The best College Hockey coverage is at CollegeHockeyNews.com http://www.collegehockeynews.com Sat, 07 Nov 2009 01:31:45 -0600 RSSCreator 1.2 http://www.collegehockeynews.com/images/design/chn2006-text-180px.gif http://www.collegehockeynews.com College Hockey News http://www.collegehockeynews.com/news/2009/11/07_rawlings.php When Chris Rawlings committed to [[Northeastern]], he thought about this game. A packed Matthews Arena and defending champions of everything Boston University on Huntington Avenue for Northeastern’s first home conference game of the season. He wanted this one for a few reasons. The ghost of Brett Thiessen still roams Matthews and the memories of a sudden end to the 2008-09 season eat at the ... Sat, 07 Nov 2009 00:00:00 CST http://www.collegehockeynews.com/news/2009/11/05_changing.php [[Northern Michigan]] goaltender Brian Stewart is the returning two-year starter with pre-season accolades. But six games into the season, sophomore Reid Ellingson has played nearly as many minutes with better stats. It's a potentially troublesome situation for a team which, again, has had high hopes entering the season -- something it's had the last few seasons only to stumble terribly early on. Nevertheless ... Thu, 05 Nov 2009 00:00:00 CST http://www.collegehockeynews.com/news/2009/11/05_gophers.php For the second time this week, Minnesota has lost another key component, this time, perhaps for the whole season. Senior right wing Jay Barriball suffered a fluke knee injury in practice Tuesday, one that appears to need season-ending surgery, according to a preliminary MRI. More tests will be taken today, and Barriball could have surgery as soon as Friday. Last weekend, freshman defenseman Nick ... Thu, 05 Nov 2009 00:00:00 CST http://www.collegehockeynews.com/news/2009/11/04_teamof.php The last two seasons, [[Wisconsin]]'s NCAA chances have been hurt by a sub-par non-league record. The Badgers were 2-3-1 last season, not to mention the 0-6-1 start overall. So, though it went unspoken to the team directly, coach Mike Eaves was well aware the importance of last weekend's games in Madison against New Hampshire. "Very much," Eaves said. "It definitely bit us in the fanny ... Wed, 04 Nov 2009 00:00:00 CST http://www.collegehockeynews.com/news/2009/11/01_leddyto.php Minnesota freshman defenseman Nick Leddy is expected to miss the next six weeks after breaking his jaw in Friday's 5-1 win over Alaska-Anchorage at Mariucci Arena. Leddy was injured when he was hit while taking a shot in the first period of Friday's win over Alaska Anchorage. The 5-foot-11 Leddy, a native of Eden Prairie, Minn., has been without a point the first five games of the season, as the ... Sun, 01 Nov 2009 00:00:00 CDT http://www.collegehockeynews.com/news/2009/10/31_oddcontroversy.php The CCHA game between [[Nebraska-Omaha]] and [[Bowling Green]], the league opener for both teams, theoretically ended Friday night -- but wasn't completely decided until Saturday afternoon. Bowling Green appeared to get its first win of the season, 4-3 in a shootout. The Falcons' Jordan Samuels-Thomas, who also scored in regulation, scored the lone goal in the shootout. But Samuels-Thomas was supposed ... Sat, 31 Oct 2009 00:00:00 CDT http://www.collegehockeynews.com/news/2009/10/30_cheverie.php Denver goaltender Marc Cheverie was taken off the ice on a stretcher, and went to the hospital, after suffering a deep gash in his left calf during Friday night's game against Minnesota State at Magness Arena. The score was 2-2 early in the third period when Ben Youds made a pass from the right-wing boards to Justin Jokinen, who was cutting towards the net. As Jokinen went to the net, he got twisted ... Fri, 30 Oct 2009 00:00:00 CDT http://www.collegehockeynews.com/news/2009/10/29_fromcamp.php Forgive Greg Burke if he's a bit more familiar with the University of [[New Hampshire]] campus, specifically the Whitemore Center Arena, than the rest of his freshman teammates. The 6-foot-3, 205-pound forward has been running around the campus since he was 8 years old, and much less sizeable. As a local youth from nearby Lee, N.H., Burke