Wednesday, April 7, 2021

College Hockey Notebook

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College Hockey Inc. regularly updated this notebook throughout the 2020-21 season.

Final Update: Wednesday, April 7, 2021

With NCAA Division I men’s hockey games regularly played throughout the week during the 2020-21 season, College Hockey Inc. regularly updating this notebook rather than posting notes on a weekly basis.

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April 7, 2021

C-ing things – College hockey captains typically boast impressive back-stories, and the leaders of the four teams in Pittsburgh are no exception:

Massachusetts: Jake Gaudet (Ottawa, Ont./Kemptville-CCHL) has had up-and-down offensive contributions through his UMass career, but he enters the Frozen Four on a roll. After scoring twice in the regular season he has three goals in his last three games, including a pair in the NCAA Tournament opener against Lake Superior State.

Minnesota Duluth: Noah Cates (Stillwater, Minn./Omaha-USHL/PHI) and older brother Jackson (Stillwater, Minn./Waterloo-USHL) are the top two centers for the Bulldogs, one of two pairs of brothers in the Frozen Four. The Flyers prospect is the lone NHL draft pick among the four captains.

Minnesota State: Riese Zmolek (Rochester, Minn./Cedar Rapids-USHL) is one of two seniors leading a relatively young Maverick defense. His brother, Will, also made the NCAA Tournament with Bemidji State, while their father, Doug, played nearly 500 NHL games in his career.

St. Cloud State: Spencer Meier (Sartell, Minn./Fargo-USHL) grew up a St. Cloud State fan, rooting for the school where his father, Kevin, was a baseball standout. He learned to play on his backyard pond, about five miles north of the St. Cloud campus.

Frozen Four: Storylines | Media Kit (.pdf)

Must Read/See/Hear Material

Daily Collegian: How Kessel went from late addition to do-it-all defenseman
The Rink Live: Cairns playing in Frozen Four for Cornell teammates who couldn’t
The Rink Live: Storylines and snapshot looks at the teams
MassLive.com: Steigmeyer gets unexpected chance to realize dream as emergency goalie
Talking Hockey Sense: Nate Ewell

Tonight the top American-born prospects for the 2021 NHL Draft face off in the BioSteel All-American Game (8 p.m. ET, NHL Network) … ESPN will air an hour-long pregame show prior to Saturday night’s national championship game … Friday the Hobey Baker Award winner, AHCA All-America teams and other awards will be announced in a 6 p.m. ET show on NHL Network … Thursday will mark 726 days since the last Frozen Four game, the 2019 national championship … St. Thomas introduced Rico Blasi as its first Division I head coach on Tuesday … Two Hockey East alumni – Jeremy Swayman and Tyce Thompson – made their NHL debuts Tuesday.

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April 6, 2021

Shooting for three – Minnesota Duluth is two wins away from its third consecutive national championship, a feat that hasn’t been accomplished in 68 years (since Michigan, 1951-53). The Bulldogs have a distinct experience advantage over the rest of the field, which has combined for two Frozen Four appearances prior to 2021. UMD has 15 juniors and seniors who have tasted Frozen Four success, a group that includes each of its top six scorers. Upperclassmen combined for 82% of Minnesota Duluth’s points this season, most of the four teams.

Most Juniors & Seniors, 2021 Tournament Teams
16 – Minnesota State
15 – Minnesota Duluth
14 – Bemidji State, Massachusetts, St. Cloud State

Most Points from Juniors & Seniors, Frozen Four Teams
178 – Minnesota Duluth (82% of all points)
163 – Minnesota State (61%)
158 – St. Cloud State (62%)
151 – Massachusetts (59%)

Must Read/See/Hear Material

The Athletic: Trivigno’s path to UMass: Hockey, the family way
The Rink Live: Assistant coaches have been vital to Minnesota State’s success
The Rink Live Podcast: John Buccigross
Hockey Sense: 2021 Men’s Frozen Four Preview
Star Tribune: Matchup is an old, frigid rivalry between Minnesota State, St. Cloud State
Bardown Beauties Podcast: Jess Myers and Bruce Ciskie

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April 5, 2021

On the rise – With three of the Frozen Four teams making their first (Minnesota State) or second (Massachusetts, St. Cloud State) appearance in the event, it’s safe to say that this is not a gathering of the sport’s traditional powers. What’s especially noteworthy is how far the UMass and Minnesota State programs have come in a relatively short period of time. The Minutemen are only three years removed from an eight-year stretch in which they never finished above eighth place in Hockey East (2010-11 through 2017-18). Less than 10 years ago Minnesota State snapped a similar four-year stretch in the WCHA (2008-09 through 2011-12). The teams’ performances in the last four seasons, however, have vaulted them into the sport’s elite. | Frozen Four Teams’ Conference Finishes, Last 15 Years

Most Wins, Last Four Seasons
114 – Minnesota State
91 – Minnesota Duluth
89 – Bowling Green
87 – Massachusetts, St. Cloud State
83 – North Dakota

Must Read/See/Hear Material

Boston Globe: How UMass became a national power under Greg Carvel
Star Tribune: Frozen Four coaches go to school off each other
FloHockey: McKay and the Mavericks are proving people wrong
The Gazette: Lindberg won’t be UMass’s best kept secret for long
MassLive.com: UMass hockey has come a long way
MassLive.com: Minutemen set to be successful well into the future
The Pipeline Show: Chaz Lucius and Adam Wodon
Pucks in Deep Podcast: Colby Cohen & Dave Starman

Minnesota Duluth (15-10-2) could become the first national champion since 1966 not to win 20 games … On Saturday Matt Kiersted became the first 2020-21 NCAA player to play in the NHL … Five of the top nine NHL-affiliated prospects played NCAA hockey this season according to TSN’s Craig Button.

