling down, so more pressure on the teams and subsequently, me.
Here are this week’s picks: Friday, Jan. 24
Babson @ Massachusetts-Boston
The two teams chasing the Norwich at the top of the standings play a home-and-home series this weekend. Both teams are nationally-ranked and looking to make a statement in the conference. The Beavers take the opening round and just maybe need overtime to do it. Babson 3-2.
New England College @ Castleton
The Pilgrims have quietly stayed in the top four and are playing very good hockey, as evidenced by last week’s conference player of the week Cheyne Matheson. The Spartans are still struggling with consistency in their game and the Pilgrims will take advantage of mistakes. NEC 5-3.
Southern Maine @ St. Michael’s
The Friday night game in Winooski is billed by the hosts as the second annual Alzheimer’s Awareness Game, which seeks to provide awareness and raise funds around this debilitating disease. The hosts are playing better, but wins continue to be hard to come by and the visitors eke one out here. Southern Maine 4-3. Saturday, Jan. 25
Massachusetts-Boston @ Babson
It’s the return engagement and quid pro quo, the visitors look to steal two points from the home team. Another close one between two very talented teams and this one is decided by special teams, but in regulation time. Massachusetts-Boston 3-2.
New England College @ Skidmore
The Thoroughbreds have had a rough stretch since the calendar turned to week two in 2014. Points and lots of them are needed quickly if Skidmore looks to move into the upper half of the playoff bracket. This is a game they need to win, but the Pilgrims keep their momentum going. NEC 4-3.
St. Anselm @ Castleton
The Hawks have been up and down all season, but their goaltending, especially Nick Dries, has been very consistent. Last two road games this weekend before five straight at home, so a win here at Castleton could get the Hawks jump-started to a long-term winning streak. St. Anselm 3-2.
Weekends, good or bad, can make a big difference in where your team stands on Monday morning – drop the puck!
ECAC Northeast – Nathan Fournier
Saturday, Jan. 25
Suffolk at Curry
This is a very intriguing matchup with Curry 2-1-1 in its last four games, while Suffolk has lost its last two games. Suffolk is sitting in the fifth playoff seed, one point ahead of Wentworth, who holds the final playoff seed. Curry is still in the mix for a conference playoff berth as they are two points back of Wentworth. I see Curry picking up the crucial two points in a 5-3 game.
Western New England at Johnson and Wales
Both teams currently have six points and sit in third place in the conference. If the conference tournament started today, Johnson and Wales would hold the No. 3 seed. It’s an important game for both clubs as Western New England is 1-6 on the road this season and Johnson and Wales is still trying to get into the USCHO.com Division III Men’s Poll. I will take Johnson and Wales as they have the hot hand in a 6-4 game.
Salve Regina at Nichols
In the battle of the top two teams in the conference, this is the marquee game on the schedule. Salve Regina is glad to back in conference play as it has lost the last nine games – all nonconference games – with their lone loss in ECAC Northeast coming to Wentworth. Nichols has had better luck outside ECAC Northeast and I see them overtaking first place in a 5-1 game.
Becker at Wentworth
A win for Becker would do wonders for the Hawks. They have one win on the season and a win against Wentworth would put them in a tie for sixth place with the Leopards. Wentworth earned a tie last weekend with Assumption, but still haven’t won since Dec. 10. I think they get the monkey off their back in a 3-1 game. Tuesday, Jan. 28
Salve Regina at Johnson and Wales
The two Rhode Island schools have the stage at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center in Providence for the lone ECAC Northeast game of the night. Depending how Saturday night’s games go, it could decide first place in the conference. It’s a game I believe Johnson and Wales is able to defend home ice and come away with a 4-2 contest. Wednesday, Jan. 29
Curry at Becker
This is another game that could tighten up the bottom of the standings. It’s the first of two games between them. They will meet in the final game for both clubs. I will take Becker to win their first game at home all season 3-2.
Wentworth at Suffolk
Another rivalry game between two Boston-area schools. This another game I could see Wentworth use to climb up the standings. It’s a rivalry game, so Suffolk will hang win with them and make it a game. I will go with Wentworth 4-3 in OT. Thursday, Jan. 30
Nichols at Western New England
This game will be a battle. Nichols has the proven goalie (Alex Larson), while Western New England brings the offense. That will be an interesting dynamic to watch for. I believe Larson, who has allowed 12 goals in his last two games, will steal a game on the road in a 3-2 victory.
ECAC West – Dan Hickling
Friday, Jan. 24
No. 10 Utica (10-3-3, 5-1-1) @ Nazareth (3-12-1, 0-6-1) – Utica 5, Nazareth 1
This could be considered something of a trap game for Utica, given the Golden Flyers’ penchant for playing top teams tough. And what few slip ups the Pioneers have had generally have been to upset minded lesser lights. But an upset here? Don’t count on it. Saturday, Jan. 25
Hobart (8-4-4, 2-1-3) @ Manhattanville (10-6-0, 3-3-0) – Manhattanville 4, Hobart 3
This game is the ECAC est — a league in which one good weekend, or one bad one, can make or define your season — in a nutshell. Hard fought. Evenly matched. A white-knuckle ride to the final horn. This one goes to the home team.
MASCAC – Nathan Fournier
Saturday, Jan. 25
Fitchburg State at Framingham State
Both teams have been struggling as Fitchburg State has lost its last two games, while Framingham State is 0-3-1 in its last four games. In the first game of the season between the two teams, the Falcons defeated the Rams 5-2 on Nov. 23. The Falcons move to 2-0 on the season against the Rams with a 3-1 victory.
Westfield State at Massachusetts-Dartmouth
The Westfield State Owls have been playing well in 2014. UMass-Dartmouth is still looking for consistency this season. The Owls have been putting up 4.50 goals per game where UMass-Dartmouth has been allowing 3.40 goals per game. The Corsairs played the Owls tough in their first matchup, losing 3-2 on Nov. 23. I think Westfield State wins by a bigger margin this time around in a 6-3 contest.
Worcester State at Plymouth State
The Panthers seem to have found some solid goaltending in sophomore Gordon Ceasar. He was the MASCAC goaltender of the week this past weekend. Worcester State has won its last two games against UMass-Dartmouth and Fitchburg State. This a very intriguing game between two teams who are looking to host a quarterfinal game. I have Plymouth State winning in a 4-3 game. Tuesday, Jan. 28
Franklin Pierce at Framingham State
This is the last nonconference games for the MASCAC. Framingham State will have have a great chance to get some momentum going into the final month of the season. Franklin Pierce is 1-1 this season against MASCAC teams having beaten Westfield State 3-2 and dropping a 4-2 decision to Fitchburg State. I have Framingham State winning 3-0.
Salem State at St. Anselm
This is St. Anselm’s first game against a MASCAC school. They are 4-0-0 when they leading after one period. The Salem State Vikings are 2-4-1 when trailing after one stanza. They also score a little over half a goal less in nonconference play. I think the Vikings can get it done on the road in a 3-2 game
UMass-Dartmouth at Stonehill
The Consairs have their hands full with Stonehill, who is scoring 3.59 goals per game. In their lone game against a MASCAC opponent, they lost to Plymouth State 3-2. I believe they will have better success this time around in a 7-3 win over UMass-Dartmouth. Thursday, Jan. 30
Plymouth State at Framingham State
In the first contest between these two clubs, Eric Ward had two goals in the Rams’ 4-2 victory. Last season, they lost all three games. The Rams are playing confident this season, so like the first game this season between the two teams, I expect another close game. I believe Plymouth State will pick up a big 5-3 road victory.
Fitchburg State at Salem State
Another game on the schedule where its a game that could separate the standings. Salem State has 10 points and Fitchburg State has six points. Fitchburg State can close the gap or the Vikings could make it a top tier of the three teams between Westfield State, Framingham State and themselves. With the Vikings strong home record, I have them winning 6-4.
Worcester State at Westfield State
Dalton Jay recorded a hat trick against Worcester State on Dec. 5. Frank Zuccaro and P.J. McCadden assisted on all three goals in the 6-2 win. The Owls’ offense has been strong in conference play and I expect it to continue in this contest against the Lancers. Westfield State wins it 8-5.
MIAC/WIAC – Brian Lester
As we close in on the final month of the regular season, the conference races are beginning to heat up in the MIAC and WIAC.
The standings are tight in both leagues. Gustavus Adolphus is in first place in the MIAC and four points ahead of second-place St Thomas. St. John’s is in third with 15 points.
River Falls leads the WIAC, but the teams behind the Falcons are all well within striking distance.
So without further delay, here are my picks for the weekend. MIAC
St. Thomas vs. Hamline: The Tommies will look to gain ground in the standings when they play a home-and-home with the Pipers.
St. Thomas should have the edge. It has racked up 40 goals and allowed just 24. Alex Altenbernd leads the team with six goals and eight assists. Drew Fielding owns a 1.55 goals-against average.
Hamline has managed only 25 goals and has given up 65. Kevin Novakovich leads the Pipers with five goals and six assists. It will take a tremendous effort by the Pipers to steal a win in this series. My guess is the Tommies sweep. St. Thomas 5-1 and 5-0.
Augsburg vs. Concordia (Minn.): The Auggies and Cobbers are both vying for a spot in the tournament and this series should be highly competitive.
Augsburg has scored 46 goals and allowed 38 and Ben McClellan leads the team with 10 goals and three assists. Nicholas Widing has five goals and seven assists.
Concordia has tallied 55 goals on the season and has given up 42. If the Cobbers can get going early offensively, especially if Caleb Suderman has a strong effort — he has 11 goals and nine assists — they could very well sweep this series. I’m thinking these teams will split even though Concordia is at home. Concordia 4-2; Augsburg 5-3.
