College Hockey Thread

[JShams]

:fap:
 
In related news, Brown won 5-2 tonight over a very hot Colgate team that had not lost in seven consecutive games until tonight. The Bears host a Cornell team tomorrow who have not lost in 8 straight games, their last loss dating back to November. Hoping the Bears can end another streak tomorrow. A win for the Big Red would likely seal an Ivy League title for Cornell as they are currently 5-0-1. Brown is 4-2 in Ivy games. Beating Cornell would not just put the Bears back into the fray for a potential Ivy League title, but also give them a boost toward a potential ECAC bye and an outside shot at an at-large bid to the dance.

Brendan Whittet has done a great job changing the culture of Brown hockey. The previous regime brought in some great talent, but the system didn't allow the players to develop or excel (how did a team with Ryan Garbutt, Aaron Volpatti and Harry Zolnierczyk only win 3 regular season games).

Hell I'm just happy that the Bears are over .500 as February begins and can skate with anyone in the country on any given night. Also they're not beating good teams by sitting on a lead and praying their goaltending holds the fort. They're playing aggressive, two-way hockey that is much more fun to watch than the "pray for a 2-1 win" hockey they used to play.

But, yes, tonight is a must win for any Ivy, ECAC or NCAA aspirations.

 

[Spaulding Smails]

Glad to see some good Brown hockey talk in here, it's been fun to watch the team develop over the course of the season.

 

[mabrowndog]

Somehow, someway, here we are on the verge of February and Northeastern is second in HE and t-7th in the Pairwise. Unreal.
 
Based on the way UMass and BU have played this year, plus how Maine's played on the road, I have to think anything less than 4-2 would be a disappointment.

 
Alfond has been one of college hockey's best home-ice advantages for a solid quarter-century, even in Maine's down years. But I've never seen anything quite so Jekyll-and-Hyde as this season's split of 10-1-0 at home and 0-8-2 on the road.
 
NU is annihilating Harvard 4-0 at the end of the 2nd. Harvard had a 5-minute major power play in the 1st and rolled snake-eyes. Assuming BU has no shot tonight, it ought to be Eagles-Huskies for the Beanpot next week.
 
As for the Black Bears, their last 8 regular season games (all pairs) are @ Notre Dame (this weekend), home vs Merrimack, @ NU, and home vs Providence. Tough to like their chances. Barring them making the HE Finals, their futility beyond Orono is probably going to cost them a playoff slot. As a Maine fan, I'm rooting for the Huskies to take the Beanpot, as it will only enhance the Bears' rating if they can take 1 or both from NU in a few weeks.
 
In other news, the current RPI has 5 of the top 7 and 14 of the top 21 from either HE or the ECAC. Clarkson, Maine, Yale, UVM & Colgate are all just outside the projected NCAA field. The settling-out some expected hasn't happened yet. Amazing that the other four conferences can only muster 7 teams combined.

 

[inJacobyWeTrust]

Cornell up to the 9 spot in the latest USCHO rankings.
 
Unbeaten in 8 straight, but that includes 2 awful ties against St. Lawrence and Dartmouth.  They've been frustrating to follow this year as they can compete with good teams (swept Brown and Yale, 1-1 vs Clarkson, beat UNH and Maine back to back in the Florida tourney) but seem to play down to the level of the shit teams.  Hopefully they put it together in time to make the tourney.

 

[mabrowndog]

I should have known better than to completely write off any and all possible outcomes at the Beanpot. BU has played a shitload better than I (or anyone on the planet) could have expected, and they just scored to cut the deficit to 2-1 with under 13:00 left in the 3rd. Should be a tie game, but they missed a tap-in from the right doorstep a few minutes ago with a ridiculously open net. They also hit the left post early in the period.

 

[mabrowndog]

Tremendous pressure after the Terriers pull the goalie, with some really close calls. But BC clears the zone and Johnny Gaudreau tucks it home to make it 3-1. Barring a disastrous final 24 seconds, the Eagles will survive.