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April 2, 2021

Finn-ishing school – It will be midnight in Finland when the puck drops at the NCAA Frozen Four on Thursday, April 8, but even at that time pockets of the country will be focused on Pittsburgh. The three Finns in the Frozen Four will play big roles in both semifinals. St. Cloud State’s top two scorers – Veeti Miettinen (Espoo, Finland/Kiekko-Espoo U20/TOR) and Jami Krannilla (Nokia, Finland/Sioux Falls-USHL) – are the latest in the school’s long line of Finnish talent, a group that has included NHLer Kalle Kossila. The second semifinal will showcase Massachusetts goaltender Filip Lindberg (Espoo, Finland/Tuto Hockey U20/MIN), who has tied an NCAA Tournament record with three shutouts in his six career tournament games.

Frozen Four Participants by Country
83 – United States
18 – Canada
3 – Finland
2 – Czech Republic
1 – Germany, Slovakia

Must Read/See/Hear Material

Bulldog Insider Podcast: UMD goalies Fanti, Skejstal
TSN 1200: Jacob Bernard-Docker
The Rink Live: Hrenak carries SCSU teammates with him – on his mask
Arizona Daily Star: Roadrunners know that ‘madness’ extends beyond hardwood
NHL.com: Johnson impresses in first season for Michigan

If Massachusetts (18-5-4) or Minnesota State (22-4-1) wins the national title they would finish the season with the fewest losses by an NCAA champion since Maine’s 40-1-2 season in 1992-93 … The team with more shots on goal has won eight of nine games in the 2021 tournament … St. Thomas has named Rico Blasi as the first head coach of its Division I men’s hockey program … Cole Caufield, Dryden McKay and Shane Pinto make up the 2021 Hobey Hat Trick … This will mark the eighth Frozen Four that John Buccigross has called for ESPN, a run that started in 2013 in Pittsburgh.

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April 1, 2021

Trivigno gets his shot – UMass gets a 2019 national championship rematch in the Frozen Four semifinals against Minnesota Duluth, but for the tournament’s top scorer, junior Bobby Trivigno (Setauket, N.Y./Waterloo-USHL), it will be a first shot at the Bulldogs. Then a freshman, Trivigno was suspended for that 2019 game for a hit from behind in the semifinals – a product of his agitating style of play that often crossed the line. This season he’s been even more effective offensively, while cutting down on his time in the penalty box, resulting in a first-team All-Hockey East season.

Bobby Trivigno	Points/Game	PIM/Game
2018-19	0.72	0.79
2019-20	0.59	0.59
2020-21	1.15	0.44

Most Points, Frozen Four Participants
31 – Bobby Trivigno, Massachusetts
27 – Julian Napravnik, Minnesota State
27 – Nick Swaney, Minnesota Duluth
27 – Jackson Cates, Minnesota Duluth
25 – Oliver Chau, Massachusetts

CHI Frozen Four Media Kit (.pdf)

Must Read/See/Hear Material

Sportsnet: 31 Thoughts: Ryan Fanti
FloHockey: Sandelin bags Minnesota State winner with mom’s heart in the balance
The Rink Live: 2019 loss to UMD was valuable lesson for UMass
The Rink Live: Three coaches are longtime friends each looking for NCAA title
The Rink Live: At least this season, UMD finds two No. 1 goalies are better than one
The Gazette: Experience informing UMass’s Frozen Four return
The Recorder: ‘Everyone loves to be around’ Gicewicz
N.E. Hockey Journal: What’s the blueprint?
The Gopher Hockey Blog: 16 Thoughts from Regionals
Talking Hockey Sense: Brad Schlossman

24 players have signed NHL contracts since the end of their seasons … Notre Dame alum Stan Bowman and Boston College alum Bill Guerin were named general manager and assistant general manager of the 2022 U.S. Men’s Olympic Team Wednesday … On this date in 1981, Minnesota’s Neal Broten became the first winner of the Hobey Baker Memorial Award.

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March 26, 2021

Drop the puck! – As the puck drops on the 2021 NCAA Tournament – 713 days since the last tournament game – it fittingly opens with Wisconsin-Bemidji State (1 p.m. ET, ESPN2/TSN Stream/RDS), and a Badger who is scoring at a historic rate. Sophomore Cole Caufield (Stevens Point, Wis./U.S. NTDP/MTL) leads the nation with 28 goals in 30 games, a total that could be even more gaudy had the pandemic not abbreviated the regular season. More Caufield numbers to consider:

• He has 10 more goals than the next-closest player nationally, the biggest gap since 1993-94 (when Dean Fedorchuk led Mike Knuble by 10 goals)
• Only one pair of teammates in the tournament has combined for more than his 28 goals (Minnesota’s Sampo Ranta and Sammy Walker, 31)
• His .933 goals per game is the most in Division I since Iona’s Ryan Carter had 1.00 in 1998-99
• His 10 power-play goals are twice as many as today’s opponent, Bemidji State, has allowed all season

Must Read/See/Hear Material

The Athletic: Blackhawks prospect Vlasic took a ‘huge, huge step’ this season
The Hockey News: Top players to watch in the tournament
Daily Hampshire Gazette: Trivigno’s evolution pushed UMass to championship caliber
Star Tribune: NCAA filled with players from State of Hockey
Star Tribune: Zmolek brothers aim to make mark in tourney
The Rink Live: AIC-UND puts Christian family on opposite sides
Hartford Courant: Return home worth the wait for Quinnipiac’s Smilanic
Boston Herald: UMass’s Lindberg in top form for NCAAs
The Sault News: Lakers return to national stage
YouTube: Frozen Four Hype Video

ESPN and TSN will carry all of the tournament games; here’s how to watch … NHL players whose alma maters play today combined for 12 goals last night (four by North Dakota alum Rocco Grimaldi, the second four-goal game by an NCAA alum in as many nights) … Today’s games include the first meetings for North Dakota-American International and Massacusetts-Lake Superior State … On this date in 2000, Boston University’s Rick DiPietro made a tournament-record 77 saves in the longest tournament game in history (St. Lawrence over BU in 4OT, 123:53) … Boston College advanced to Sunday’s Albany Regional Final after Notre Dame had to withdraw from the tournament due to COVID-19.