St. Mary’s vs. Gustavus: The Gusties own first place at the moment and it is big for Gustavus that this series will be played on its home ice. Corey Lievermann leads Gustavus with 10 goals and seven assists, while John McClean has been tough in goal with a 2.30 goals against average.
St. Mary’s knows it needs to get at least a split to keep its playoff hopes alive and there is no question the Cardinals could do it. They have scored only 35 goals and will need to be efficient offensively while getting solid play from Christian Gaffy, who has a goals-against average of 2.76. Gustavus 4-2, St. Mary’s 4-3. WIAC
Wisconsin-River Falls vs. Wisconsin-Eau Claire: The Blugolds are riding high after five consecutive shutouts and it’s going to be tough for the Falcons to score on them.
Tyler Green has earned three of those shutouts and Jay Deo has the other two. Green and Deo have goals-against averages of 2.08 and 0.66, respectively. The Blugolds have allowed 25 goals in all while scoring 56. Joe Krause leads the offense with eight goals and eight assists.
River Falls earned a split with Wisconsin-Stevens Point last week and will be looking for one against Eau Claire. It’s going to have to find a way to sneak in a goal here or there, perhaps off a rebound, and play tenacious defense.
The Falcons have tallied 47 goals and have allowed 33. Willie Hess has struck for 10 goals and three assists while Scott Lewan has come through with 240 saves and has fashioned a goals-against average of 2.51. I can see at least one game ending in a tie. Eau Claire 3-0; River Falls 1-1.
Wisconsin-Superior vs. Wisconsin-Stevens Point: Superior has been a little up and down lately, going 2-3-2 in its last seven, but it will be up for the challenge of taking on the Pointers.
The Yellow Jackets have scored 41 goals and have allowed 43 and they will need to be tough on defense to to get the job done against Stevens Point. Goalies Drew Strandberg and Dayn Belfour have combined for 372 saves. Cody Hotchkin and Pat Dalbec have tallied 14 and 12 points, respectively, with Dalbec racking up six goals, while Hotckin has struck for five goals.
The Pointers have lost only once in their last six games and they could very well keep things rolling in the right direction this weekend.
Stevens Point has been phenomenal on offense, scoring 82 goals, and it has allowed only 26. If Brandon Jaeger is on top of his game in goal — he owns a 1.71 goals-against average — and Garrett Ladd turns in another strong effort — has scored 13 goals and dished out 13 assists — the Pointers are going to be in good shape. Stevens Point 5-2 and 4-1.
NCHA – Katie Carito
All but Lake Forest and Concordia (Wis.) are playing conference action this weekend and I’m not predicting any upsets for the eight teams who will be battling it out.
Finlandia at Adrian
Adrian (14-0-2) remains the No. 1 team in the country after forcing an overtime situation twice last weekend against St. Scholastica. The Bulldogs came out of the series with a tie and a win. Finlandia (2-13-1) earned its first conference win of the season against Northland on Saturday after a 5-4 OT loss on Friday night. Adrian 4-1, 3-1
Northland at Marian
Marian is 4-11-2 on the season and hasn’t won a game since Nov. 22. In January, the Sabres have had to go to overtime to decide a game, but haven’t been able to get the win. Northland (3-14-0) has most recently split a weekend series with Finlandia. Marian 2-1, Northland 2-1
St. Scholastica at Lawrence
Lawrence (4-12-1) is looking to snap a six-game losing streak as it hosts St. Scholastica (9-4-4). The Saints will look to get some of their momentum back (they have had to battle to overtime in their last four games) and only have one win on the second half of the season. St. Scholastica 3-1, 2-1
St. Norbert vs. Milwaukee School of Engineering
MSOE (4-12-1) is on a bit of a hot streak compared to their first-half performance. After losing the first nine games of the season, the Raiders have rallied to go 4-3-1 since Dec. 13. They most recently swept Lawrence, including a 1-0 shutout. St. Norbert (14-2-1) is tied for first in the standings with Adrian, and trampled Concordia (Wis.) 11-1 on Saturday night. St. Norbert 2-1, 2-1
NESCAC – Tim Costello
Back-to-back weekends with 2-3-0 (.400) picks certainly is diminishing my early season success. The overall season record of 19-8-2 (.690) is now below the cherished 70 percent goal, so time to break out of the deep freeze in winter doldrums and start getting a few right.
Here are the picks: Friday, Jan. 24
Williams @ Colby
The opening game of the season saw a 1-1 tie in Williamstown and both teams have shown since then that they can play high-intensity hockey. It’s another close one, but Sean Dougherty outduels Sam Parker in a NESCAC goalie classic. Williams 3-2.
Geneseo @ Hamilton
Another SUNYAC vs. NESCAC matchup this week that finds the home team facing a very tough nonconference opponent. The Continentals are game and competitive, but don’t have enough in the tank against this upstate New York opponent. Geneseo 4-1.
Amherst @ Concordia (Wis.)
The Lord Jeffs are amidst games seven and eight of ten straight on the road and this weekend takes them way west to face two NCHA opponents. Last week’s conference sweep got Amherst back to its winning ways and this one is close with an empty-netter providing the final margin for the visitors. Amherst 4-2. Saturday, Jan. 25
Trinity @ Connecticut College
While Williams may be garnering most of the attention at the top of the standings, the Bantams are showing the rest of the league that they are right near the top for a reason – they are playing good hockey. The Camels see it first-hand and suffer a hard-fought loss. Trinity 3-1.
Wesleyan @ Tufts
The Cardinals are 0-4 in conference play the last two weeks, including three tough one-goal losses. Karma doesn’t always balance things out perfectly, but the visitors will take a win by any margin against the Jumbos. Wesleyan 4-2.
Williams @ Bowdoin
The Polar Bears got thumped 5-2 back on the road in November, so the home-ice advantage is something Bowdoin hopes to leverage and stay above the .500 mark in conference play and continuing to move up in the standings. Bowdoin 3-2.
The battle to be in the playoffs and seeded well continues with just four weekends remaining – drop the puck!
SUNYAC – Dan Hickling
Friday, Jan. 24
Brockport (4-8-3, 1-4-1) @ Morrisville (4-10-2, 1-6-1) – Morrisville 4, Brockport 2
One of these two clubs is bound to make a late season charge to the SUNYAC playoffs. The guess here is that the Mustangs take the first step. Saturday, Jan. 25
Cortland (4-11-2, 3-5-1) @ Fredonia (5-8-3, 2-3-2) – One of D-III’s hottest clubs over the past few weeks, Fredonia should have the upper hand on home ice. Perhaps Stephen Castriota, (AKA Mr. Clutch) will pop in another game-winner.
Junior forward Bobby Barrett leads Lake Forest in scoring and has been an offensive force all season for the Foresters (photo: Scott Sanford).
After a 6-4 loss to Concordia (Wis.) on Jan. 7, Lake Forest’s season was looking bleak.
The team needed to snap out of a six-game losing streak.
In that stretch of losses, there was a problem on both ends of the ice. The defense wasn’t playing up to par and the offense couldn’t get the puck to the back of the net, despite outshooting their opponents in five of the six games.
“I don’t know what was going on, to be honest with you,” said Lake Forest coach Ryan McKelvie. “Defensively, we were not playing very solid during that streak. I think we were getting offensive chances, but we were not taking care of things in our own end. We were giving up way too many high-quality chances [and] I don’t think you can ever really win consistently when you do that.”
The Foresters found a way to turn their season around, first with a 2-2 tie against nonconference Gustavus Adolphus and following that hard-battled game, the team has managed to win four straight.
“I think we are starting to take care of things in our end [and] that’s helping to contribute to our success,” said McKelvie. “I definitely think we have a ways to go in that area and kind of figuring how to be good offensively while being good defensively. We are trying to figure out the proper blend there.”
Lake Forest has figured out the right combination of offense and defense to win and have found a way to climb the conference standings while perfecting their craft. A 5-3 win against Concordia (Wis.) Thursday night sealed third spot in the standings going into the weekend.
“Right now, our focus is to get better every game [and] our team has taken some strides this year,” McKelvie said. “We continue to improve our game every week and to play our best hockey every game is our main focus.”
Lake Forest will host nonconference foe Amherst in a single game this weekend before three conference series to close their season.
‘Stick It To Cancer’
This weekend, Marian, along with Agnesian HealthCare, are raising awareness and funding for cancer research during the two-game home series against Northland.
During the first intermission of Saturday’s game, breast cancer survivors in attendance will be honored at center ice. At the second intermission, the Agnesian HealthCare Foundation will be presented with a check from Marian for the funds raised through the “Stick It To Cancer” event.
There will be a series of fundraising efforts, including raffles and t-shirt sales, through both games against Northland. The Marian women’s team will be hosting St. Norbert in a two-game series and as part of the “Stick It To Cancer” event as well.
We have the second game of the Michigan-Michigan State series, the new North Star College Cup, Ohio State at Wisconsin and Penn State hosting Boston College for a single game. First, let’s see how Drew and I are doing. We’ll include last night’s game between the Spartans and Wolverines in next week’s results.
Last week
Drew: 3-1 (.750)
Paula: 3-1 (.750)
Season
Drew: 60-27-8 (.674)
Paula: 60-27-9 (.672)
This week
The Michigan-Michigan State series concludes tonight. For our thoughts on that, check out yesterday’s blog.
Ohio State at Wisconsin
Drew: The Buckeyes looked good last Friday in the outdoor game at TCF Bank Stadium, though they fell 1-0 to Minnesota, the game I cursed them in by picking them to win. Ohio State also looked good during the first part of Saturday’s game against the Gophers, until Sam Warning rattled off a natural hat trick and Minnesota eventually took the game 4-2. The Badgers have won nine of their past 10 and rolled in their last series against Michigan. Alaska-Anchorage, yes that Alaska-Anchorage, is the only team to defeat Wisconsin at Kohl Center this season.