attended the [[Dick Umile]] Hockey School in Durham, and, years ... Thu, 29 Oct 2009 00:00:00 CDT http://www.collegehockeynews.com/news/2009/10/29_thepower.php Coming into the 2009-10 season, goaltending was one of the many questions facing Quinnipiac coach [[Rand Pecknold]]. That's been a theme in recent years, since goaltending hasn’t been one of the team's strengths. When Bud Fisher burst onto the scene in 2005-06, it looked as if Pecknold had found a goalie he could depend on. In Fisher’s first two years at [[Quinnipiac]], he started 73 games ... Thu, 29 Oct 2009 00:00:00 CDT http://www.collegehockeynews.com/news/2009/10/28_teamof.php Marc Cheverie wasn’t very good against Minnesota Nov. 22, 2008, in Denver. He allowed five goals in just more than 52 minutes, made 17 saves and was handed his third straight loss. But oh, how things have changed since that lonely November night for the Pioneers’ netminder. “I remember that first game, I was embarrassed,” Cheverie said. “I didn’t play well and ... Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 CDT http://www.collegehockeynews.com/news/2009/10/28_busbonino.php [[Boston University]] center Nick Bonino will miss at least 3-4 weeks after dislocating his right shoulder in the first period of Saturday night’s 3-2 win over Michigan. Losing Bonino shorthands the Terriers who have struggled with injury throughout the early season. Goaltender Grant Rollheiser sprained his ankle in the preseason, and reserve defenseman Ryan Ruikka will miss the entire season ... Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 CDT http://www.collegehockeynews.com/news/2009/10/28_wisconsin.php [[Wisconsin]] will have one freshman out this weekend, but one new one in. Forward Craig Smith, a Madison native, will be out for both non-conference games against New Hampshire at home. Smith was called for checking from behind and given a game disqualification in last Saturday's game against Minnesota State. That carries an automatic one-game suspension. Wisconsin's athletic department decided to ... Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 CDT http://www.collegehockeynews.com/news/2009/10/27_ecacpreview.php Brown Head Coach: Brendan Whittet 2008-09 record: 5-23-5 (3-15-4 ECAC) Key Returnees: Sean McMonagle F Sr,. Jordan Pietrus F Sr,. Dan Rosen G Sr,.Devin Timberlake F Sr,. Aaron Volpatti F Sr,. Key Losses: Matt Vokes, Mike Stuart, Eric Slais, Matt Palmer, Ryan Garbutt It has been a rough stretch for Brown the past five years, as the program has not seen much success since the 2004 season. In the ... Tue, 27 Oct 2009 00:00:00 CDT http://www.collegehockeynews.com/news/2009/10/26_injuries.php Senior Andreas Vlassopolous, who has battled years of injuries, will undergo season-ending surgery on his right knee soon, according to the Colorado Springs Gazette. Vlassopolous has missed the past four games with pain in his right knee. He's had recurring issues with the knee since his freshman year. “I’d thought about it for awhile,” he told the paper. “It’s hurt for ... Mon, 26 Oct 2009 00:00:00 CDT http://www.collegehockeynews.com/news/2009/10/24_michigan.php They just couldn’t finish. In the first period, Michigan couldn’t finish in the offensive end. In the second, the Wolverines couldn’t finish in the defensive end. And in the third period, they just couldn’t finish the comeback. After Michigan tied the score, 2-2, when Matt Rust lifted a puck over Kieran Millan’s shoulder with 5 minutes, 30 seconds left in regulation ... Sat, 24 Oct 2009 00:00:00 CDT http://www.collegehockeynews.com/news/2009/10/21_teamof.php Whether it be because of an enormous chip on their shoulder, or the inevitable upward swing of a team that's spent two years in single-digit wins and is due to break out -- Alabama-Huntsville, no matter how you slice it, is off to a good start. After winning a combined 11 games in Danton Cole's first two seasons on the job -- one year removed from UAH taking Notre Dame to double overtime in the NCAA ... Wed, 21 Oct 2009 00:00:00 CDT http://www.collegehockeynews.com/news/2009/10/21_notredame.php The first 35 minutes passed and