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March 25, 2021

Upset special? – Every tournament since 2006 has featured a region’s No. 4 seed upsetting No. 1, including the 16th overall seed beating No. 1 in 2018 and ’19. American International, author of that upset in 2019, makes its second trip to the tournament this year, again in the No. 16 spot. This year’s Yellow Jackets actually boast a more impressive resume than the 2019 team. They enter their meeting with North Dakota with the best winning percentage in the field (.833, 15-3-0), whereas they had the worst in 2019. They also carry the nation’s longest active winning streak at seven games.

Best Winning Percentage
.833 – American International (15-3-0)
.820 – Minnesota State (20-4-1)
.796 – North Dakota (21-5-1)
.793 – Minnesota (23-6-0)
.761 – Boston College (17-5-1)

Must Read/See/Hear Material

The Chronicle Herald: Diliberatore carries Nova Scotia’s hopes at NCAA Tournament
NHL.com: Top prospects in 2021 NCAA Tournament
The Rink Live: 4 regionals, with 4 great stories
The Rink Live: SCSU’s Cockrell excited about first NCAA bid
Seamore Sports: AIC prepares for UND
MassLive.com: AIC looks to handle ‘unfinished business’
The Gopher Hockey Blog: Why your team can win it all (Fargo)
FloHockey: Trio carries WCHA banner to NCAA tourney
Bulldog Insider Podcast: UMD brings experience to another tourney
College Hockey Today: NCAA Tournament superlatives

Only three of the 16 head coaches in the tournament have led a team to a national title, with two facing off in the first round (Jerry York and Jeff Jackson) … Michigan alum Andrew Copp, who never had a hat trick in college, registered the first four-goal game of the NHL season last night for the Winnipeg Jets … Loveland, Colo., is hosting an NCAA regional for the first time, while the other three locations have all hosted within the last five years … Seven of the nation’s top nine scoring defensemen are in the NCAA Tournament, and are represented in each regional.

Top Scoring Defensemen in Tournament
26 points – Zach Metsa, Quinnipiac
21 – Matt Kiersted, North Dakota
20 – Cam York, Michigan (PHI)
20 – Matthew Kessel, Massachusetts (STL)
20 – Zac Jones, Massachusetts (NYR)
20 – Jackson LaCombe, Minnesota (ANA)
20 – Nick Perbix, St. Cloud State (TBL)

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March 24, 2021

Hometown hero – Growing up in Sault Ste. Marie, Mich., Ashton Calder never saw his hometown team make the NCAA Tournament. The talented junior has helped return the Lakers to the field for the first time since 1996, and the WCHA tournament champions are just four wins from the school’s fourth national championship. Calder’s 15 goals rank tied for third among all tournament participants and include two hat tricks during the Lakers’ current six-game winning streak.

Most Goals, Tournament Participants
28 – Cole Caufield, Wisconsin (MTL)
18 – Sampo Ranta, Minnesota (COL)
15 – Ashton Calder, Lake Superior State
15 – Shane Pinto, North Dakota (OTT)
15 – Alex Steeves, Notre Dame
14 – Ethan de Jong, Quinnipiac
14 – Ty Smilanic, Quinnipiac (FLA)

Storylines | Tournament Media Kit (.pdf)

Must Read/See/Hear Material

Talking Hockey Sense: ESPN’s John Buccigross
Hockey Sense with Chris Peters: 31 Prospects
Daily Collegian: Gicewicz and his ever-changing master plan
FOX Sports West: Alex Faust’s fastest 3 minutes in college hockey
Pioneer Press: After bottoming out, Martin sees the light again
The Rink Live: Big Ten hockey has arrived
The Rink Live: Dream deferred: Beavers end NCAA drought after 2020 cancellation
The Rink Live: 15 things to know about AIC
Wisconsin State Journal: Badgers sticking with familiar goaltender rotation
MassLive.com: Hockey East title fills Carvel’s void
Detroit Free Press: How Michigan is keeping focus on NCAAs while NHL Draft looms

Five members of the College Hockey for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion committee introduced in January are in the tournament: Michigan associate head coach Bill Muckalt, Minnesota defenseman Robbie Stucker, Boston College defenseman Marshall Warren, Omaha assistant coach Paul Jerrard and North Dakota forward Jasper Weatherby … Entering the last NCAA Tournament (2019), six defensemen led their teams in either goals or points; this year only Boston University’s David Farrance shares his team lead with 16 points … Three regionals feature the first-ever meeting of two teams: American International-North Dakota, Minnesota State-Quinnipiac and Lake Superior State-Massachusetts. In the Albany Regional, Boston University and St. Cloud State meet for the second time … Four coaches in the tournament are making their first appearances, though three of them – Tony Granato, Albie O’Connell and Damon Whitten – played in the tournament (Mike Gabinet is the fourth) … Track postseason professional signings here … 80 players enter the tournament with at least 100 career games played.

Most 100 Career GP Players
8 – Minnesota State, Notre Dame
7 – Lake Superior State, St. Cloud State
6 – Bemidji State, Minnesota, Minnesota Duluth, Wisconsin

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March 19, 2021

Natural born killers – Bemidji State enters its WCHA semifinal vs. Lake Superior State seeking to solidify its NCAA Tournament chances and close in on the school’s first postseason title since its 2009 Frozen Four team (CHA champions). A big part of the Beavers’ success has been a historically strong penalty kill, one that has allowed only five power-play goals all year and ranks second in the NCAA record books. Senior goaltender Zach Driscoll (Apple Valley, Minn./Omaha-USHL) has backstopped Bemidji State, posting a .927 save percentage and earning third-team All-WCHA honors. Driscoll, who has a 4.0 GPA while pursuing his MBA, was named this year’s WCHA Student-Athlete of the Year.