Paula: Ohio State does play disciplined, organized hockey and the Buckeyes have some talented guys up front. In fact, the Buckeyes and Badgers are tied for fourth nationally in scoring (3.55 goals per game), and so this series may come down to defense and goaltending — and in that case, my money’s on Wisconsin’s Joel Rumpel. The last meeting between these teams was in the now-defunct Lefty McFadden Hockey Invitational in Dayton, Ohio (Oct. 13, 2007), a 5-3 decision for the Buckeyes. Friday’s game begins at 8:00 p.m. and is the Big Ten Network’s second game of the night; Saturday’s game starts at 7:00 p.m. and will be televised by Fox Sports Wisconsin. Times are local.
Paula: This new tournament features four teams from Minnesota. Games are played in St. Paul’s Xcel Center at 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. each day and the games featuring the Gophers are slated to be televised on Fox Sports North. For Minnesota coach Don Lucia’s thoughts on the tournament, check out my Big Ten column from Wednesday of this week.
Drew: Say what you want about the Big Ten conference, but in my eyes the North Star College Cup is one good thing that was a result of the conference shuffle. The tournament should have been named something else, but that’s beside the point.
What will help the tournament out in its first year as it tries to gain some footing is a top-five matchup Friday evening. No. 5 St. Cloud State will take on the No. 1 Gophers. St. Cloud will bring a 12-4-4 record to St. Paul; recently the Huskies tied and lost to Western Michigan. The tournament will be played on an NHL-sized rink, something that has hindered the Gophers in the past.
The winners of Friday’s matchup will face the winner of Minnesota State-Mankato and Minnesota-Duluth on Saturday at 7 p.m. Mankato is coming off of a home sweep of then No. 2 Ferris State last weekend and has been energized since senior Zach Lehrke returned to the team.
Paula: Once again, I respectfully disagree with my partner-in-writing. I love the name of this tournament. It has all the romance of old-time hockey, like when the NHL was divided into the Prince of Wales and Clarence Campbell Conferences, when we named things after people and places and objects rather than just “east” and “west” because we have lost our ability as a culture to grasp subtlety and hold metaphor in our heads.
But I digress.
Every one of these teams will be keen to capture this tourney’s first title and the competition should be first rate. Once again, I’m loathe to pick against the Gophers until they lose. And — like Drew — I’ll pick the whole field for this one, just because I can.
Drew’s picks: Mankato over Duluth 5-3, Minnesota over St. Cloud 4-1. Saturday; St. Cloud over Duluth 3-1, Mankato over Minnesota 3-2. Paula’s picks: Minnesota State over Duluth 4-2, Minnesota over St. Cloud 3-2; St. Cloud over Duluth 4-3, Minnesota over Minnesota State 3-2.
Boston College at Penn State
Drew: It’s David vs. Goliath, except in this instance Goliath already played David earlier in the season and won 8-2. The Nittany Lions have had close losses to Minnesota and Michigan State in the past couple weeks, but I’m not going to predict an upset.
Paula: I am with Drew on this one. I saw Penn State play hard last weekend, but I don’t think they have what it takes to upset the Eagles, either, even though BC played two games last weekend and a Tuesday contest — three wins in a row in which the Eagles outscored opponents 17-7. This is a Saturday night game that begins at 7:00 p.m.
Drew’s pick: Boston College 6-2. Paula’s pick: BC 4-1.
Yale at Brown
Bruno is 4-1-2 since December, with the sole loss being a very forgivable 3-2 stumble at 15-7-2 Clarkson. Freshman Tyler Steel has started all but one of those last seven games, taking over – at least for the time being – for senior Marco DeFilippo. The Bears haven’t allowed more than three goals in a game since before Thanksgiving, and downed Yale 4-1 in both squads’ season-openers. Yale is keeping its head above .500 in league play (4-3-3), and has been alternating strong defensive performances with not-so-strong outings. The offense has been clicking though, and this should be a very entertaining set of games. I’ll go with the home side Friday: Brown, 3-2.
Clarkson at Colgate
Two of the hottest teams in the league square off in Hamilton Friday night. The Raiders haven’t lost since Christmas, allowing barely over a goal a game in their last five (4-0-1). Clarkson is 8-2 in league play and 3-1 in its last four, winning three squeakers but bowing out 4-0 to Merrimack in the loss. The Knights boast six players with at least five goals, bolstering adequate goaltending (a team .903 save rate). Four of Clarkson’s next five games are against teams currently in the top half of the league standings (Colgate, Cornell, Union and Quinnipiac), so it’s time for Clarkson to walk the walk… I’m not sure they have earned the swagger just yet. Raiders, 3-2.
St. Lawrence at Cornell
SLU: You have been Brown Ruled. Cornell, in its own right, is 6-1-3 since mid-November. Big Red, 4-2.
Dartmouth at Rensselaer
There is no way the play can be as bad as the scores, but my word, RPI’s goals-against are horrifying of late: The Engineers surrendered six goals thrice in their last four games, giving up 20 goals in total in four straight losses. (They’ve scored seven, by the way.) Dartmouth isn’t looking much better, so it’ll be a matter of something’s-gotta-give: Will Dartmouth’s offense finally show up, or will RPI’s defense? Is there some third option that doesn’t involve an act of God? I’ll take the home side, because I just can’t imagine a Seth Appert team not bouncing back at the Field House. 4-3 Engineers.
Harvard at Union
Oy. I always look for Harvard to put it together, but it’s not March yet, so it’s not happening tonight at Messa. Oh, Union is on a 14-2-2 run, so that’s nice. I see that getting better. 3-1 Dutchmen.
Saturday, January 25
Clarkson at Cornell 7:00
Better late than never: I’m benefiting here by knowing Friday’s results, but because of them, I think Cornell is looking shaky after a 4-4 draw with SLU, while Clarkson played well at streaking Colgate despite the unfavorable result (a 3-2 loss). Knights on the road: 3-2.
St. Lawrence at Colgate 7:00
Brown Rule. Raiders run on… 4-1 Colgate.
Brown at Yale 7:00
Home team evens the weekend: Yale is 4-1-2 at Ingalls, and Saturday will make it win no. 5. 5-2 Bulldogs.
Union vs. Rensselaer 7:30 Mayor’s Cup – Times Union Center (Albany, NY)
It’s a rivalry, so throw the records out… but not really, because Union hasn’t lost to RPI since the fall of 2010 (9-0). Yeah, it’s getting ugly… 4-1 Dutchmen.
So much for making a comeback. Arlan put more distance between me and him last weekend. It could be all over but for the fat lady to sing. Last weekend, I went 15-6-5 to move to 187-65-31 on the year, while Arlan went 17-4-5 to move to 196-56-31 on the year.
I’m still trying to catch him though.
Friday, Jan. 24
Rensselaer at Dartmouth Candace: I have to make up ground somehow, and Dartmouth is at home. Dartmouth 2-1 Arlan: The Engineers were one of two teams Dartmouth beat in the first half, and it completed the sweep of Colgate. Rensselaer 2-1
Union at Harvard Candace: This might be a closer game than expected, but the favorite should prevail. Harvard 3-1 Arlan: The answer seems obvious, so I’m not going to make this harder than it has to be. Harvard 4-0
Cornell at St. Lawrence Candace: St. Lawrence is not back to form unfortunately. Cornell 4-1 Arlan: The Saints are trying but getting little to show for their efforts. Cornell 5-2
Friday-Saturday, Jan. 24-25
Robert Morris at Mercyhurst Candace: Home ice should be good for at least one win for the Lakers. Mercyhurst 3-2, Robert Morris 3-2 Arlan: Many banners hang in Erie because the Lakers always get the better of these series; maybe not this time. Mercyhurst 2-1, Robert Morris 3-2
Brown home-and-home with Yale Candace: Mandi Schwartz’s brother Jaden, who plays for the St. Louis Blues, will be at Friday’s celebration of his sister with all of his teammates. Yale may come out flat after that emotional game, but I think the Bulldogs sweep. Yale 3-1, 3-2 Arlan: The biggest risk for the Bulldogs is a letdown after Friday’s White Out for Mandi. Yale 4-0, 2-1
Maine at Northeastern Candace: No, Candace can’t pick Maine, especially since Northeastern is looking dangerous again. Northeastern 3-1, 3-2 Arlan: The Black Bears are confident after a league win; can the Huskies’ thin roster hold up? Would Candace pick Maine? Northeastern 4-2, 2-1
Boston University at Vermont Candace: As Arlan says, a split is entirely possible with the Terriers reeling, but I have no idea which night is which, so I’ll pick the Terriers. Boston University 2-1, 2-1 Arlan: Something is clearly wrong with the Terriers, but in what order might a split play out? Boston University 3-2, 2-0
Minnesota State at Ohio State Candace: OSU posted impressive back-to-back results against Minnesota and Minnesota-Duluth. I think the Buckeyes keep it going. Ohio State 3-2, 4-1 Arlan: With just three goals in their last five games, the puck just isn’t going in for the Mavericks right now. Ohio State 2-1, 3-1
St. Cloud State at Minnesota Candace: To answer Arlan’s poser, no, the Huskies can’t. Minnesota 4-1, 5-1 Arlan: Ohio State ended a long losing skid to Minnesota this month; can the Huskies do the same? Minnesota 4-1, 3-1
Bemidji State at North Dakota Candace: North Dakota really needs these games ahead of next weekend’s series with Minnesota. I’m sure they’ll be close though. North Dakota 3-1, 3-2 Arlan: I know that BSU will battle hard, but UND is just as desperate for points and more talented. North Dakota 4-1, 1-0
Saturday, Jan. 25
Cornell at Clarkson Candace: Again, I need to gain ground on Arlan somehow. This will probably go to OT, and could be a preview of the ECAC Championship. Cornell 3-2 Arlan: Shannon Desrosiers said that home ice means a lot in this series, so I’ll go with that. Clarkson 2-1
Union at Dartmouth Candace: Union really let me down last weekend against RPI in the picks race. Dartmouth 3-2 Arlan: The Big Green are making progress with three wins after Christmas, only two before then. Dartmouth 3-1
Rensselaer at Harvard Candace: Harvard will be extra on guard against losing for a second time to RPI. Harvard 3-1 Arlan: I don’t expect lightning to strike twice in the same place and the same season. Harvard 2-0
Saturday-Sunday, Jan. 25-26
New Hampshire home-and-home with Boston College Candace: BC already had its one loss to New Hampshire. After pulling away more from BU last weekend, the Eagles won’t want to give ground back. Boston College 4-1, 4-2 Arlan: The Eagles may not be as superior as first thought, but they’re still the favorite versus any Hockey East opponent. Boston College 3-2, 4-1
Providence home-and-home with Connecticut Candace: Providence still hasn’t established consistency, so I’ll go with home ice in each. Connecticut 2-1, Providence 3-2 Arlan: The only saving grace is that series like this have to be just as unfathomable for Candace. Providence 5-4, 3-1
Minnesota-Duluth at Wisconsin Candace: Duluth’s offense struggles, which is Bad News Bears against the best goaltending duo in the country. Wisconsin 3-1, 2-1 Arlan: The Bulldogs always seem to get a win from UW at some point, but this season, they’re still looking. Wisconsin 2-1, 3-0
Cornell defenseman Joakim Ryan is one of the ECAC Hockey players to watch in the race for a Hobey Baker Award finalist spot (photo: Shelley M. Szwast).