 

[Laser Show]

Holidays have to be tough for Kevin Roy because he's probably forced to spend even more time with his brother Derek, who lost his chance at an Ivy League degree because his Kevin is selfish and Jerry Keefe back stabbed the Brown staff he used to work for.

Reigning Beanpot MVP and defending worst brother in college hockey champion. Kevin Roy.

 
A Northeastern degree is nothing to sneeze at 
 

 
Alfond has been one of college hockey's best home-ice advantages for a solid quarter-century, even in Maine's down years. But I've never seen anything quite so Jekyll-and-Hyde as this season's split of 10-1-0 at home and 0-8-2 on the road.
 
NU is annihilating Harvard 4-0 at the end of the 2nd. Harvard had a 5-minute major power play in the 1st and rolled snake-eyes. Assuming BU has no shot tonight, it ought to be Eagles-Huskies for the Beanpot next week.
 
As for the Black Bears, their last 8 regular season games (all pairs) are @ Notre Dame (this weekend), home vs Merrimack, @ NU, and home vs Providence. Tough to like their chances. Barring them making the HE Finals, their futility beyond Orono is probably going to cost them a playoff slot. As a Maine fan, I'm rooting for the Huskies to take the Beanpot, as it will only enhance the Bears' rating if they can take 1 or both from NU in a few weeks.
 
In other news, the current RPI has 5 of the top 7 and 14 of the top 21 from either HE or the ECAC. Clarkson, Maine, Yale, UVM & Colgate are all just outside the projected NCAA field. The settling-out some expected hasn't happened yet. Amazing that the other four conferences can only muster 7 teams combined.

 
Really thankful this year somehow ended up not having a trip to Orono. NU has done a great job to get to this spot, and now have a (comparatively) light schedule down the stretch.
 
Of course, 2 or 3 losses in the last 6 conference games probably knock them out of home ice/bye/NCAA consideration. And that's far too possible when it's Northeastern....
 
It's encouraging though that the Huskies destroyed Harvard so thoroughly today. They did not take the Crimson lightly and were relentless. Hopefully that attitude carries over. Bad to see Manson take that game misconduct for a hit to the head though. He's a big, physical player, but he takes way too many penalties for a captain, #1 defenseman.

If Clay Witt plays like a god (not out of the question, hell not even unlikely), the Huskies have a shot next week. But to be honest... I'm expecting a close game that BC wins in the end. I've seen this story way to many times.

 

[mabrowndog]

Wisconsin beat Minnesota last night 2-1 in the opener of a 2-game set in Madison. The loss ends the Gophers' 14-game winning streak and knocks them out of the top spot in the PWR, leaving BC as king of the mountain for now. They'll play again tonight on the Big Ten Network (9 pm EST). 
 
Other televised games or relative importance: Maine's at Notre Dame for a weekend pair, both on NBCSN at 8 pm EST. Vermont heads to New Hampshire, with tonight's game on WBIN at 7:30 pm. UMass vs UMass-Lowell on Saturday at 6 pm is on NESN. Michigan plays at Penn State, with Saturday's game on ESPNU at 5 pm.

 

[Doug Beerabelli]

Heading to 14th ranked Clarkson at 3rd ranked QU tonight. Taking my bro in law, a Clarkson alum, and nephew. Should be a good game, certainly would be a meaningful win for Clarkson for NCAA purposes.

 

[jsinger121]

Heading to 14th ranked Clarkson at 3rd ranked QU tonight. Taking my bro in law, a Clarkson alum, and nephew. Should be a good game, certainly would be a meaningful win for Clarkson for NCAA purposes.

 
I hope Quinnipiac wins this easily. Big weekend of hockey down in Hamden. I'll be heading to Hamden for tomorrow nights game against St. Lawrence.

 

[Doug Beerabelli]

Missing tomorrow night's game due to baseball coaching duties, if you can believe that.  But there will be booze involved.   I gave my tix to a friend who is taking my son, so he'll get the weekend double.

 

[jsinger121]

Missing tomorrow night's game due to baseball coaching duties, if you can believe that.  But there will be booze involved.   I gave my tix to a friend who is taking my son, so he'll get the weekend double.