Best Penalty Kill, All-Time
94.4% – Yale, 2015-16
93.2% – Bemidji State, 2020-21
92.0% – Michigan State, 1998-99
91.1% – Quinnipiac, 2012-13
91.1% – Michigan State, 2000-01

Must Read/See/Hear Material

The Free Press: For MSU’s Duehr, the points are finally coming
The Rink Live: Top four goalies in WCHA have their teams in semifinals
The Mining Journal: Confident and relaxed
Boston Globe: UMass looks to bring home first Hockey East tourney title
N.E. Hockey Journal: Hockey East championship forecast
New Haven Register: Quinnipiac’s Metsa worked to become reliable defenseman
College Hockey Today: The pulse of the postseason
FloHockey: Napravnik continues trend of German gems

Friday features semifinals in Atlantic Hockey and the WCHA; Saturday’s slate includes championship games in those conferences, ECAC Hockey and Hockey East … The NCAA Tournament Selection Show is at 7 p.m. ET on Sunday (ESPNU) … USA Hockey announced the rosters for the 2021 BioSteel All-American Game … Saturday marks the 73rd anniversary of Michigan winning the first NCAA championship in 1948 … Because of its pod schedule in the regular season, today’s Atlantic Hockey matchups are the first meetings of the season (Niagara vs. American International, Canisius vs. Army West Point) … With Thursday’s St. Lawrence overtime win against Colgate, six of the last seven days have featured at least one overtime game, with a total of 14 overtimes (in 10 games) in that time … Saints defenseman Tucker McIntosh (Toronto, Ont./Ottawa-CCHL) scored his first two career goals in his fifth career game in the win … A win Saturday at Quinnipiac would make St. Lawrence (5-8-3) the first under .500 team in the NCAA Tournament since Alabama Huntsville in 2010 (12-17-3).

Under .500 Teams to Make NCAA Tournament
2010 – Alabama Huntsville (12-17-3)
2008 – Wisconsin (15-16-7)
2007 – Alabama Huntsville (13-19-3)
1978 – Colorado College (18-21-1)
1971 – Minnesota (13-16-2)

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March 18, 2021

SLU’s hometown hero – St. Lawrence will host Thursday’s ECAC Hockey semifinal against Colgate, and a local product will be among the offensive leaders trying to send the Saints to the championship game. Junior Kaden Pickering (Madrid, N.Y./Chilliwack-BCHL) hails from about 10 miles north of Canton, towards the Canadian border. He leads the team with six goals in 15 games this season, including five in his last seven outings. | Today’s game is on ESPN+

Must Read/See/Hear Material

The Full 60: Chicago Steel GM Ryan Hardy
The Rink Live: LaFontaine’s whirlwind 24 hours

The women’s Frozen Four faces off today with semifinals at 2 p.m. ET (ESPN3) and 7 p.m. ET (ESPNU) … UMass Lowell senior defenseman Anthony Baxter (Oakville, Ontario/Burlington-OJHL), who had just one assist in the regular season, scored his second and third goals of the playoffs in last night’s 6-5 double-overtime win at No. 1 Boston College … The Hobey Baker Award named its 10 finalists Wednesday, a group that includes three pairs of teammates, four goalies and five sophomores.

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March 17, 2021

Hockey East’s underdog – UMass Lowell is the lone unranked team among the Hockey East semifinalists playing Wednesday, but the River Hawks are unbeaten in five straight and coming off a 2-1 quarterfinal win against No. 11 Boston University. They have claimed the Lamoriello Trophy three of the last seven years (2013, ’14, ’17). Sophomore Matt Brown (Wood Ridge, N.J./Des Moines-USHL) scored his team-leading seventh goal against the Terriers; he led the River Hawks in scoring as a rookie. | Today’s games are on NESN

Must Read/See/Hear Material

YouTube: Gary Makar on NCAA Hockey
Talking Hockey Sense: Corey Pronman
The Rink Live: Cup-tastic night for Gophers
The Rink Live: UND rallies past SCSU

Minnesota and North Dakota captured conference titles – and the first two bids to the NCAA Tournament – Tuesday night … The four other conference championships are scheduled for Saturday, with the field announced Sunday (7 p.m. ET, ESPNU) … Monday and Tuesday, five of six Division I men’s games were decided by one goal (three in OT); the one that wasn’t was 6-4 with an empty-net goal … Find a collection of conference honors, updated as they are announced, here … The 10 finalists for the Hobey Baker Award will be announced Wednesday.

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March 16, 2021

Title Tuesday – After Monday’s four one-goal games – three in overtime – a pair of titles will be won Tuesday, in the Big Ten and NCHC. With those championships come automatic NCAA Tournament bids, and while all four of the day’s participants expect to be in the tournament, that will offer some certainty in this uncertain season. Ten of the 16 tournament berths will be decided by the NCAA Men’s Ice Hockey Committee, and revealed Sunday at 7 p.m. ET on ESPNU. For a sport that typically determines tournament spots by relatively simple math, this year – with almost no non-conference competition – has added intrigue when it comes to the postseason. The other four automatic bids will be determined in conference championship games on Saturday. | The Big Ten championship is on BTN; the NCHC championship is on CBSSN

Must Read/See/Hear Material

Patch: Ground broken on $70 million hockey arena at Sacred Heart
Star Tribune: Latest bracketology

Four of the nation’s top eight teams in the polls play today … Wisconsin’s Cole Caufield (Stevens Point, Wis./U.S. NTDP/MTL), who scored twice Monday, has nine more goals than any other player; that’s the biggest lead for a national goal-scoring leader in 27 years (since Dean Fedorchuk had 10 more goals than Mike Knuble in 1993-94) … There are conference semifinals each of the next three days (Wednesday is Hockey East, Thursday is ECAC Hockey, and Friday features Atlantic Hockey and the WCHA).

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March 15, 2021

Semifinal Ides – The Big Ten and NCHC will determine their championship game participants with doubleheaders today in South Bend, Ind., and Grand Forks, N.D. Each site features one team that enters under .500 and will be particularly motivated to keep its season alive.