Hello again, and welcome back to another week of the Hobey Watch!
Last week, I started by looking at a few story lines that I had my eye on at the close of last season: the effects of conference realignment on Hobey Baker Award candidates (and Hobey finalist candidates), the play of two of last season’s most promising goaltenders (Jon Gillies of Providence and Connor Hellebuyck of Massachusetts-Lowell), and the red-hot play of Boston College forward Johnny Gaudreau and whether he might be the first of the Jerry York-era small Eagles forwards to capture college hockey’s top individual honor. Among the responses was one that asked if I’ve ever heard of ECAC Hockey. Well then.
Yes, I’ve heard of the conference, as it was my introduction to this wonderful world of college hockey back in my undergraduate days at Dartmouth. Moreover, I had the chance to see two of the conference’s teams in action at Madison Square Garden a couple of weeks ago in the “Rivalry on Ice” game between Harvard and Yale. It was a great event, and having done some work with the Leverage Agency to help put things together, it was rewarding to see it unfold on the ice. And, during a pregame reception at the Refinery Hotel, I had the chance to chat briefly with the conference commissioner, Steve Hagwell.
We talked briefly about the season, the continued strong performances of Union, Quinnipiac and Yale, and of course about the Hobey race and my commentary on it. We didn’t talk much about this year’s candidates, but we did discuss some of the top Hobey contenders to come out of the conference in recent years. And looking at the conference’s top Hobey candidates this year, I think they face the same problem that past ECAC Hockey stars have faced in recent years … and they’re not the only ones.
Take, for example, Greg Carey, the senior forward for St. Lawrence. Carey was the No. 4 scorer in the country last season, averaging 1.34 points per game on totals of 28 goals and 23 assists in 38 games, and he’s come back even stronger in his senior campaign. Through last weekend’s games, Carey was second in the country in points per game at 1.82, with 14 goals and 26 assists in 22 games. That’s the good news.
The bad news is that his Saints are struggling mightily this season, sitting in 11th place at 2-6-2. While it’s not impossible for a player to win the Hobey on a less-than-successful team, it’s rare. The only two such Hobey winners who come to mind, in fact, are Chris Marinucci at Minnesota-Duluth in 1994 (team record: 14-21-3) and Matt Carle at Denver in 2006 (which went 21-15-3 but missed the NCAA tournament).
This was the main thing that Austin Smith was missing two years ago, when he had 36 goals and 21 assists in 39 games on a Colgate team that went 19-17-3. While I certainly see Carey as a Hobey finalist on the strength of his individual performance this season, I don’t see him faring much better in the final voting than Smith did.
On the other hand, the most successful teams in the conference — the five projected to make the NCAA tournament as of this week’s Bracketology blog — don’t have Hobey contenders with top-flight individual stats. Quinnipiac has a pair of intriguing forwards in freshman Sam Anas and senior Kellen Jones, but neither is a top-20 scorer. While that wouldn’t preclude Jones from a finalist nod (leaving Anas aside since freshmen rarely get Hobey recognition), it’s hard to see him as someone who could claim the Hobey. That’s not a knock on Jones as a player — far from it — just a recognition of how these things generally go and where Jones fits into the picture.
Union, meanwhile, has a top-20 scorer in senior forward Daniel Carr and a highly regarded junior defenseman in Shayne Gostisbehere. Carr has been on the score sheet in all but four games for the Dutchmen this season, while Gostisbehere is a top-20 scorer among defensemen with six goals and 10 assists, coming off of a sophomore season that saw him capture All-America honors. Both have strong cases for inclusion among Hobey contenders, but neither statistical profile rises to the level of a potential Hobey winner.
Cornell may have the most intriguing Hobey candidate of the conference’s top teams in Joakim Ryan. The junior blueliner is second in the nation in defenseman scoring, and his numbers likely will carry more weight than the rearguard ahead of him, Bentley’s Steve Weinstein, due to tougher conference opposition.
I’d keep a close eye on Ryan as a potential Hobey finalist, with the potential to do more depending on his performance down the stretch. His current points-per-game average (1.06) may not rise to the level of Matt Carle’s 1.35 PPG in his Hobey-winning 2005-06 season, but it compares quite favorably with Jordan Leopold’s 1.09 PPG in 2001-02 and Mike Mottau’s 1.05 PPG in 1999-2000, especially when you consider that Cornell’s style of play — the Big Red is 30th in the nation in scoring offense and seventh in scoring defense — doesn’t have the reputation of Minnesota or BC for lending itself to big offensive numbers.
Clarkson is a team without an obvious Hobey contender. The Golden Knights do not have a top-100 scorer in terms of points per game, and a goaltending tandem of sophomore Greg Lewis and freshman Steve Perry. Bottom line: Don’t stop believin’ in the Golden Knights as a team, but don’t expect to hear much about them in the Hobey race.
Finally, there’s Yale. The Bulldogs have had a consistently strong offense under Keith Allain, but the scoring is often spread out, and that’s the case again this year. Seniors Kenny Agostino and Jesse Root lead the way with 15 and 13 points, respectively.
The team’s freshman goaltenders, Alex Lyon and Patrick Spano, have performed admirably, with Lyon doing the lion’s share of the work. But, again, this looks like a strong team without a real Hobey contender.
The real takeaway that I have from looking at all of this is that ECAC Hockey is having another impressive season, and after Yale brought home the conference’s first NCAA title in more than 20 years, we could (or at the very least, should), see the conference’s reputation start to come closer in line with reality as the “EZAC” chants fade.
The question, however, is where that leaves this year’s Hobey contenders from the conference. The bottom line is that good numbers on a strong team or great numbers on a struggling team may get you a Hobey finalist nod, but they probably won’t get you much further.
The best candidates tend to be those who combine strong individual and team performance, and on that score, I’d pay the most attention to Ryan, keep an eye on Gostisbehere, and be here next week for another edition of the Hobey Watch.
Eight of the league’s 10 teams are involved in conference play this weekend, meaning the standings are once again due to be shuffled. Meanwhile, Minnesota State participates in the North Star College Cup and Alabama-Huntsville gets a week off.
Here are the picks:
Lake Superior State at Bowling Green
Shane: These two teams are going different directions. The Lakers have dropped five in a row and six of their last seven. The Falcons are unbeaten in seven of eight, including five straight. Bowling Green’s going to keep itself close to Minnesota State and Ferris State in the race for the MacNaughton Cup. Falcons 3-2, 4-2
Matt: The Falcons are finally playing like the team that impressed me early on in the season, and living up to the potential that many thought they had. Goaltender Tommy Burke has been a big reason the Falcons are finding success. Falcons 3-1, 3-2
Ferris State at Michigan Tech
Shane: Now we’ll see what Ferris State is made of. After losing its first two WCHA games of the season, the Bulldogs will find out if they have some rebound in them. They’re fortunate that C.J. Motte wasn’t given a game DQ on Saturday and is available for tonight. Still, I see a split. Big games for the Huskies, too, and they’re at home. Huskies 3-2, Bulldogs 3-1
Matt: Every point at this point in the season is now a crucial one for the Huskies and Bulldogs, who are both in tight — but different — races. Ferris is trying to hold off Minnesota State. Tech is surprisingly trying to make the WCHA playoffs, locked in a three-way tie for seventh with LSSU and Alaska. Bulldogs 3-1, Huskies 2-1
Northern Michigan at Alaska Anchorage
Shane: The Wildcats appear to have reinvented themselves after the new year and are 3-1 in 2014. The Seawolves have that impressive home record, and are 5-1 since the calendar turned. What gives? Probably nothing. Seawolves 2-1, Wildcats 4-2
Matt: The Seawolves dominance at home (9-2-1) has left them competing for home ice in the WCHA playoffs rather than just a spot. Meanwhile, even a split allows Northern to gain ground on the rest of the league having still played the least amount of WCHA games after this weekend. That finally changes after next weekend. Seawolves 4-3, Wildcats 4-3
Bemidji State at Alaska
Shane: The Beavers got one point at home when the Nanooks visited them last month but appear to be playing better hockey now. Alaska salvaged its road trip to Michigan with a win on Saturday and return home where it’s only .500. Beavers 2-1, Nanooks 4-1
Matt: I learned last week the Nanooks have the firepower to keep up with much of the WCHA, but that offense is no good if you can’t stop anyone. The Nanooks did hold the Wildcats to 1 for 8 on the power play, which is a step in the right direction. Nanooks 4-1, Beavers 3-2
Minnesota State in North Star College Cup
Shane: The Mavericks are coming off their best weekend of the season and now play in Minnesota’s version of the Beanpot. They haven’t been great on the road, but these are important games. Mavericks 4, Minnesota Duluth 1;Minnesota 3, Mavericks 2 (Hey, can I hedge my bet and call for an MSU win Saturday if it’s St. Cloud State?)