the only decision made was that neither team deserved the win. Notre Dame potted a pair of goals within nine seconds of each other late in the second period to cinch the victory. Still, it seemed like Boston University miscues had more to do with the goals than Fighting Irish precision. The shots were executed well – Billy Mayday picked the corner over Kieran ... Wed, 21 Oct 2009 00:00:00 CDT http://www.collegehockeynews.com/news/2009/10/21_atlantic.php Air Force Head Coach: Frank Serratore 2008-09 record: 28-11-2 (20-6-1, 1st AH) Key Returnees: Derrick Burnett F So., Matt Fairchild F Sr., Josh Hajner F Sr., Jacques Lamoureux F Sr., Tim Kirby D So., Andrew Volkening Sr. Key Losses: Greg Flynn, Josh Frider, Brent Olson, Michael Mayra, Mike Phillipich Still watching the puck fly through the net? Did it rip its way through or just somewhere stretch ... Wed, 21 Oct 2009 00:00:00 CDT http://www.collegehockeynews.com/news/2009/10/20_hockey.php Early results indicate things may be more up for grabs than one would think. Boston College Head Coach: Jerry York 2008-09 record: 18-14-5 (11-11-5 Hockey East); Sixth place in Hockey East Key Returnees: John Muse G JR., Jimmy Hayes F SO., Ben Smith F SR., Cam Atkinson F SO., Brian Gibbons F JR. Key Losses: Brock Bradford, Benn Ferriero, Andrew Orpik, Tim Kunes, Tim Filangieri. After going ... Tue, 20 Oct 2009 00:00:00 CDT http://www.collegehockeynews.com/news/2009/10/18_fiveof.php It’s not often that hockey talents come from Paris, France. And it’s not often that a player scores five goals in a game, let alone just the second game of his career. But [[Merrimack]]’s Stephane Da Costa isn’t a player that comes around all that often, either. Da Costa, a highly-touted recruit, scored five of Merrimack’s six goals in Saturday’s 6-3 win over Army ... Sun, 18 Oct 2009 00:00:00 CDT http://www.collegehockeynews.com/news/2009/10/17_oneto.php They’ve been here before. It’s October. There are seven months left in the season and [[Massachusetts]] disposed of [[Boston University]] in thrilling fashion – the Minutemen defeated the Terriers, 3-2, on a third-period goal from senior winger Will Ortiz. A last-minute, 6-on-5 stand sealed the victory for UMass. The 8,123 watching from the Mullins Center on this chilly opening ... Sat, 17 Oct 2009 00:00:00 CDT http://www.collegehockeynews.com/news/2009/10/15_wchapreview.php Capsule previews of all WCHA teams, in alphabetical order. ALASKA-ANCHORAGE SEAWOLVES Head Coach: Dave Shyiak 2008-09 record: 14-17-5 (9-14-5 WCHA); WCHA 9th Place Key Returnees: Nils Backstrom D SR., Bryce Christianson G JR., Kevin Clark F SR., Tommy Grant F JR., Kane Lafranchise D JR., Curtis ... Thu, 15 Oct 2009 00:00:00 CDT http://www.collegehockeynews.com/news/2009/10/15_chapreview.php All CHA teams have played non-league games so far. This is the last season for the conference, before it disbands. Three teams will join new conferences, while Alabama-Huntsville currently plans to continue playing as an independent. The league will continue to receive its automatic NCAA bid in its last season, despite having just four teams. Last year, that led to Bemidji State making an unprecedented ... Thu, 15 Oct 2009 00:00:00 CDT http://www.collegehockeynews.com/news/2009/10/13_teamof.php Heading into Columbus to start the season against [[Ohio State]], a top-tier CCHA team a year ago, getting two wins would be impressive enough. But doing it with a lineup that included as many as 10 freshmen, including four on defense, was extra impressive for the [[Quinnipiac]] Bobcats. The first night, Quinnipiac overcame a 2-1 third-period deficit by getting two goals in the first minute of the ... Tue, 13 Oct 2009 00:00:00 CDT http://www.collegehockeynews.com/news/2009/10/09_timeto.php Thursday's college hockey season opener between [[Rensselaer]] and [[Massachusetts]] marked the first college hockey action since Boston University's stunning national championship triumph over Miami at approximately 10:06 p.m. on April 11. And since that dramatic turn of events in the nation's capital, it's been a long six months of uncomfortably warm weather. Now, at