Penn State has gone 10-6-0 after an 0-5-0 start, and came back from a 2-0 deficit to beat Notre Dame, 6-3, on Sunday. Connor McMenamin (Collegeville, Pa./Tri-City-USHL) and Chase McLane (Trenton, Mich./Tri-City-USHL/NSH) each scored twice for the Nittany Lions, who would reach the .500 mark with a win vs. Wisconsin. They beat the Badgers, 5-4, in the teams’ most recent meeting (Jan. 22).

Denver posted its third straight win Saturday, a come-from-behind 5-4 victory against Omaha. The 10-12-1 Pioneers will face NCHC regular-season champion North Dakota for the seventh time this season for the chance to play for the NCHC tournament title. The previous meetings have produced some memorable games, particularly in the early season NCHC “pod” in Omaha, where each team won a one-goal affair.

Must Read/See/Hear Material

USA Hockey Magazine: Build it and they will come
Wisconsin State Journal: Short bench no trouble for Ess
The Rink Live: Talking hockey with Big Ten commissioner Kevin Warren
Hockey on Campus: Wisconsin’s Cole Caufield

Find an updated look at each conference tournament picture here … Find conference honorees listed here … The eight teams playing today include six of the top 10 in last week’s USCHO.com Poll … Cole Caufield (Stevens Point, Wis./U.S. NTDP/MTL) enters today’s game with 25 goals in 28 games, the fastest player to 25 goals since Michigan’s Tyler Motte scored 25 in 25 games in 2015-16 … On this date in 1958, Denver won the first NCAA championship held outside of Colorado Springs, Colo., with a 6-2 win against North Dakota in Minneapolis … The men’s Division I NCAA Tournament selection show is set for Sunday at 7 p.m. ET on ESPNU.

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March 12, 2021

First timers? – Five conferences begin their quarterfinals in the next three days, as teams chase postseason titles and attempt to shore up their resumes for NCAA Tournament consideration. Among those in contention are a pair of teams seeking their schools’ first conference tournament titles and NCAA Tournament bids.

Army West Point hasn’t lost in nearly two months, carrying an 11-game unbeaten streak into its best-of-three series with Sacred Heart that begins Friday. Junior Colin Bilek (Brighton, Mich./Northeast-NAHL) has 16 goals in 19 games – the second-best goal total in the nation – while senior Trevin Kozlowski (Valencia, Calif./Salmon Arm-BCHL) has a .940 save percentage in the unbeaten streak.

UConn earned home ice in the Hockey East quarterfinals with a win last week vs. Providence and faces the Friars again in a single game on Sunday. Junior Jonny Evans (North Delta, B.C./Powell River-BCHL) had four points in last week’s game and finished the regular season with 28 points, leading all Hockey East players. His classmate, Jachym Kondelik (Budejovice, Czech Republic/Muskegon-USHL/NSH), had a hat trick last week – the first three goals of a season that has seen him produce 18 assists, making him one of 10 Hockey East players with 20-plus points.

Conference Tournament Overview

Longest Active Unbeaten Streaks
11 – Army West Point (10-0-1)
7 – Wisconsin (6-0-1)
7 – Massachusetts (4-0-3)
5 – American International (5-0-0)
5 – Western Michigan (5-0-0)
5 – Notre Dame (4-0-1)

Must Read/See/Hear Material

Boston Globe: BC men believe they have met ‘the challenge’
Grand Forks Herald: On one-year anniversary of shutdown, UND embarks on ‘unfinished business’
The Rink Live: Family of SCSU’s Bushy has short trip to NCHC Frozen Faceoff
Times Herald-Record: All-star laden Army ready for playoff series
The Athletic: Alex Newhook Q&A
Hockey Minds Podcast: RPI’s Dave Smith
Bulldog Insider Podcast: Cloquet’s Koby Bender
College Hockey Today: Previewing conference tournaments

Sunday will feature three Big Ten quarterfinals on BTN, three Hockey East quarterfinals on NESN/NESN+, and potential Game 3s in Atlantic Hockey and the WCHA on FloHockey … The national co-leaders in shorthanded goals are Boston College teammates Matt Boldy (Millis, Mass./U.S. NTDP/MIN) and Marc McLaughlin (North Billerica, Mass./Cedar Rapids-USHL) … This marks the third year out of the last five that Minnesota State has led the nation in goal margin per game (+2.23 this season).

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March 10, 2021

Road warriors return home – As Hockey East opens its postseason tournament, Maine will play its home opener, with archrival New Hampshire visiting Orono this afternoon. State COVID protocols had prevented the Black Bears from hosting games to this point, so their 15-game regular-season slate all took place away from Alfond Arena. Senior Eduards Tralmaks (Riga, Latvia/Chicago-USHL) has 6 goals in 11 games to lead the team, including the game-tying goal as Maine rallied for a shootout win at UMass last Friday.

Must Read/See/Hear Material

On the Forecheck: Preds draft picks grow through shared NCAA experience
The Rink Live: Duehr emerging as a threat for Minnesota State
USCHO Spotlight: ECAC Commissioner Steve Hagwell
College Hockey Today: Undrafted free agent draft

UMass Lowell hosts Vermont in the other Hockey East playoff game today (3 p.m., NESN) … The first two postseason wins of the season belonged to Niagara (Monday) and Bentley (Tuesday) … Cole Caufield (Stevens Point, Wis./U.S. NTDP/MTL) has nine more goals than any other player, the largest goal-scoring lead in at least the last 25 years of NCAA Division I men’s hockey … Caufield’s teammate, Cameron Rowe (Wilmette, Ill./Des Moines-USHL), leads the nation in save percentage at .943; the last freshman goaltender to lead the nation in save percentage for a season was UMass Lowell’s Connor Hellebuyck in 2012-13 (.952).