Matt: I can’t believe I’m saying this, but should the Mavericks be concerned about a letdown in St. Paul after a heated weekend against Ferris State? Seriously, if you are a Maverick, who do you want another crack at the most right now: Minnesota Duluth, St. Cloud State, Minnesota … or the Bulldogs? Mavericks 2, Minnesota Duluth 1; Minnesota/St. Cloud State 4, Mavericks 2
Last week: Shane 5-3-2, Matt 5-3-2. Overall: Shane 98-42-20. Matt 91-49-20
I’ve closed to within three after being down by five a few weeks ago. Here’s hoping I pick up two more this week.
I’m making some risky picks, so if they don’t work out, I’ll just claim my anesthesiologist got to me early.
Dave last week: 10-3-2 Jim last week: 9-4-2 Dave’s record-to-date: 108-58-22 Jim’s record-to-date: 111-55-22
Here are this week’s picks:
Friday, Jan. 24
Massachusetts-Lowell at Providence
Dave’s pick: The only sane pick in this home-and-home series is to go with the home team each night. But when have I ever been called sane? My gut tells me that Lowell’s strong stretch run begins this weekend. And from an analytic side, I think that Lowell’s league-best defense and Providence’s league-worst power play proves to be a toxic combination for the Friars. UML 2, PC 1 (OT)
Jim’s pick: I’m actually going to go with Dave on this one. Lowell’s defense has been pretty incredible in recent weeks. The question is whether or not the offense can come alive. I think it can. UML 3, PC 1
Vermont at Boston University
Dave’s pick: BU has the league’s worst team defense ranking? (Other than UMass, no other team is even close.) Say it ain’t so. UVM 4, BU 2
Jim’s pick: This BU team is so damaged by injuries that I can’t pick for them even at home. UVM 3, BU 2
Northeastern at Notre Dame
Dave’s pick: The Huskies have been playing well and are 7-3-1 on the road, but I think Notre Dame’s second-half push begins here. The Irish are also 11-3-1 at home. ND 3, NU 2
Jim’s pick: As strong as Northeastern has been, I think home ice matters a lot in this series. ND 3, NU 2
Maine at New Hampshire
Dave’s pick: Insane pick number two: I’m going with the Black Bears despite their 0-7-2 road record. I just like the way they’ve been playing, other than that loss to BC (and I give everyone a Get-Out-Of-Jail-Free card against the Eagles). Maine 3, UNH 2 (OT)
Jim’s pick: Here is where Dave and I will disagree. UNH will be as hungry as imaginable after the way last weekend went at home against Union. Not to say that Maine won’t be hungry, but home ice is my deciding factor. UNH 3, Maine 1
Merrimack at Massachusetts
Dave’s pick: I was all set to instinctively go with a home-team split in this series, but I can’t get over UMass losing at home to a 6-15-1 AIC team while the Warriors were splitting with fourth-ranked Quinnipiac. Is this Insane Pick Number 3? Especially since it means I’ve gone with the road team on four of the five Friday night contests? MC 2, UMass 1
Jim’s pick: I think UMass can come out with a win here. If I’m wrong, I let Dave right back into this race. If I’m right, it’s lights out! UMass 3, MC 1
Saturday, Jan. 12
Vermont at Boston University
Dave’s pick: Sorry, but I’m not picking BU until the results change, especially when matched against a 12-8-3 Vermont team that has a winning road record. UVM 4, BU 3
Jim’s pick: I can’t say it any better myself. UVM 3, BU 1
Providence at Massachusetts-Lowell
Dave’s pick: I’m going with the River Hawks sweeping for the reasons mentioned above. But I wouldn’t be shocked at any outcome in this series. UML 2, PC 1
Jim’s pick: Lowell has been a better road team than a home team this season. And though I like Providence for the split, I’ve had such bad luck calling splits that I’ll go out on the limb with a River Hawks sweep. UML 3, PC 2
Northeastern at Notre Dame
Dave’s pick: Is it me or is this an exceptionally brutal week for picks? I’m going with the Irish sweep even though the Huskies have proven me wrong before. ND 3, NU 2
Jim’s pick: I’m not picking splits, right? Well, maybe not. NU 4, ND 2
Massachusetts at Merrimack
Dave’s pick: Finally, a pick I have total confidence in. Uh-oh. I know what that means. MC 3, UMass 1
Jim’s pick: Merrimack does play well at home. And another split pick. Kill me now. MC 4, UMass 1
New Hampshire at Maine
Dave’s pick: I just can’t figure out UNH. It’s utter insanity to pick Maine to sweep a team as good as the Wildcats, but this is my week of insanity. Maine 3, UNH 2
Jim’s pick: Okay, make that three split picks in a row. Honestly, my gut say tie here, but that will never be my pick. Maine 4, UNH 2
Boston College at Penn State
Dave’s pick: I’d bet the ranch on this one. BC 6, PSU 1
Jim’s pick: As Dave said, bet the ranch, particularly the way that BC’s offense is clicking right now. BC 5, PSU 1
This weekend pits some top squads facing each other, including a key matchup between No. 1 Plattsburgh and No. 10 Utica and another between No. 5 Wisconsin-River Falls and No. 6 Wisconsin-Stevens Point.
Friday, Jan.24
ECAC East
No. 4 Norwich at Massachusetts-Boston
A scarcity of scoring against opponents over .500 has been the unwanted path for the Beacons over the last three games. An 8-1 thrashing of (1-16-0) New England College could very well be a jump point to the offense, but the Cadets, with the eighth best defense in the nation, are unlikely to come out on the negative side of a classic “trap game.” Norwich 5-1
Friday-Saturday, Jan.24-25
ECAC-West
No. 3 Elmira at Oswego
Elmira has been bolstered lately by goalie Lisa Marshall, who has won her last five starts while posting three shutouts. Forward Ashley Ryan, among the top five in points per game average (1.80), has collected nine points in her last five outings. The Lakers are playing in their first home game of the second half. Elmira, 7-3-0 away from home, has fallen to Middlebury on two occasions and Norwich at the East/West Showcase. Elmira is 13-0-1 all-time against the Lakers. Elmira 5-4, Tie 3-3
Plattsburgh at Utica
A new face to the polls at No.10, Utica is coming off a weekend sweep against Chatham. The Cardinals hold a dominant 27-1-4 all-time record in matchups with the Pioneers. Leading scorer Megan Myers (13-10-23) is averaging just over six shots per game for Utica. Myers and her linemates will have to take advantage of any quality opportunities they get against the nation’s top goalie in Sydney Aveson. Plattsburgh 3-1, 2-0
MIAC
Gustavus Adolphus at St. Mary’s (home-and-home)
The Golden Gusties took an 8-2 win over the Cardinals last November in the season opener. St. Mary’s top three scorers managed to combine for just one point in a two-game series with Bethel. Coach Mike Carroll’s Gusties are entering on a 25-game win string against the Cardinals. Gustavus Adolphus 6-2, 5-1
NESCAC
Bowdoin at Middlebury
Middlebury, 4-0-2 since the break, possesses the top power play in the country (33.3 pct.), as well as the third-ranked penalty kill unit at 91.4 pct. The Panthers lost a late third-period lead against No. 9 Amherst in a 5-5 tie last week. Bowdoin’s offense has slipped to 27th in the D-III rankings. Panthers’ goalie Annabelle Jones has been unbeaten on home ice. Middlebury stays the course. Middlebury 4-2, 4-1
WIAC
Wisconsin-Stevens Point at Wisconsin-River Falls
Goalies Ashley Kuechle (Wis.-River Falls) and Janna Beilke-Skoug (Wis.-Stevens Point) take center stage once again in a crucial conference series. The Falcons are working on a 12-game unbeaten run, the most recent loss coming at the hands of the Pointers last November. Wisconsin-River Falls 4-3, Tie 4-4
Potsdam captain Mike Arnold took part in ROTC leadership exercises this past preseason and that has contributed to his on-ice leadership this year (photo: Dan Hickling).
Despite the respective and disparate records, Friday’s matchup between those two North Country rivals, No. 4 Plattsburgh (14-2-2, 7-0-2) and Potsdam (6-10-0, 1-6-0), looks to be something memorable.
If not because there is no love lost between the two schools, who have battled 101 times before, then because the game has been earmarked as “Military Appreciation Night.”
And with Northern New York dotted with such defense installations as Fort Drum (Watertown) and Plattsburgh AFB, there is a large measure of military to appreciate.