last, the ice is back on the ... Fri, 09 Oct 2009 00:00:00 CDT http://www.collegehockeynews.com/news/2009/10/08_sacred.php Sacred Heart has named long-time Yale assistant C.J. Marottolo as its new head  coach. Marottolo takes over from Shaun Hannah, who resigned in September after 13 years behind the Pioneer bench, and becomes the fourth coach in school history. "It is an honor and privilege to be named the next head hockey coach at Sacred Heart University," said Marottolo in a press release. "Sacred ... Thu, 08 Oct 2009 00:00:00 CDT http://www.collegehockeynews.com/news/2009/10/08_fordfield.php The news had been rumored, but it became official today: Ticket sales for the 2010 Frozen Four, set for Ford Field in Detroit, are much slower than had hoped. The NCAA spun its press release every which way it could, never coming right out and saying this was the reason for today's announcement -- which focused entirely on reconfiguring the arrangement of the field in order to create a "better ... Thu, 08 Oct 2009 00:00:00 CDT http://www.collegehockeynews.com/news/2009/10/08_slower.php With ticket sales not going as briskly as was hoped or expected, the NCAA and Frozen Four organizers have changed the seating configuration for Ford Field. The change lowers the capacity from an effective 60,000-plus to approximately 36,000. The Frozen Four will be played this year, for the first time, in a football stadium venue. After selling out 10 straight years, that track record was already ... Thu, 08 Oct 2009 00:00:00 CDT http://www.collegehockeynews.com/news/2009/10/06_2009-10.php Like every year these days, a lot of great talent left college hockey, but more remains, and more comes in. This year's departures seem to have hit the goaltending particularly hard, which is not a knock on the guys who made this list, but there's not a lot of depth nationally in that department (at least relative to recent years). As usual, however, new names will surface that we weren't locked in ... Tue, 06 Oct 2009 00:00:00 CDT http://www.collegehockeynews.com/news/2009/10/01_newseason.php In Part I, we got an overview of the upcoming season, and a look at the biggest games to keep an eye on. In Part II, we look at the individuals. Instant impacts Mike Lee, G,  St. Cloud State – With the dismissal of St. Cloud State goalie Jase Weslosky official, the Huskies' hopes fall upon the shoulders of this highly-touted freshman. Those shoulders, however, are broad. Lee was the USHL ... Thu, 01 Oct 2009 00:00:00 CDT http://www.collegehockeynews.com/news/2009/10/01_whatto.php The scene was etched into the minds of college hockey fans across the nation fewer than six months ago. [[Boston University]] defenseman Colby Cohen’s slapshot from the left point, deflecting off the skate of Miami’s Kevin Roeder and fluttering over the shoulder of Red Hawk goaltender Cody Reichard in Washington D.C. It was, for the Terriers, the culmination of a season fraught with expectation ... Thu, 01 Oct 2009 00:00:00 CDT http://www.collegehockeynews.com/news/2009/09/30_defending.php Defending conference and national champion [[Boston University]] sits atop the Hockey East Preseason Coaches poll, announced Wednesday at Hockey East Media Day at the TD Garden. BU received 6 of 10 first-place votes. Massachusetts-Lowell came in second and 2008 national champion Boston College in third; the teams received two first-place votes apiece. The River Hawks received a great deal of attention ... Wed, 30 Sep 2009 00:00:00 CDT http://www.collegehockeynews.com/news/2009/09/30_michigan.php For the first time in four years, the coaches and media agree on who should hold down the No. 1 position in the CCHA’s annual preseason polls -- [[Michigan]]. In the coaches poll, the Wolverines took five of a possible 11 first-place votes, five seconds, and one third-place vote. Notre Dame received four first-place votes as well as four seconds and three thirds. Miami took third, receiving ... Wed, 30 Sep 2009 00:00:00 CDT http://www.collegehockeynews.com/news/2009/09/29_ecacgambles.php So the ECAC has moved its tournament to Atlantic City, starting in 2011. A bold