 
Do you have season tickets? What section of the bank if you do? I got a 6 game mini plan.

 

[Doug Beerabelli]

Season tix.  3rd year, get them via the faculty group.   I think our area is up to about 30 or so ticket holders amongst a bunch of friends and family of the faculty member doing all the arranging.   
 
118, behind the goal QU defends twice.   The guys gave us seats in the front row (really 4 rows back from ice due to handicap access area), my son sits in corner.   We call this the "puck whisperer" seat, as usually once a game the ref will give a kid sitting there a puck on the way into lockers after the period ends.  I always tell friends I give the tix to who bringing kids to sit them in corner to get a puck.  Works about 3/4s of the time.  
 
Where they sticking you? 
 
Gotta say, it's a great deal (works out to about $5 per ticket), it's great entertainment for the family, great facility with reasonable concession prices.  I also buy hoops season tix for $1 a ticket, so $50 for four for the season.  Good to support school, even if I only get to a couple games.   20 minutes from my house.  Free parking.  I'm very impressed with how QU has grown since I was a kid. And my son has had good experiences with the baseball and basketball summer camps.  If you asked him where he wanted to go to college now, he'd say QU.   
 
Once he figures out how many NYers and NJites go there, he'll change his mind.       

 

[jsinger121]

Season tix.  3rd year, get them via the faculty group.   I think our area is up to about 30 or so ticket holders amongst a bunch of friends and family of the faculty member doing all the arranging.   
 
118, behind the goal QU defends twice.   The guys gave us seats in the front row (really 4 rows back from ice due to handicap access area), my son sits in corner.   We call this the "puck whisperer" seat, as usually once a game the ref will give a kid sitting there a puck on the way into lockers after the period ends.  I always tell friends I give the tix to who bringing kids to sit them in corner to get a puck.  Works about 3/4s of the time.  
 
Where they sticking you? 
 
Gotta say, it's a great deal (works out to about $5 per ticket), it's great entertainment for the family, great facility with reasonable concession prices.  I also buy hoops season tix for $1 a ticket, so $50 for four for the season.  Good to support school, even if I only get to a couple games.   20 minutes from my house.  Free parking.  I'm very impressed with how QU has grown since I was a kid. And my son has had good experiences with the baseball and basketball summer camps.  If you asked him where he wanted to go to college now, he'd say QU.   
 
Once he figures out how many NYers and NJites go there, he'll change his mind.       

 
107 above where the zamboni comes out on the side Quinnipiac shoots twice. If I lived closer to Hamden I'd get a full season. Probably won't be able to get the mini plan next year with a second child on the way. However with them playing Northeastern, Lowell, Merrimack, Harvard, Brown and Providence in the Boston area next year, I will be able to take in all 6 of those games plus make it to the Bank for 2-3 more possibly.

 

[Doug Beerabelli]

That's still pretty darn good.  Hope the success continues for them.

 

[twibnotes]

On my way to State College to see my Wolverines play PSU. Real excited to see the new rink.

 

[sachmoney]

On my way to State College to see my Wolverines play PSU. Real excited to see the new rink.

GIve us a report of "Hockey Valley."

 

[twibnotes]

GIve us a report of "Hockey Valley."

I surely will!

(Going tomorrow night. Nice to see on twitter that mich is up 2-0 tonight)

 

[mabrowndog]

Costly turnover in their own zone for the Irish as Maine passes point-to-point over to Brice O'Connor, who rifles a delayed slapper through traffic and past Summerhays for a 2-0 Black Bear lead. They're less than 5:00 away from their first road win of the year. Martin Ouellette has played out of his ass in net for Maine with some ridiculous saves, several during a 4-on-4 stretch midway through the 3rd.
 
Big night for the road teams in Hockey East as UMass has already shut out Northeastern at Mathews, 3-0. Meanwhile Vermont has built a 5-2 lead at UNH with under 2:00 to play. BU & UMass-Lowell headed to OT tied 2-2.
 
