Wednesday, January 16, 2013
Notebook: Wilson Leading Lowell
Scott Wilson has jumpstarted his offensive production and the fortunes of UMass Lowell, plus more.
By Nate Ewell
Note of the Week
Wilson powering River Hawks – After earning Hockey East Rookie of the Year honors last season – beating out the likes of BC’s Johnny Gaudreau – UMass Lowell’s Scott Wilson (PIT draft) got off to a slow start in 2012-13, with just one point in his first eight games. That’s a distant memory now, thanks to his 6-11—17 totals in the last 11 games, including game-winning goals in two of the last three games. Wilson has led UMass Lowell on a seven-game winning streak entering Thursday’s visit from Providence.
Thursday’s game is on NBC Sports Network
Must Read/See/Hear Material
After loss, family finding hope through hockey – Lansing State Journal
Hottest ticket in town – Grand Forks Herald
College hockey hopes to keep the attention – Pitt. Tribune-Review
Wilson seizes opportunity at Yale – Brighton-Pittsford Post
Kerdiles keeps commitment and powers Wisconsin – N.Y. Times
The 60-Percent Season Review – INCHWriters.com
Chat with the Cats: Brody Hoffman – UVM
Five More Notes No One Should Be Without
Newest UW sharpshooter – Wisconsin captain John Ramage (CGY draft) is the latest in a line of talented Badger blueliners, one that includes young NHL stars Jake Gardiner, Brendan Smith and Justin Schultz. Ramage’s game is much more stay-at-home than those other Badgers – at least it was until last weekend. The son of former NHLer Rob Ramage entered the weekend with eight goals in his three-and-a-half years of college but scored back-to-back overtime goals to give Wisconsin a sweep at Minnesota State. The wins lifted UW to 7-0-3 in its last 10 games.
Saturday’s game is on FOX Sports Wisconsin
Hammond leading BGSU’s roll – Last March Bowling Green, the last-place team in the CCHA in the regular season, made an improbable run to the conference semifinals, where the Falcons lost in double overtime. This year’s club, while still in the bottom half of the standings, may have hit its stride a bit earlier. Tuesday’s upset of No. 4 Notre Dame gave BGSU a 5-1-2 record since the start of December. Leading the way on a very young roster is goaltender Andrew Hammond – one of only four seniors on the team – who has a 1.96 GAA and .939 save percentage during that recent run.
Isn’t it always hockey day in Minnesota? – Minnesota hosts a state-wide celebration of the game Saturday, including the Wild’s season opener, home games at two of the state’s five Division I teams and even outdoor games on a lake pitting future college stars now in high school. Certainly the State of Hockey claim has some merit: Minnesota has had a native son on every NCAA championship roster of the 2000s, since Maine’s 1999 title team. With all of Saturday’s highlights, top billing – and the highest ticket price – may belong to the Minnesota-North Dakota rivalry. Seats are going for as much as $400 on StubHub.
Both Minnesota-North Dakota games are on FOX Sports North
Hockey day in Philly – The first-year Division I program at Penn State visits its second NHL arena in Pennsylvania Saturday as the Nittany Lions welcome Vermont to Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia. With the end of the lockout it’s now one of two games at that arena that day, with the Penguins and Flyers facing off at 3 p.m. Around 17,000 tickets have already been sold for the college game, which will face off at 8 p.m.
Showcasing future stars – Two of the top feeder leagues for college hockey – the United States Hockey League (USHL) and the Eastern Junior Hockey League (EJHL) – will host showcase events featuring future college stars next week. The USHL Top Prospects Game returns for its second season on Jan. 23 in Muskegon, Mich., featuring 40 players eligible for the 2013 NHL Draft. The EJHL’s 20th annual All-Star Game will take place Jan. 21 at Merrimack College.