All veterans, active duty personnel, National Guard and reservists will receive free admission to renovated Maxcy Hall for the tilt and representatives from the Watertown Vet Center will be on hand to provide information on services provided to veterans.
Potsdam coach Chris Bernard feels that such special recognition is the least that can be done for those who sacrifice so much for their fellow Americans.
“We are sincerely grateful to all of those who have served our nation and its citizens,” said Bernard. “Their selfless commitment to protect our safety and our way of life must be considered the ultimate nobility. Therefore, we would like to, at minimal, let them know we value and appreciate them.”
The Bears have a recent history of participation with the military in general and the local ROTC in particular.
This preseason, Potsdam captains Mike Arnold, Nick Averinos and Ryan Miller took part in leadership exercises with ROTC commanders. The entire team also took part in the field obstacle course where they worked on problem solving together and the rappelling tower.
“Our experiences with the tremendous guys directing the ROTC and all that they have contributed to our program has been awesome,” added Bernard.
SUNYAC NOTEBOOK
No. 10 Oswego continues to be led in overall scoring by freshman Kenny Neil.
Neil, the league’s reigning rookie of the week, picked up points in all three Lakers’ constests last week and now has eight goals and 13 assists. Oswego has two key SUNYAC tilts this weekend, at Fredonia and Buffalo State.
You know, as often as Plattsburgh senior Mathieu Cadieux has been honored as the SUNYAC’s goalie of the week, they might as well just name the award after him.
Cadieux, who started his career with a season at Division I Quinnipiac, has now earned league plaudits eight times over the past three years, most recently this week. Cadieux backstopped the Cardinals to two wins last week, including a 4-2 triumph over No. 5 Norwich.
Goal-scorers who can come through in the clutch are like gold, no matter where you look in hockey.
Fredonia seems to have found one such go-to guy in the form of junior sniper Stephen Castriota.
Castriota has helped fuel the Blue Devils’ recent 3-0-1 against non-conference foes by netting two game-winning tallies and setting up another. He has now garnered points in four consecutive contests.
Castriota’s most recent clutch job came on Tuesday, when he connected on a power-play with 47 seconds remaining to give Fredonia a 5-4 win over Elmira.
The AHCA announced Thursday its eight major award winners for 2014.
All honorees will be presented their awards at the 2014 AHCA Convention in Naples, Fla., from April 30 to May 4.
JOHN MAC INNES AWARD: Established by AHCA in 1982 to honor former Michigan Tech coach, John MacInnes, this award recognizes those people “who have shown a great concern for amateur hockey and youth programs. The recipients have had high winning percentages, as well as outstanding graduating percentages among their former players. The winners of this award have helped young men grow not only as hockey players, but more importantly, as men. 2014 Recipient: Joe Marsh, St. Lawrence
JOHN “SNOOKS” KELLEY FOUNDERS AWARD: Named after the famed Boston College coach, this award honors those people in the coaching profession “who have contributed to the overall growth and development of the sport of ice hockey in the United States. 2014 Recipient: Don “Toot” Cahoon, Lehigh, Norwich, Boston University, Princeton and Massachusetts
TERRY FLANAGAN AWARD: Named in honor of the former New Hampshire player and Bowling Green assistant coach, this award honors an assistant coach’s career body of work. 2014 Recipient: Steve Mattson, Norwich
JOHN MARIUCCI AWARD: John Mariucci, the former Minnesota coach, was not only an outstanding college coach, but also a driving force behind the growth of hockey in the United States. In 1987, the AHCA created this award to honor a secondary school association coach “who best exemplifies the spirit, dedication and enthusiasm of the ‘Godfather of U.S. Hockey,’ John Mariucci.” 2014 Recipient: Joe McCabe, Don Bosco and Boston College (Mass.) High School
JIM FULLERTON AWARD: Named in honor of the former Brown coach and AHCA “spiritual leader,” this award recognizes an individual “who loves the purity of our sport. Whether a coach, administrator, trainer, official, journalist or simply a fan, the recipient exemplifies Jim Fullerton, who gave as much as he received and never stopped caring about the direction in which our game was heading.” 2014 Recipient: Tim McNeill, Notre Dame
JOE BURKE AWARD: “Presented annually to the person who has given outstanding contribution, support, and dedication to women’s ice hockey.” It is named in honor of a girls’ and women’s hockey “superfan,” Joe Burke. 2014 Recipient: Mary Ann Robinson, Wisconsin Amateur Hockey
THE WOMEN’S ICE HOCKEY FOUNDERS AWARD: This award honors a member of the hockey community or college coaching profession who has contributed to the overall growth and development of the sport of women’s ice hockey in the U.S. “through their enthusiasm, passion and selflessness.” 2014 Recipient: Margaret “Digit” Murphy, Brown
THE WOMEN’S ICE HOCKEY ASSISTANT COACH AWARD: This award recognizes the career body of work of an assistant coach in women’s hockey. 2014 Recipient: Danielle Bilodeau, Cornell
Matthew and I only picked two games differently last weekend, and both ended in ties, so we are still tied on the year. Last weekend, we both went a dismal 2-3-5 (.450) to move to 64-44-18 (.579) on the season.
Maybe this weekend, we can do better. Unfortunately for the six-pack race, we see this week’s games the same way,although perhaps we’ll pick Saturday’s differently.
Friday-Saturday, Jan. 24-25
Miami at Colorado College Candace: Miami had a lot of promise entering this season, but the RedHawks have been dreadful since November. Of course, CC hasn’t been any better. This battle of the two last-place teams in the NCHC has split written all over it. Colorado College 2-1, Miami 3-2 Matthew: I picked CC to pick up a split last weekend at home to seventh-ranked Providence and I was 20 seconds in Friday’s third period away from being right, so I’m going to (probably tempt fate and) go back to the well here. Miami only got a shootout win and a 5-1 regulation loss at home last weekend to Nebraska-Omaha, and I think they could have difficulty making the long westerly trek up into the Rockies to face a CC team better than the Tigers’ record suggests they are. Colorado College 3-2, Miami 2-1
No. 18 North Dakota at No. 16 Denver Candace: I am excited to be at these games this weekend. North Dakota and Denver always bring the best out of each other, which means a split. Both have generally done better on Friday nights, so I’ll go with the home team on the first night. Denver 3-2, North Dakota 3-2 Matthew: DU-UND is the NCHC’s best rivalry that was already established heading into the league’s inaugural season, and I’m excited to finally see these teams come together for the first time in the current campaign. That said, though, I’m taking the safe option and picking a split because, to me, that’s what’s written all over this series. Denver 3-1, North Dakota 4-2
North Star College Cup
Minnesota State vs. Minnesota-Duluth Candace: One weekend after their first weekend sweep, the Bulldogs struggled at home last weekend against Denver. The Mavericks looked really good last weekend in sweeping Ferris State, but they’ve been dismal away from home this season, and even if this is a neutral site, it’s not their friendly confines in Mankato, so I’ll be a league homer. Minnesota-Duluth 3-2 Matthew: I felt pretty good about Duluth two weeks ago after seeing what they were able to do in their sweep at Nebraska-Omaha, but UMD had some real issues last weekend dealing with Denver at home. Now, the Bulldogs are facing a very good Minnesota State team in a neutral-site game in St. Paul, Minn. that pits together two very even teams. This very easily could be the biggest toss-up game we’ve had to pick all season. Minnesota-Duluth 3-2
No. 5 St. Cloud State vs. No. 1 Minnesota Candace: Minnesota has only lost twice all year, though one of those was a pounding at the hands of Minnesota-Duluth. If this game takes place in the first half, I pick St. Cloud, but the Huskies have been having a hard time of it so far this half, and I don’t seem them reverting to their best just yet. Minneosta 3-2 Matthew: This surely has to be Friday’s national game of the night. The problem I have for St. Cloud in this game, though, is that they had serious problems at home last weekend with Western Michigan, and Minnesota’s statistically been a significantly better team than either Western or SCSU. The Golden Gophers are scoring nearly four goals per game this season and only allowing an even two per contest, and as much as I want to go with the league homer pick and take the Huskies, the Gophers should advance to the final on what isn’t home ice but will probably sound like it this weekend. Minnesota 4-2
Longtime Penn State coach and administrator Joe Battista has been named the recipient of the American Hockey Coaches Association’s Lou Lamoriello Award for 2014.
The award — named in honor of the former Providence player, coach and athletic director (and current New Jersey Devils president and general manager) — will be presented during this year’s Frozen Four in Philadelphia.
The award recognizes a former college hockey player or coach for their unique and distinguished professional career.
Battista is the first Lamoriello Award recipient who played his college hockey at the non-varsity
level, as Penn State played in the ACHA before moving its men’s and women’s programs to the NCAA Division I level in 2012.
“Joe Battista represents so much of the best of college hockey,” said AHCA executive director Joe Bertagna in a statement. “He has been a success at everything he has done since his playing days ended and he has shown incredible loyalty and devotion to his alma mater and to people who have helped him along the way. These are characteristics on display throughout our sport and never more so than in Joe.”
“I am honored and humbled to receive the Lamoriello Award,” added Battista. “Coach Lamoriello has always been willing to help others in the game, including our Penn State staff. I was excited to see him at our recent Devils-Sabres game and be able to share the news of the award with him. This award is possible only because of the great teammates, players, staff, mentors and colleagues that I have worked with over the past 35 years and the support of my wife, Heidi, and our kids.”
A 1983 Penn State graduate, Battista returned to campus in 1987, beginning a 19-year career as head coach of the Nittany Lions’ club team where he captured six ACHA national titles and won more
than 500 games.