move in one sense, since moving any NCAA-sanctioned event to a gambling capital is not typical. But an inevitable move in another sense, since the financial guarantee a hockey-hungry building in AC can generate, is unmatched, and the ECAC needs the money. I was a major proponent of Lake Placid, and wrote numerous articles ... Tue, 29 Sep 2009 00:00:00 CDT http://www.collegehockeynews.com/news/2009/09/29_ecacmoving.php ECAC Hockey has signed a three-year deal to move its postseason tournament championship from its hometown to Atlantic City, N.J. The first ECAC tournament there will take place in 2011, making this the last season the tournament will be at the Times Union Center in Albany, N.Y. The deal, with the Atlantic City Convention & Visitors Authority and SMG Management Group, moves the tournament to Boardwalk ... Tue, 29 Sep 2009 00:00:00 CDT http://www.collegehockeynews.com/news/2009/09/29_tickets.php NCAA Regional tournament packages will begin going on sale Thursday, Oct. 1. All regional tickets are being sold as a three-game package at each site through March 21. If any of the four sites are not sold out by March 21, tickets will be available for individual sessions at an increased price. Individuals buying tickets in the first month they go on sale will also have the opportunity to win two ... Tue, 29 Sep 2009 00:00:00 CDT http://www.collegehockeynews.com/news/2009/09/29_denver.php [[Denver]] has placed first in both the WCHA coaches and media polls, with North Dakota second and Wisconsin third. Meanwhile, sophomore forward Jordan Schroeder, the CHN Rookie of the Year last season, was named preseason Player of the Year in both polls. He shares the honor from the coaches with St. Cloud State forward Ryan Lasch. Denver took eight of 10 first place votes in the coaches’ ... Tue, 29 Sep 2009 00:00:00 CDT http://www.collegehockeynews.com/news/2009/09/28_cchato.php The CCHA has decided to change its standings points system to award three for a regulation or overtime victory. This comes as the league is set to begin its second with a shootout system. A shootout win will still be worth two points, and a shootout loss one point -- making all games worth three total standings points. The CCHA is the only NCAA Division I conference to settle regular-season games ... Mon, 28 Sep 2009 00:00:00 CDT http://www.collegehockeynews.com/news/2009/09/28_bemidji.php After winning the 2008 College Hockey America championship and a run to the NCAA Frozen Four, Bemidji State has been selected as the preseason favorite to claim the 2009-10 regular season title -- which will be the last before CHA disbands. The Beavers locked up two first-place votes, finishing atop the standings with eight points. Niagara finished in second with seven points, with Robert Morris (six ... Mon, 28 Sep 2009 00:00:00 CDT http://www.collegehockeynews.com/news/2009/09/28_yalechosen.php Defending ECAC regular-season and tournament champion Yale has been picked to finish first in both the ECAC Hockey Writers and Broadcasters Association (ECACHWBA) Preseason Poll and Coaches poll. Yale, which won the ECAC regular season for the second time in 2008-09, was picked first in the polls for the first time. It is also picked 10th in College Hockey News' preseason Top 10. Yale has an experience ... Mon, 28 Sep 2009 00:00:00 CDT http://www.collegehockeynews.com/news/2009/09/25_summer.php A lot has happened since Colby Cohen’s overtime game-winner gave [[Boston University]] the NCAA Championship in April. No college hockey games have been played, but a lot has happened off the ice to impact the start of the 2009-10 season. If you're just checking back in, here’s what you missed. The Dean is back Dean Blais and Nebraska-Omaha made the biggest splash of the summer, when ... Fri, 25 Sep 2009 00:00:00 CDT http://www.collegehockeynews.com/news/2009/09/16_chn2009-10.php It's time for CHN's pre-season Top 10 prognostication, one that, if history shows, will look a lot different at year's end. But, you never know. 1. Denver: The Pioneers' offensive game will be reminiscent of last year's NCAA Champion Boston University. Rhett