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March 5, 2021

LaFontaine eyes title – No. 3 Minnesota hosts No. 7 Michigan this weekend with the Big Ten regular-season title in the Gophers’ sights. Senior goaltender Jack LaFontaine (Mississauga, Ont./Penticton-BCHL/CAR) has led the way, with a .941 save percentage that ranks second nationally and would be the best mark in the school’s 100 seasons. He’ll close out his regular season against his former team, as LaFontaine started his college career with two seasons at Michigan (2016-18). | Friday’s game is on FOX Sports North+; Saturday’s is on BTN

Save Percentage Leaders
.945 – Filip Lindberg, Massachusetts (MIN)
.941 – Jack LaFontaine, Minnesota (CAR)
.939 – Cameron Rowe, Wisconsin
.939 – Blake Pietila, Michigan Tech
.937 – Spencer Knight, Boston College (FLA)

Must Read/See/Hear Material

N.E. Hockey Journal: Trivigno, UMass peaking at right time
Seattle Times: Effort to save UAA gets big boost from Kraken
Greenfield Recorder: Marc del Gaizo makes Minutemen go
The Athletic: Top 64 prospects for 2021 NHL Draft
Hockey Sense with Chris Peters: Breaking down national rookie of the year candidates
Elite Prospects: Tyrone Bronte: Huntsville’s Hobey nominee
College Hockey Insider: Scott Borek

Tonight’s Omaha-North Dakota game will be televised on TSN3 in Canada … A win tonight would make Minnesota the nation’s first 20-win team … Dylan Holloway (Bragg Creek, Alta./Okotoks-AJHL/EDM) led February’s honorees by the Hockey Commissioners’ Association … Tonight’s Hockey East games are the last of the regular season for those six teams; the conference slate wraps up Saturday with Boston University visiting UMass Lowell … Bemidji State (92.3%) is on pace for the second-best penalty killing season in NCAA history, with Massachusetts (92.0%) not far behind; Yale (94.4% in 2015-16) holds the record … Marc Michaelis became the second player from last year’s Minnesota State team to make his NHL debut last night.

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March 3, 2021

Playoff hockey is here – With the calendar flipping to March, it’s playoff time in college hockey, as Atlantic Hockey gets its first round underway on Monday. Regular season action will wrap up in the five other conferences this weekend (with the exception of a lone Michigan-Michigan State game slated for next Wednesday). All six Division I conferences have had their postseason tournaments impacted by the COVID pandemic. Niagara visits Mercyhurst Monday to open the postseason, with the host Lakers led by Carson Briere (Philadelphia, Pa./Trail-BCHL), the son of Daniel who ranks ninth nationally among freshman scorers.

Atlantic Hockey First Round
Mon., March 8: Niagara at Mercyhurst
Tue., March 9: Holy Cross at Sacred Heart
Tue., March 9: Air Force at Bentley

Key Upcoming Dates
March 16: Big Ten, NCHC championship games
March 20: Atlantic Hockey, ECAC Hockey, Hockey East & WCHA championship games
March 21: NCAA Selection Show
March 26-28: NCAA Regionals
April 8 & 10: NCAA Frozen Four

Must Read/See/Hear Material

The Athletic: Alaska finally has an NHL team: the Seattle Kraken
Detroit Red Wings: You don’t know Jack
The Rink Live: Zmolek leading charge for Minnesota State
Seamore Sports: Hernandez growing and learning for Colonials
The Athletic: Top free agents from college hockey and Europe
N.Y. Post: Smith’s Ranger odyssey has led to Miller mentorship
College Hockey Insider: Trevor Large
Glass and Out Podcast: Paul Jerrard

The first three regular-season champions crowned this year also won last season (American International, North Dakota, Minnesota State) … Dylan Holloway (Bragg Creek, Alta./Okotoks-AJHL/EDM) led the nation in scoring in February, the third Badger to lead the nation in scoring for a month this season.

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February 26, 2021

Powerful Badgers – Wisconsin (10-3-1 in 2021) is one of the nation’s hottest teams and a potent power play is a big reason why. The Badgers are converting on 30.6% of their power-play opportunities, fueled by three of the nation’s top five scorers. National goal and points leader Cole Caufield (Stevens Point, Wis./U.S. NTDP/MTL) leads the way, one of six Badgers with seven or more goals – a group that includes his brother, Brock (Mosinee, Wis./Green Bay-USHL).

Best Power Plays, Last 10 Years
32.0% – Michigan, 2015-16
31.6% – Ohio State, 2016-17
31.2% – Harvard, 2019-20
30.6% – Wisconsin, 2020-21
29.5% – St. Cloud State, 2015-16

Most Goals, Two Brothers, 2020-21
26 – Cole and Brock Caufield (Wisconsin)
15 – Easton (St. Cloud State) and Bryce (Minnesota) Brodzinski
14 – Alex and Matt Steeves (Notre Dame)
13 – Owen and Lukas Sillinger (Bemidji State)
13 – Jackson and Noah Cates (Minnesota Duluth)

Must Read/See/Hear Material

Wisconsin State Journal: How Pelton-Byce developed into a constant threat for Badgers
The Rink Live: McLaughlin is the Gophers’ smiling sniper
BC Interruption: A man of many talents: Marshall Warren
Seacoast Online: Krog: UNH years were best of hockey journey

Tonight’s schedule includes 15 games across all six conferences, including the first meeting of the year between Buffalo rivals Canisius and Niagara … Minnesota State is the first school to claim four straight WCHA regular-season titles … The Hockey Humanitarian Award has named its three finalists for the 2021 honor … USA Hockey will host the BioSteel All-American Game the night before the Frozen Four in Plymouth, Mich.

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February 25, 2021

CC, Cruikshank seek gold – Colorado College and Denver resume their battle for the Gold Pan trophy tonight and Saturday in one of the sport’s longest-running rivalries. Leading the Tigers is co-captain Grant Cruikshank (Delafield, Wis./Penticton-BCHL), whose brings a family connection to the pursuit of gold. Cruikshank is the son of Olympic speedskaters Bonnie Blair and David Cruikshank, who he credits as the biggest influences on his athletic career. Cruikshank has been a key to CC’s success, leading the team with eight goals in 14 games. He missed six games in January due to appendicitis – all Tiger losses.