In September 2010, Battista assumed the role as an associate athletic director for Penn State after helping facilitate the largest gift in school history – an initial $88 million donation that was instrumental in funding Pegula Ice Arena and NCAA Division I hockey – from Penn State alumnus Terry Pegula and his wife, Kim.
This past fall, Battista took a position with Pegula’s East Management Services as vice president of hockey operations where he is responsible for hockey development and strategic initiatives across the entire spectrum of Pegula’s hockey organizations.
The entire St. Louis Blues team will be attending the Yale women’s game on Friday, Jan. 24 – the “White Out For Mandi” game at Ingalls Rink against Brown to honor the late Mandi Schwartz, who played at Yale and whose brother, Jaden, plays for the Blues. Mandi passed away in 2011 after a two-year battle with cancer.
The emergence of Kevin Hayes as a power forward has made Boston College’s top line nearly unstoppable (photo: Melissa Wade).
I know, I know. My final column before undergoing open-heart surgery was supposed to be two weeks ago. I even got all maudlin at one point, yet here I am poking my ugly head back out from under a rock.
Well, as it turns out, there are a limited number of slots for my operation because the surgeon must allocate the entire day for me, and as a result, my surgery date isn’t until Feb. 6.
So I’ll be attempting to entertain and inform you this week and the next, and then Jim Connelly will be on his own while I recuperate.
The delay to Feb. 6 means that the first night of the Beanpot will be my final game for a while, but I will be back for the Worcester regional and the Frozen Four. Anything earlier than that would be speculation.
If you’re so inclined, you can follow my progress here.
Since we’ve got that out of the way, let’s move on to the good stuff.
Why Boston College is the team to beat
Not just for the regular season crown. But the Hockey East and NCAA tournaments as well (with the caveat that I haven’t seen Minnesota or a couple of the other leading national teams).
Of course, it’s not exactly going out on a limb to predict great things for a program that has won three of the last six national championships and appeared in five of the last eight title games.
But going into this season, Massachusetts-Lowell appeared to be a slight favorite after advancing to the 2013 Frozen Four and then returning almost its entire cast. And with six other Hockey East teams in the top 20, there’s plenty of competition.
That said, here’s why I feel BC has all the pieces to the puzzle.
In Johnny Gaudreau, Kevin Hayes and Bill Arnold, the Eagles feature a top line no one else can match. (The trio combined for five goals in the Eagles’ 7-2 rout of Maine.) Gaudreau and Hayes rank one-two in the country in scoring; Arnold is tied for fourth. In the 10 games since they were put together on Dec. 6, they’ve combined for 24 goals and 35 assists (59 points) with a plus-45 plus-minus rating.
Yes, that’s right: Twenty-four goals in 10 games. That’s averaging almost two-and-a-half goals per game, more than several Hockey East teams.
Anyone who’s been paying any attention at all knows about Gaudreau, almost certainly the most dynamic player in the country. And Arnold has been a double-digit goal scorer since his freshman year.
It’s the emergence of Hayes that has made the line nearly unstoppable. At times last weekend, he appeared to be a man among boys. At 6-foot-4, he offers a Zdeno Chara-like wingspan advantage over opponents while possessing skill uncommon to a man his size. He’s playing with a consistent intensity that wasn’t always there in his first three years. With 17 goals this season, he has tied his previous three-year total.
“I’m playing more of a power forward type of game, and I’m also playing with two of the best guys in the country,” Hayes said after recording a hat trick last Saturday. “[Gaudreau] is the best offensive guy and Bill Arnold is the best two-way player in the country, easily. Pretty much anyone can play with those guys.”
After BC coach Jerry York offered his assent, Hayes added, “I think Coach could score some goals with them.”
(Now there’s a shot into the upper right corner!)
Gaudreau added his praise: “He’s extremely skilled. He puts the puck right on your tape when you’re not expecting it. He’s a huge power forward down low.
“He’s had a breakout season this year, and it’s really good to see how well he’s doing. He’s a great guy off the ice, a great teammate, a great player so it’s great to see how successful he’s become.”
At the same time that York put the Gaudreau-Hayes-Arnold line together, he also combined freshmen Adam Gilmour and Chris Calnan with sophomore Brendan Silk on a lower line. Gilmour scored two goals and added an assist last Friday night, bringing the unit’s total to five goals over their nine games together. Gilmour added a power-play goal in Tuesday’s win over Merrimack.
Not bad for a third or fourth line that also includes 6-2 or 6-3 size all around.
“We’re all big-body guys,” Gilmour said after his two-goal night. “Chris and Brendan are great wingers. They fly down [the ice], they hit, they forecheck really well.
“Games when the [offensive] bounces don’t go that well, we’re looked to just be a good line on the ice, make sure that we’re responsible defensively, contribute offensively when we can, work hard and hopefully make some plays because of it.”
With two other freshmen, Ryan Fitzgerald and Austin Cangelosi, fitting in perfectly alongside Patrick Brown on the second line, scoring 21 and 18 points, respectively, York has the kind of depth he needs to keep the Big Line together.
“When we decided to put [Gaudreau, Hayes and Arnold] together, I had to feel comfortable that the other lines could create some offense and play solid defense,” York said. “Early in the season, I wasn’t sure of that.
“We’ve broken in four freshman forwards. Their development let me put the three big kids together.
“[Gaudreau, Hayes and Arnold] have a chance to be really one of the top lines at BC in decades.”
The end result is the nation’s No. 1 offense with no team even close. The Eagles are averaging 4.54 goals per game. At No. 2, Minnesota averages 3.82.
The Eagles have broken in three freshman defensemen — Steve Santini, Scott Savage and Ian McCoshen — and all three have progressed.
Brian Billett had some shaky moments in goal on Friday night, but Thatcher Demko looked good one night later. He wasn’t tested to a great extent, but he looked strong overall and was stunning in a two-on-none robbery.
After missing time in the first half to injury and the World Junior Championship, Demko could emerge to be a bigger factor down the stretch.
Goaltending and defense will be the keys to watch since the offense and special teams are difference makers. BC’s penalty kill (90.4 percent) leads the country, and its power play (20.4 percent) is no weakling.
Put it all together and the rest of Hockey East (and the country) has its work cut out for it.
Merrimack is last in Hockey East in scoring but has seen some positive developments from its power play (photo: Melissa Wade).
A hot team in last place?
What team is in last place, but as of last weekend had suffered only two losses in its last seven games, taking three of four points from Boston University, tying No. 7 Providence and splitting with both No. 13 Clarkson and No. 4 Quinnipiac?
The answer: Merrimack.
“When we’re healthy and we’re playing a certain way, I think we can beat anyone,” Merrimack coach Mark Dennehy said prior to Tuesday night’s 4-1 loss to BC.
The Warriors also have a slight advantage in that six of their remaining 11 games will be played at home, where they’ve historically been a tough opponent.
That said, Dennehy was none too happy with some of his team after Friday night’s loss at Quinnipiac, saying that some of his players were “satisfied just to play Division I hockey” and that when Quinnipiac turned it on, “we had some guys that just wilted.”
Tough love, Dennehy-style.
“We’re in our third stage of development here,” Dennehy said. “Our first one when we got here was trying to get better player by player. Then we got to the point where we were an elite-level team, and we could play it any way you want to play it. We did pretty well with the likes of Stephane Da Costa, Joe Cannata, Karl Stollery, Chris Barton and on and on.
“We got a little bit away from the blue-collar mentality because we were a little more skilled. But we’ve had a tough time getting back to that blue-collar mold. We’ve battled with this group for the last 18 months just trying to get them to play as hard as they need to play. We do it at times but then get away from it.
“I was very happy after the BU weekend that we had started to learn and really embrace that identity. It was with us for a while and then disappeared during the second period of the first Quinnipiac game. But I think Saturday’s win was probably the most complete game that we played all year long. We had all 20 guys for the most part, and we played hard for the full 60.
“[But] it took me having to jump up and down and sing and dance to get these guys to play that way. It’s got to come from within, and that’s really where we’re trying to go.”
Merrimack still ranks last in the league in scoring, averaging exactly two goals per game. But the Warriors have elevated their overall power-play percentage to 15.2 percent, going 6-of-22 (27.2 percent) since the holiday break.
“Goal scoring really starts and ends with the power play,” Dennehy said. “Look at teams like ours in the league and look at their power-play production. They may not score a lot of goals, but they’re very productive on the power play. In the second half, our power play has been really good. There’s only one game that we haven’t scored a power-play goal.
“When you score, than all of a sudden you’re leading. For a team like ours, we’re even more dangerous once we have the lead. As long as we play the way we need to play, it lends itself to more opportunities because teams have to extend themselves a little bit.”
At the other end, Rasmus Tirronen (2.16 GAA, .920 save percentage) has seized control of the starting job and been a difference-maker.
“He’s played really well of late,” Dennehy said. “We think goaltending can be a strength of ours; we also think goaltending needs to be a strength of ours.
“You look around at the best teams in the league. Their most valuable player is their goaltender. You want to start with Providence [Jon Gillies]; you want to talk about Lowell [Connor Hellebuyck]; you can even argue Northeastern despite all the goals they score. They were outshot 48-19 last weekend and won because Clay Witt put on a show.
“I know one team in our league averages about 4 or 5 goals a game — [Boston College] — but there aren’t too many teams doing that. You need your goalie to be one of the best players on the ice. Over the last six or seven games, ours has.”
Looking forward, Dennehy is focusing on health and continued improvement.
“You need to keep getting better,” he said. “The teams that go the farthest at the end of the year play their best hockey at the end.
“I know some of our fans hate for me to say it, but with the current playoff format being what it is, you can win three games at the end of the year and make your year.
“One of our goals — to make the playoffs — was eliminated before the season starts. So we just want to make sure that we’re healthy and we’re working toward [those three games].”