EDIT - Notre Dame pulls Summerhays and calls time-out with 1:36 left.
 
EDIT - Fuck. Irish score with 1:23 to go. Costly face-off loss for the Bears.
 
EDIT - Ugh. Another Notre Dame goal through a crease scrum with 26 seconds left. Tie game. Under review, but it's going to count. Costello with both Irish scores down the stretch.
 
EDIT - Holy shit! The refs waved if off because of an Irish player in the crease before the puck got there. Wow. I'm stunned. Ballsy call, and an incorrect call at that. The puck was there well in advance.
 
EDIT - Heart attack city. Maine survives. The road drought is over.

 

[mabrowndog]

The Badgers complete the sweep over Minnesota, 2-1, as winger Nic Kerdiles returns from a shoulder injury and lights the lamp for the first time in almost 2 months. His goal early in the 3rd sent a sellout crowd at the Kohl Center home happy. The Gophers have scored just 5 goals in their last 4 games.
 
Plenty of movement in the PairWise tonight, as the Badgers are now tied for 7th with Michigan & UMass-Lowell. Northeastern drops into a tie for 11th with Providence, while Maine & Vermont move into the playoff field and a tie for 13th with Minnesota-Duluth, which managed only a tie with hapless Colorado College. Yale's 3-2 OT win at RPI vaults them to 17th -- just outside the field and ahead of a 3-way tie between Clarkson, UNH, & Colgate -- while Notre Dame drops from 15th to a tie for 21st with Denver.

 

[RedOctober3829]

Vermont with a big 5-2 win last night at UNH.  They are in sole possession of 7th in HE, but only 4 points out of home ice.  They play UNH again tonight at 7 on Fox College Sports.  Their remaining schedule is vs. BC(2), at Merrimack(2), and vs. UMass-Lowell(2).  Out of a possible 14 points left this season, they would be hard-pressed to get 6.  I hope they can still make the HE tourney, but that's a tough road ahead.  Tonight is a must-win then next weekend you hope for 1, maybe 2, out of 4 points.  A sweep at Merrimack is imperative as well as at least a split with UML at home.

 

[Doug Beerabelli]

Crazy fun game at the Bank last night. QU scores 10 seconds in, then about a minute later. 2-0 after one. Clarkson score 2 in first minute and a half of 2nd period to tie, but QU gets two back late. Clarkson cuts it to one on shot deflected by QU player from deep (bad luck) but they put 2 more in basket and emerge 6-3. Very very chippy game. Lots of Clarkson contact pot whistle, even s shot on goal post whistle. Refs kinda lost control. Late, Clarkson player gets game misconduct for high hit, and things finally calmed down.

Too bad, so sad Clarkson. You deserved it.

 

[mabrowndog]

I decided to hate Clarkson about 30 years ago when they played in a tournament at the Hartford Civic Center. During the national anthem, which was sung by a local high school girl, when the phrase "Gave proof through the..." came up, their fans and band members all shouted "KNIGHTS!!!" in unison. Then they all giggled amongst themselves, proud of their achievement, while the startled girl struggled to finish. Not sure if they still do that, but it was disrespectful horseshit. Plus their mascot was (is?) a skating knight in a suit of armor, who went around rattling and hacking at the Plexiglas with his stick all around the arena.
 
In conclusion, fuck Clarkson.

 

[JShams]

I decided to hate Clarkson about 30 years ago when they played in a tournament at the Hartford Civic Center. During the national anthem, which was sung by a local high school girl, when the phrase "Gave proof through the..." came up, their fans and band members all shouted "KNIGHTS!!!" in unison. Then they all giggled amongst themselves, proud of their achievement, while the startled girl struggled to finish. Not sure if they still do that, but it was disrespectful horseshit. Plus their mascot was (is?) a skating knight in a suit of armor, who went around rattling and hacking at the Plexiglas with his stick all around the arena.
 
In conclusion, fuck Clarkson.

Replace "Knights" with "Red" during the anthem and you have Cornell. Oh I forgot the 40 year old alumni with kids that still do the goalie taunts.