Must Read/See/Hear Material

The Athletic: NHLers show it’s never too late to pursue college degree
Tribune-Review: RMU goalie’s work with veterans groups earns nomination
Hockey Sense with Chris Peters: What should the NHL do about the 2021 Draft?
The Rink Live Podcast: NCAA committee chair Mike Kemp
Crimson Conversations: Henry Thrun & John Farinacci

No. 3 Minnesota State puts its six-game winning streak up against No. 19 Bemidji State tonight … Bowling Green’s 5-0 win against Alabama Huntsville last night was its second shutout in three games … NCAA alumni have made their NHL debuts each of the last three nights (Trevor Zegras, Jacob Bryson, Ross Colton), with Colton also scoring his first career goal … The Pittsburgh Penguins claimed Mark Friedman (Bowling Green) off waivers, giving them 15 NCAA schools represented in their lineup this season … With Vermont alum Dominique Ducharme taking over as head coach of the Montreal Canadiens, there are now nine NCAA alumni leading NHL benches.

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February 23, 2021

LSSU on a roll – Lake Superior State has won five in a row entering today’s afternoon Upper Peninsula battle at Michigan Tech. Junior Pete Veillette (Drummondville, Que./Ottawa-CCHL) leads the team in scoring in the win streak, but it’s been a balanced attack that has fueled the success – 11 Lakers have a goal in the run. With a win today the 18th-ranked Lakers would match Minnesota State for the nation’s longest active winning streak.

Longest Active Unbeaten Streak
9 – Army West Point (8-0-1)
6 – Minnesota State (6-0-0)
5 – American International (5-0-0)
5 – Lake Superior State (5-0-0)
5 – Quinnipiac (4-0-1)

Must Read/See/Hear Material

NHL.com: Collegiate diversity initiative already paying dividends
The UConn Blog: In Auriemma, hockey has a big fan and advocate
College Hockey Inc.: State-by-State MVPs

Nine teams posted sweeps over the weekend, while four more won their lone games … Quinnipiac’s Odeen Tufto (Chaska, Minn./Sioux City-USHL) had four assists Monday night to pull within two points of the national scoring lead … Wisconsin players occupy three of the top five spots among national scoring leaders; the Badger offense is tied for fourth nationally with 3.83 goals per game.

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February 19, 2021

UND’s super sophomore – North Dakota enters a weekend series with Omaha with a chance to claim the NCHC regular-season title. Leading the way is sophomore Shane Pinto (Franklin Square, N.Y./Tri-City-USHL/OTT), who has scored a goal in six straight games and stands second nationally in goals (14; fourth in points with 26). Pinto is a standout among a remarkable sophomore class across college hockey, one that features 17 first- and second-round NHL draft picks. Pinto, who was the NCHC Rookie of the Year last season, is closing in on his goal and point totals from that campaign (16-12—26).

1st- and 2nd-Round Picks in Sophomore Class
Johnny Beecher, Michigan (1st, BOS)
Matt Boldy, Boston College (1st, MIN)
Bobby Brink, Denver (2nd, PHI)
Cole Caufield, Wisconsin (1st, MTL)
Vladislav Firstov, Connecticut (2nd, MIN)
Drew Helleson, Boston College (2nd, COL)
Dylan Holloway, Wisconsin (1st, EDM)
Ryan Johnson, Minnesota (1st, BUF)
Spencer Knight, Boston College (1st, FLA)
Yan Kuznetsov, Connecticut (2nd, CGY)
Jackson LaCombe, Minnesota (2nd, ANA)
Robert Mastrosimone, Boston University (2nd, DET)
Alex Newhook, Boston College (1st, COL)
Shane Pinto, North Dakota (2nd, OTT)
Jayden Struble, Northeastern (2nd, MTL)
Alex Vlasic, Boston University (2nd, CHI)
Cam York, Michigan (1st, PHI)

Must Read/See/Hear Material

Boston Globe: Northeastern reunion for Fontaine siblings
The Rink Live: McManus is the Gophers’ 4-wheeled wonder
The Rink Live: Things have come full circle for Chyzyk, Gaber
The Rink Live: Q&A: Nick Swaney
NHL Network: CCHA Commissioner Don Lucia
Spartans All-Access: Drew DeRidder
College Hockey Today: Individual awards favorites

There are 13 games on today’s schedule, including action in five of six conferences … Two Northern Michigan players – André Ghantous (Glendale, Calif./Penticton-BCHL) and Joseph Nardi (Edmonton, Alta./Whitecourt-AJHL) – rank 1-2 in the nation in points in February (13 and 11).

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February 16, 2021

Martan, Canisius rolling – Canisius has played an NCAA-low eight games, but it’s .750 win percentage ranks seventh nationally. Junior Mitchell Martan (Whitby, Ont./Wellington-OJHL) has points in seven straight games after being held off the board in the Golden Griffins’ opener. He has landed 3.5 shots on goal per game – third among all Atlantic Hockey players – entering tonight’s home game against Mercyhurst. A win tonight would give Canisius, which finished ninth in the league last year, the conference’s second-best winning percentage in 2020-21.

Must Read/See/Hear Material

Wisconsin State Journal: The remarkable story of how brain surgery saved Tony Granato’s life
The Gazette: Expectations great for CC newcomer Gleason
On the Pond Podcast: ASU’s Johnny Walker
ESPN.com: The NHL’s best and worst this week

Holy Cross will host Boston College, Northeastern and Quinnipiac for the 2021 Ice Breaker Tournament … Today’s schedule features two Atlantic Hockey games and two WCHA games … Northeastern’s Aidan McDonough (Milton, Mass./Cedar Rapids-USHL/VAN) scored five goals this weekend on seven shots … Minnesota’s Jack LaFontaine (Mississauga, Ont./Penticton-BCHL/CAR) posted his fourth and fifth shutouts of the year, improving his season save percentage to .943.