A video review question
A loyal reader, Tom Walsh, wrote to ask about a play in the Lowell-Boston University game last Saturday. In the second period, Lowell’s Christian Folin hit Ahti Oksanen, causing an injury. There was no penalty call on the ice. During the injury stoppage, the referee stepped into the video booth to review the play, and then called a major kneeing penalty on Folin.
Walsh asked how that could have happened since he didn’t think penalty calls were subject to video review.
As it turns out, my partner in column-writing crime, Jim Connelly, was at the game. In the postgame news conference, Lowell coach Norm Bazin relayed the explanation he was given by the referee.
The referees weren’t reviewing the penalty, they were reviewing which player was guilty of the kneeing infraction. That is allowable under NCAA Rule 95 (Video Review).
When the foul occurred, neither referee put his hand up and the whistle was to attend to an injured player. However, it is possible that a linesman advised of the penalty but told the referees that he didn’t know the identity of the player. Thus, it would be reviewable to find out which player should be penalized.
Interesting question, Tom.
And finally, not that it has anything to do with anything, but …
Bad news first.
Laptop problems prevented me from getting the electronic version of “Cracking the Ice” online. I hope to correct that in the next week or two.
The good news is that Pentucket Publishing released my latest novel, “Body Check,” a hockey romance, just before the holidays and it’s proving to be a very popular item indeed. Published under the name D.H. Hendrickson, this novel is definitely R-rated for the spicy you-know-what scenes. Here’s a description.
Sportswriter Olivia Turnbull covers the Blades, Boston’s professional hockey team. She’d never break the taboo against dating one of the players. The temptation never even crosses her mind.
Until, that is, the Blades trade for Chad Finnegan. She and Chad enjoyed a torrid love affair during their college days and when he arrives, one look dooms them both.
Their love breaks all the rules, but the forbidden fruit tastes too sweet until they learn that it could cost them everything.
Body Check provides an insider’s view of newspapers, sports writing, and hockey, but most of all, it tells a captivating tale of star-crossed lovers.
On the season:
Dan: 110-49-17 (.673)
Chris: 109-50-17 (.668)
This Week’s Picks
Thursday, Jan. 23 and Saturday, Jan. 25: Mercyhurst vs. Canisius
Dan: This is one of those series where you throw records out the window. Mercyhurst is 11-1-3 in league play but is coming off two ties against Connecticut. Canisius lost and tied Bentley in games where they had leads they couldn’t hold. Both have very high ceilings – Canisius beat Mercyhurst last year to advance to the NCAA Tournament. But I can’t help but think Mercyhurst is going to bounce back this weekend and be all kinds of geared up for Canisius. I think they take three points, but since I can’t pick ties, I’ll go with a Laker sweep. Chris: The teams meet for the 76th and 77th time in this rivalry that dates back to 1987. Canisius won the biggest game in the series history: 7-2 in the AHA title game last season. The Golden Griffins are also the only team that has beaten the Lakers in league play this season. Still, I’m going with the Lakers to sweep.
Friday, Jan. 24 and Saturday, Jan. 25 Connecticut vs American International Dan: As I mentioned in this week’s column, I have no idea what to make of AIC anymore. They’re averaging 40 shots allowed per game, yet they’re in a very good position as they get set for a stretch run against eastern teams. I’ve never felt good about picking against them, but the stats against them are way too glaring at times. UConn sweeps Chris: AIC has showed it’s capable of knocking off anyone in the conference, but I think the Huskies are playing the kind of hockey right now that avoids upsets. UConn sweeps.
Rochester Institute of Technology vs. Niagara Dan: Contrary to past years when RIT had one stalwart goalie they could rely on, they’re running into a case of riding the hot hand in net this year. Jordan Ruby is heating up, so I think they can ride him clear to their first victory ever at Niagara. They return home on Saturday, where they won’t leave until the playoffs are in the process of being decided. RIT sweeps. Chris: Past performance isn’t an indicator of future results and all that. Except when it is. It stops being a coincidence when eight of the last 11 games between these two teams has gone to overtime. RIT has only been on the winning end of one of those contests, and has never won against Niagara at Dwyer Arena, which is where Friday’s nationally televised game on CBS Sports Network, will take place. Saturday the action shifts to Ritter Arena, where RIT will play its next seven games. Since I can’t pick ties, I’m going with the home team in each game. Niagara wins Friday; RIT wins Saturday.
Air Force at Robert Morris Dan: Air Force hasn’t lost since their third period/overtime collapse against AIC. But then again, their five games were their return match with AIC, two against Army, and two against Sacred Heart and goalie Chris Truehl hasn’t been fully tested by a top-to-bottom offense. RMU is also pistol hot, but with the exception of their UConn split, it’s come at the expense of AIC and Sacred Heart as well. Translation: this can go either way. Air Force wins on Friday; Robert Morris on Saturday Chris: Both teams come into this series playing well: Air Force has won five in a row, and RMU is 4-1-1 in its last six. In November, the Falcons built a 4-1 lead and then held on for a 4-3 win on home ice. This time the home advantage is with the Colonials, but I think Air Force wins a pair of close games. Air Force sweeps.
Saturday, Jan. 25 Bentley at Holy Cross Dan: Bentley clinched its first series win since 2009 when they beat Holy Cross at Fenway Park. In the dog days of the season, the Falcons are finding ways to not lose points, while Holy Cross cured its major offensive issues with a sweep of Niagara last week. In both games this year, Bentley came from behind to beat the ‘Saders. Make no mistake – this is a rivalry. Bentley wins a close, tough, emotional game. Chris: This was supposed to be a home-and-home weekend series, but Friday’s game was moved up for Frozen Fenway and played on Dec. 28. This is the final regular season meeting between the schools with the Falcons winning the two previous games by identical 3-2 scores. I like Bentley to stay hot and win another close game. Bentley wins.
In 2004, for its 50th anniversary edition, Sports Illustrated listed the top sports rivalries by state. The ongoing, on-ice duel between the Spartans and the Wolverines topped the list for Michigan, surprising no one familiar with the storied history between the schools.
Michigan State’s Munn Ice Arena and Michigan’s Yost are just about 64 miles apart — but the distance between these schools may seem insurmountable when it comes to sports rivalries. They can’t even agree on the number of times their respective teams have met on the ice. According to Michigan State, the teams have played 296 times; according to Michigan, it’s 290.
Here are some notes about the series.
• Michigan leads this series 145-126-19 … if you believe what they say in Ann Arbor.
• Tonight’s game in Joe Louis Arena is the 50th meeting between the teams at JLA. The series in this venue dates back to Dec. 28, 1979. The Wolverines lead the series at The Joe 26-18-5.
• Michigan is 4-1-0 in its last five games against Michigan State in Joe Louis Arena.
• The Spartans last beat the Wolverines in JLA Jan. 29, 2011, a 2-1 game.
• In the CCHA, Michigan and Michigan State had the winningest programs in conference history. The Spartans had 586 wins with a .661 win percentage while the Wolverines had 558 wins and a .630 win percentage.
• The Wolverines are looking for their first win since they beat the Buckeyes 5-4 Dec. 2. They’ve gone 0-4-1 in the span since. You can add another loss to that if you count the game against the U.S. Developmental Team Dec. 5.
• The Wolverines have been outscored 14-7 during their current winless streak.
• The last meeting between the Wolverines and Spartans was Dec. 28, 2011, in the third-place game of the Great Lakes Invitational Tournament in Comerica Park. The Spartans won, 3-0.
• The Spartans ride a three-game undefeated streak into this weekend’s series (2-0-1), having swept Penn State last weekend and tied Ohio State Jan. 11.
• The Wolverines have the 29th-best scoring offense nationally (2.78 goals per game); the Spartans are No. 49 (2.38).
• Michigan State’s defense (2.33 goals per game) is tied with Boston College for 12th in the nation; Michigan’s is 19th (2.39).
• In net for the Wolverines, freshman Zach Nagelvoort has the 15th-best goals-against average nationally (2.06) and the eighth-best save percentage (.932).
• In net for the Spartans, sophomore Jake Hildebrand (2.21 GAA, .929 SV%) is 21st and 14th in those categories, respectively.
Picks
Drew
I’m not a “Michigan man” or a Michigan resident who formerly covered the CCHA like a blanket (Paula), but they tell me that this series is kind of a big deal.
I don’t know whether or not to declare that these games are “must wins” for Michigan because there’s still a lot of season left, and with a small six-team postseason tournament it still could be anybody’s ballgame in March. The Wolverines are coming off getting swept by Wisconsin and an 0-2 performance at the Great Lakes Invitational. Michigan State has recently swept Penn State, lost and tied Ohio State and went 1-1 at the GLI. The Spartans’ one win at Comerica Park, as we all know, was over Michigan.
Michigan 4-1, Michigan State 2-0.
Paula
I will go so far as to say that at least one of these games is a must-win for the Wolverines (with apologies to Marv Levy). Michigan needs to regain its collective confidence if this team wants to avoid starting a new streak, one that encompasses consecutive NCAA postseasons missed. I do not know what is ailing the Wolverines. I do know, though, that there appears to be nothing ailing the Spartans, a team that plays hard, consistent hockey with a lot of confidence. Tonight’s game begins at 7:00 p.m. in Joe Louis Arena and is carried by Fox Sports Detroit; Friday’s game starts at 6:30 in Munn Ice Arena and is televised by the Big Ten Network.
I’m going for the same split Drew is, but I am not at all comfortable with it.
Michigan 3-2, Michigan State 3-2.
The rest of the weekend
Picks for the rest of the weekend will be posted Friday morning, along with how Drew and I are doing with our picks.
