Wednesday, January 13, 2016

Notes: Himley Helps AF Offense

Streaking goalies, approaching milestones and more in this week’s NCAA hockey notebook.

Notes: Himley Helps AF Offense
Jordan Himley and the Falcons are 7-3-1 in their last 11 games.

By Nate Ewell

Air Force offense takes off – After a sluggish start (2.22 goals per game through 9 games), Air Force’s offense is flying entering a rivalry weekend at Army West Point (3.64 goals per game in the last 11). That run coincides with the emergence of sophomore Jordan Himley (Mundelein, Ill./Janesville-NAHL), who leads the team in scoring. Himley, who had 9 points (5g-4a) in his first 45 college games, has 14 (5g-9a) in his last 12. He has fit well alongside center Ben Carey (Centennial, Colo./Wenatchee-NAHL), who is one of only two seniors typically in the Falcons’ lineup.

#JY1K Watch – Already the winningest coach in college hockey history, Boston College’s Jerry York enters the weekend series with archrival Boston University just two wins shy of 1,000 for his career. The fourth-ranked Eagles faced No. 3 Providence in each of their last three games, going 1-1-1. Friday’s game is on American Sports Network & TSN5

Rivalry series this week:
Boston University at/vs. Boston College
Canisius at Niagara
Air Force at Army West Point
UMass Lowell at/vs. Massachusetts
Michigan at/vs. Ohio State
St. Cloud State at Minnesota Duluth
Bowling Green at Miami (Fri.)

Must Read/See/Hear Material

American Sports Network: Alaska’s Woods thriving again after surviving bone cancer
Mankato Free Press: Nelson has ‘elite goals’ for his college career
Buffalo News: Kolenda prepares for future beyond Niagara hockey
Omaha World Herald: High-scoring Ortega hasn’t missed a beat
Foster’s Daily Democrat: Correale having career year for Wildcats
St. Cloud Times: Schuldt motivated by older brother
Michigan Daily: Piazza’s long road to Michigan
Troy Record: RPI hockey game all about autism

Five More Storylines No One Should be Without

Denver turns to Jaillet – Denver split its goaltending duties for the first half of the year but in 2016 it has been all sophomore Tanner Jaillet (Red Deer, Alta./Fort McMurray-AJHL), with tremendous results. Jaillet is 2-0-2 with a .948 save percentage in that time, including a shutout in Omaha’s first home loss at Baxter Arena on Friday. Jaillet – who at one point was unsure about his playing future after midget hockey – went on to win CJHL goaltender of the year honors with Fort McMurray and has excelled in a his first year and a half with the Pioneers. Denver Post: Jaillet coming up big for DU | Friday’s game is on American Sports Network

Family ties at NU – Northeastern, which started 1-11-2, is 4-1-1 in its last six including a sweep at St. Lawrence last weekend. Brothers John (Sea Isle City, N.J./Dubuque-USHL) and Nolan Stevens (Sea Isle City, N.J./U.S. NTDP­) have been a key part of the resurgence, recording 6 goals and 9 assists in the last six games. They rank second (Nolan) and third (John) on the Huskies in scoring for the season. Nolan and John’s father, John, is a former NHL player and head coach who has helped lead the Los Angeles Kings to two Stanley Cup championships as an assistant coach.

Another LSSU stopper – For the second straight year a freshman goaltender at Lake Superior State is making headlines, as Nick Kossoff (West Des Moines, Iowa/Keystone-NAHL) is following the path blazed by sophomore Gordon Defiel (Stillwater, Minn./Coquitlam-BCHL) last season. Kossoff’s 3 shutouts are tied for the national rookie lead and his .935 save percentage ranks second. The duo of Defiel and Kossoff have combined for a .925 save percentage and helped the Lakers already match their win total from all of last season (8). Listen: Head coach Damon Whitten on the College Hockey Coaches Show

Grant is money – After ending 2015 on a seven-game road trip, Dartmouth has won three out of four games in 2016, each at home. Senior goaltender Charles Grant (Berwick, Nova Scotia/Yarmouth-MHL) has enjoyed his best stretch in two years, posting a 3-1-0 record and .960 save percentage in that time. Injury cost Grant most of last season and he split the start of this season with classmate James Kruger (Minnetonka, Minn./Langley-BCHL). Grant, the first Nova Scotian to play for head coach Bob Gaudet, is one of only three players from the island in Division I.

Welcome back, Werenski – Michigan sophomore Zach Werenski (Grosse Pointe, Mich./U.S. NTDP/CBJ) could be forgiven for a little fatigue last weekend, coming off a World Junior Championship in Finland where he was named the tournament’s best defenseman. Instead, he maintained that level of play and scored twice in a sweep of rival Michigan State. The highest draft pick currently in the NCAA ranks (No. 8 last spring), Werenski may soon follow in the footsteps of his roommate from last year, Dylan Larkin, who is now starring in the NHL. For now, with a bronze medal already, Werenski is committed to pursuing a championships with the Wolverines. MGoBlue.com: Werenski back to making impact for Wolverines | Friday and Sunday’s games are on FOX Sports Detroit

NHL Note of the Week

The Carolina Hurricanes have won three in a row and have points in six out of seven games thanks in part to a defense developed entirely in NCAA hockey – including three players who were in the NCAA just last season. AP: Hurricanes climb in standings fueled by 6 US-born defensemen

Fries at the Bottom of the Bag

The top two teams in Atlantic Hockey – Robert Morris and Holy Cross – meet for a pair of games in Worcester, Mass., this weekend … Bemidji State took 7 of 8 points in a 10-day, 4-game swing through Alaska … Quinnipiac’s three goals in 36 seconds Saturday night at Madison Square Garden were the fastest three goals, not including empty-netters, since Bentley scored three in 18 seconds on Jan. 11, 2008 … Cornell has matched its win total from last season (11) … Minnesota scored 3 shorthanded goals in a game for the first time since Nov. 25, 2006, with Hudson Fasching (Burnsville, Minn./U.S. NTDP/BUF) having a hand in all 3.