Rakhshani, Tyler Ruegsegger, Joe Colborne, Anthony Maini, and Patrick Wiercioch form a returning nucleus that lose only 15 goals from last season's ... Wed, 16 Sep 2009 00:00:00 CDT http://www.collegehockeynews.com/news/2009/09/16_ncaapresident.php NCAA president Myles Brand, who first gained national notoriety by firing legendary basketball coach Bob Knight while president of Indiana University, died Wednesday of pancreatic cancer. He was 67. No successor has been named, and no timetable has been set to name one. Brand was the first former university president to be put in charge of the NCAA, being named in October 2002, two years after firing ... Wed, 16 Sep 2009 00:00:00 CDT http://www.collegehockeynews.com/news/2009/09/15_morecities.php Several recent hosts are on the list of cities planning to bid for the 2013, 2014, and 2015 Frozen Fours in a process that begins this fall with formal submissions and concludes in spring or summer 2010 with the announcement of the selected venues. HSBC Arena in Buffalo, site of the 2003 Frozen Four, was preparing a bid in 2008, when the expectation was that the NCAA would begin accepting bids for ... Tue, 15 Sep 2009 00:00:00 CDT http://www.collegehockeynews.com/news/2009/09/15_airforce.php Last year’s tournament champion, [[Air Force]], is the top pick in the Atlantic Hockey preseason poll. The Falcons collected eight first-place votes. Air Force, which made its third straight NCAA tournament appearance last March, fell to Vermont in the East Regional Final at the Bridgeport Arena, 3-2, in double overtime. The previous night the Falcons upset top-seed Michigan, 2-0 to advance ... Tue, 15 Sep 2009 00:00:00 CDT http://www.collegehockeynews.com/news/2009/09/11_bgsuthrows.php In its strongest statement yet in support of its men's hockey program, Bowling Green administration officials officially announced that the program will remain intact, and that to strengthen it, a $5 million fund-raising campaign will start immediately. As recently as March, Bowling Green faced potential extinction because of budgetary cuts, but managed to stave it off -- temporarily at first, pending ... Fri, 11 Sep 2009 00:00:00 CDT http://www.collegehockeynews.com/news/2009/09/09_hannah.php Just weeks before the start of the season, Sacred Heart coach Shaun Hannah has announced his resignation. No reason was given for the surprise move. "I will forever be grateful for the opportunity that I have had to grow both personally and professionally at Sacred Heart over the last 13 seasons, but I feel that this is the right time for me to take my career in a different direction,” ... Wed, 09 Sep 2009 00:00:00 CDT http://www.collegehockeynews.com/news/2009/09/09_canisius.php Canisius coach [[Dave Smith]] has received a contract extension that will keep him leading the program through the 2012-13 season. Smith is entering his fifth season as head coach of the Golden Griffin program. “In his four seasons at Canisius, Dave has done an outstanding job of building on the tradition of the Golden Griffin hockey program,” Canisius AD Bill Maher said. “He has ... Wed, 09 Sep 2009 00:00:00 CDT http://www.collegehockeynews.com/news/2009/09/01_guentzel.php [[Colorado College]] assistant coach Mike Guentzel, who was a finalist for the Nebraska-Omaha coaching position, has accepted the head coaching position with the Des Moines Buccaneers of the USHL. The 2009-10 season will mark the second stint in the USHL for Guentzel. He began his coaching career as an assistant with the St. Paul Vulcans (now Tri-City Storm) under current Sioux Falls head coach Kevin ... Tue, 01 Sep 2009 00:00:00 CDT http://www.collegehockeynews.com/news/2009/08/25_weslosky.php St. Cloud State goalie Jase Weslosky, who had run into academic eligibility issues at the school, has decided to transfer to Bemidji State. The move was made official as classes started at St. Cloud State. Weslosky could have chosen to stay at the school and try to become eligible for the second semester, but the senior chose to transfer instead. The move leaves Dan Dunn as the only goalie with college ... Tue, 25 Aug 2009 00:00:00 CDT