So I guess it's replace "knights" with "Red" during the anthem, but sprinkle in a complete lack of self awareness and you have Cornell.

 

[ForceAtHome]

Replace "Knights" with "Red" during the anthem and you have Cornell. Oh I forgot the 40 year old alumni with kids that still do the goalie taunts.

So I guess it's replace "knights" with "Red" during the anthem, but sprinkle in a complete lack of self awareness and you have Cornell.

 
Caps fans also do "Red!" and "O!" which both drive me crazy.

 

[mabrowndog]

After dropping the opener 7-3 to Michigan last night, Penn State putting on a far better showing tonight, leading 3-0 late in the 2nd. It would be their first-ever Big Ten conference win (0-9-0 coming in).

 

[twibnotes]

GIve us a report of "Hockey Valley."

I have my review: we (mich) suck

 

[mabrowndog]

Just saw in College Hockey News that St. Anselm was actually considering moving up from D-III to D-I in hockey to take UConn's spot in the Atlantic next season after the Huskies move to the Big East. That idea has been nixed, as has the possibility of either Navy or URI adding hockey and joining the Atlantic.
 
I'm still wondering if Air Force will move to the WCHA, or if the scholarship thing is a deal breaker for them. Their move would also likely depend on Alabama-Huntsville killing their program at the D-I level (as they nearly did last year) and creating a vacancy in the now-10-team conference. With a 1-27-1 mark thus far for UA-H, that plug may be ready for pulling once again.

 

[mabrowndog]

I have my review: we (mich) suck

 
They certainly did tonight.
 
Matthew Skoff, one of just 6 Pennsylvania natives for the Nittany Lions, makes 32 saves for the 4-0 shutout.

 

[mabrowndog]

Last night Maine nearly coughed up a 3-1 lead at Notre Dame by allowing 2 late goals, one of which was disallowed after an official review.
 
Tonight, they've coughed up a 2-1 lead at Notre Dame by allowing 1 late goal (1:08 to play), and there's no review to bail them out.
 
EDIT - And now the Irish score the go-ahead goal with 43.6 left. Likely the game-winner.
 
I have no earthly idea why the Black Bears turn into a heap of shit in the waning minutes away from Alfond.
 
Jesus fuck.

 

[mabrowndog]

Tremendous action so far in the Beanpot final. NU scores first, but it's waved off when a checked Huskie defender falls into the left post and knocks the goal off its mounts a fraction of a second before the puck hits the upper-right corner of the net.
 
NU can't do anything on an ensuing power play, and Johnny Gaudreau just hit the trailing Kevin Hayes with a sweet turnaround centering pass from behind the right goal line, and Hayes rifled it in to put BC on top 1-0.
 
Just past the midway point of the 1st period, and NU is on another power play.

 

[mabrowndog]

Freshman John Stevens lights the lamp from the doorstep to cap a flurry of Husky activity in front of the BC net. It comes at the 18:36 mark of the 2nd. 
 
We got us a hockey game.

 

[inJacobyWeTrust]

Freshman John Stevens lights the lamp from the doorstep to cap a flurry of Husky activity in front of the BC net. It comes at the 18:36 mark of the 2nd. 
 
We got us a hockey game.

 
This has been an excellent game. Both teams are going absolutely balls to the wall and it's great to watch.

 

[mabrowndog]

 
This has been an excellent game. Both teams are going absolutely balls to the wall and it's great to watch.

 
The final 30 seconds of the first period was ridiculous. End-to-end with each goalie making a world-class save.

 

[catomatic]

Anyone have a link for this game?

 

[kenneycb]

Holy shit what a goal by Brown for BC.  Tips the puck whilst on his ass. BC's carried the play for the last 7-10 minutes.

 

[mabrowndog]

Wow. What a play by Brown. Taken to the ice, still redirects the shot for the goal.
 
2-1 BC, 5:10 left.

 

[mabrowndog]

Jesus, the highlight montage NESN just showed of all the solid hits from this game was spectacular. This has easily been one of the best Beanpot finals I've ever seen, and I have no horse in this race whatsoever.

