Friday, November 18, 2011
Weekend Breakout: Nov. 18-20
On the big, new stage – One of the most compelling non-conference rivalries – which in two years will be a conference matchup – faces off with a new backdrop Friday as Boston College visits Notre Dame. Both teams are in the top four in the country and feature some dynamic stars, but they may be upstaged by the site in this game. It’s the official dedication of the Compton Family Ice Arena in South Bend (the rink opened last month), and CBS Sports Network promises a behind-the-scenes look at college hockey’s newest facility.
Also On TV – Friday: Vermont at Boston University (7 p.m. ET, NESN), Minnesota at St. Cloud State (8:30 p.m. ET, Fox Sports North-Alternate), Nebraska Omaha at Denver (9:30 p.m. ET, Root Sports). Saturday: Michigan State at Northern Michigan (7 p.m. ET, Fox College Sports Atlantic), St. Cloud State at Minnesota (8 p.m., Fox Sports North)
Atlantic ascension – Bentley and Mercyhurst both occupied the lower half of the Atlantic Hockey standings in 2010-11, but as the Falcons travel to Erie, Pa., for two games this weekend the teams are both off to fast starts. With identical 4-1-0 conference records, they trail only Air Force in the standings (and the Cadets have played two more games). Branden Komm’s goaltending and offense from three guys named Brett – Gensler, Switzer and Hartung – have led Bentley. Mercyhurst has a balanced offense and an ability to win close games; four of their five wins have come by one goal and the fifth was 2-0 with an empty-netter.
Future watch – On Thursday NHL Central Scouting released its preliminary list of players to watch for the 2012 NHL Draft, including 17 collegians (and many more future collegians on its USHL list). The top college player is Michigan freshman Phil DiGiuseppe, a projected first-round pick, while three schools have two players identified: Cornell, Northeastern and Wisconsin. Joakim Ryan and Cole Bardreau of Cornell host Princeton and Quinnipiac this weekend. Northeastern, with Joseph Manno and Adam Reid, visits Providence and hosts Vermont. Jake McCabe and Brendan Woods of the Badgers visit Colorado College for two games.
In the show – Bemidji State alum Matt Read has been one of the best stories of the young NHL season and he added a new chapter with a last-minute, game-winning goal Thursday night for the Flyers. Read will be a little more than four hours north of his alma mater on Saturday afternoon as Philadelphia visits Winnipeg for the first time (3 p.m. ET). Read’s six goals are just one off the lead among NHL rookies, shared by former WCHA rival Craig Smith and No. 1 draft choice Ryan Nugent-Hopkins.