 

[mabrowndog]

Johnny Gaudreau + Puck Possession + Empty Net = Good Night, Huskies.

 

[kenneycb]

I do have a horse but it's the best I remember in BC's run, though I only managed to follow the OT win against BU via radio.
 
Edit: Damn, the goalie got run over by his own guy there too.

 

[mabrowndog]

Brown scores again, adding insult to injury. Not piling on either.
 
Brick's 100% right, these guys playing until the buzzer regardless of the score is a great habit for young hockey players to have.

 

[RedOctober3829]

My hope is that BC is on a Beanpot hangover this weekend and don't show for Friday at the Gut.

 

[doldmoose34]

One trophy down, two more to go

 

[doldmoose34]

Damn mobile double post

 

[Laser Show]

I actually thought this was the year. Silly me.

 

[mabrowndog]

If the season ended today, this would be the most likely bracket seeding:
 
Worcester - BC, UMass-Lowell, Cornell, Mercyhurst
Bridgeport - Union, Quinnipiac, Providence, Vermont
Cincinnati - Ferris, Wisconsin, Michigan, Colgate
St. Paul - Minnesota, St. Cloud, Northeastern, MN-Duluth
 
Despite being tied for 11th in RPI with Providence, NU would draw the short stick and travel based on the Friars' edge in RPI.
 
The Atlantic bid could end up going to a New England school, with Bentley & UConn trailing Mercyhurst by 2 and 3 points respectively. However the Lakers hold a game in hand over both challengers.
 
Cincinnati's going to have an attendance issue no matter what, with most local schools struggling thus far. Ohio State needs a miracle to vault from 25th, and Bowling Green & Miami OH are pretty much out of the picture barring a conference tournament upset. The committee generally wants to avoid opening matchups between conference foes, but with Michigan ranked higher than NU I don't see how they can send the Wolverines to St. Paul just to avoid having them face Wisconsin. Michigan would have earned the seed with closer proximity, and this regional could clearly use the attendance boost. So the Huskies would head west.

 

[Dan Murfman]

So I noticed in your predictions you have Providence in there. Last night UConn beat PC at PC. Does this mean UConn might not be a total doormat next year when they enter Hockey East play?

 

[jsinger121]

If the season ended today, this would be the most likely bracket seeding:
 
Worcester - BC, UMass-Lowell, Cornell, Mercyhurst
Bridgeport - Union, Quinnipiac, Providence, Vermont
Cincinnati - Ferris, Wisconsin, Michigan, Colgate
St. Paul - Minnesota, St. Cloud, Northeastern, MN-Duluth
 
Despite being tied for 11th in RPI with Providence, NU would draw the short stick and travel based on the Friars' edge in RPI.
 
The Atlantic bid could end up going to a New England school, with Bentley & UConn trailing Mercyhurst by 2 and 3 points respectively. However the Lakers hold a game in hand over both challengers.
 
Cincinnati's going to have an attendance issue no matter what, with most local schools struggling thus far. Ohio State needs a miracle to vault from 25th, and Bowling Green & Miami OH are pretty much out of the picture barring a conference tournament upset. The committee generally wants to avoid opening matchups between conference foes, but with Michigan ranked higher than NU I don't see how they can send the Wolverines to St. Paul just to avoid having them face Wisconsin. Michigan would have earned the seed with closer proximity, and this regional could clearly use the attendance boost. So the Huskies would head west.

 
Switch Wisconsin and St. Cloud State. They won't have Wisconsin play Michigan in the first round when they are both from the Big 10 conference. Other than those 2 teams switching places the bracket looks good.

 

[RedOctober3829]

The UConn result last night pushed Vermont from 14 to 11 in the PWR.  Huge.

 

[FelixMantilla]

So I noticed in your predictions you have Providence in there. Last night UConn beat PC at PC. Does this mean UConn might not be a total doormat next year when they enter Hockey East play?

 
UConn's goalie made 58 saves. The Huskies probably aren't going to win many Hockey East games right away.