Best Save Percentage
.959 – Dryden McKay, Minnesota State
.945 – Cameron Rowe, Wisconsin
.944 – Blake Pietila, Michigan Tech
.943 – Jack LaFontaine, Minnesota (CAR)
.942 – Jacob Barczewski, Canisius

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February 12, 2021

Goaltending royalty leading Irish – Notre Dame has won three straight and is coming off its most impressive weekend of the season as No. 5 Minnesota comes to town. Senior Dylan St. Cyr (Northville, Mich./U.S. NTDP) has staked his claim to the Fighting Irish goal, making seven straight starts with a .930 save percentage in that time. St. Cyr comes from goaltending royalty; his mother, Manon Rheaume, won Olympic gold with Canada in 1998 and was the first woman to appear in an NHL preseason game in 1992. Notre Dame sits one game over .500, making these critical contests entering the last four weekends of the regular season. | Tonight’s game is on NBCSN

Must Read/See/Hear Material

Star Tribune: College hockey takes step toward more diversity, equity and inclusion
Boston Globe: College hockey creates new initiative to foster conversation
Bemidji Pioneer: Kampa working to make hockey more inclusive
NESN College Hockey Podcast: BC’s Marshall Warren
N.E. Hockey Journal: First win is sweet for BU’s Duplessis
The State Press: Koumontzis fights COVID-19, injuries in height of career
Portsmouth Herald: Crookshank’s four-goal game no surprise to coach
Union Leader: NCAA selection committee may make a comeback

The 16 games currently scheduled for tonight mark the busiest day of the Division I men’s season thus far … Hockey East announced its tournament and seeding plans for 2021 on Wednesday … The three longest active unbeaten streaks in Division I are all on the line tonight … Vermont hosts Boston University in the Catamounts’ first game since Jan. 9.

Longest Current Unbeaten Streak
6 – Minnesota Duluth (6-0-0)
6 – Army West Point (5-0-1)
6 – Bemidji State (5-0-1)
5 – American International (5-0-0)

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February 11, 2021

Making a name – A goalie named after Ken Dryden continues his record-setting efforts for Minnesota State tonight at Alabama Huntsville. Junior Dryden McKay (Downers Grove, Ill./Madison-USHL) – who has recorded shutouts in seven of 12 starts this season – is authoring the best statistical season in NCAA history and has the Mavericks ranked third nationally in the polls this week. McKay’s goaltending roots run deeper than just his first name; his father, Ross, was a standout goaltender himself who reached the NHL with the Hartford Whalers.

NCAA Record, Career Shutouts
26 – Ryan Miller, Michigan State (1999-02)
21 – Dryden McKay, Minnesota State (2017-present)
21 – Michael Bitzer, Bemidji State (2015-18)
20 – Joe Fallon, Vermont (2005-08)
19 – Matthew Galajda, Cornell (2017-present)
19 – Michael Garteig, Quinnipiac (2013-16)
19 – Ben Scrivens, Cornell (2007-10)

NCAA Record, Single-Season Save Percentage
.959 – Dryden McKay, Minnesota State (2020-21)
.956 – Jimmy Howard, Maine (2003-04)
.952 – Connor Hellebuyck, UMass Lowell (2012-13)
.950 – Ryan Miller, Michigan State (2000-01)

NCAA Record, Single-Season Goals-Against Average
0.84 – Dryden McKay, Minnesota State (2020-21)
1.19 – Jimmy Howard, Maine (2003-04)
1.20 – David LeNeveu, Cornell (2002-03)
1.24 – David McKee, Cornell (2004-05)
1.31 – Dryden McKay, Minnesota State (2019-20)

Must Read/See/Hear Material

The Gazette: After appendicitis, Cruickshank taking advantage of COVID-19 pause
Providence Journal: After junior gold, Leaman aiming for another NCAA berth
N.E. Hockey Journal: Orpik chats Cup memories, refining your game and constant learning

Wednesday night, College Hockey for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion was introduced in a virtual news conference … Cole Caufield (Stevens Point, Wis./U.S. NTDP/MTL) has 17 goals in his first 20 games, the eighth year in a row a Division I men’s player has accomplished that feat … Massachusetts and Minnesota State are the only teams in the top 10 in both power play and penalty kill.

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February 9, 2021

Ranked Huskies – UConn will play the program’s first game as a nationally ranked team Tuesday night at UMass Lowell, one of four games on the schedule today. The Huskies are 7-2-1 since Christmas, including wins in each of their last three games. Junior Jonny Evans (North Delta, B.C./Powell River-BCHL) has been an offensive force for UConn, ranking tied for second nationally with 12 goals – 10 of them since Christmas. Evans’s four-goal game on Jan. 30 was his third career hat trick and the first four-goal game in UConn’s Division I history (since 1998). | Tuesday’s game is on NESN

Best Record Since Christmas
.889 – Minnesota State (8-1-0)
.833 – Michigan (5-1-0)
.800 – Wisconsin (8-2-0)
.778 – Bemidji State (6-1-2)
.778 – Michigan Tech (7-2-0)
.750 – UConn (7-2-1)
.750 – Robert Morris (9-3-0)
.750 – Boston University (6-2-0)
.750 – North Dakota (6-2-0)

Must Read/See/Hear Material

Times Herald-Record: Army’s Bilek among nation’s top scorers
Seamore Sports: Brian Riley living his dream at West Point
The Rink Live: Picking the field of 16
The Athletic: 2021 NHL Draft top 31 prospects

The NCHC announced its postseason tournament plans, with a single-elimination tournament set for Grand Forks, N.D. … Army West Point extended its unbeaten streak to five games last night (4-0-1); only Minnesota Duluth (6-0-0) and Bemidji State (5-0-1) have longer active streaks … The nation’s top 10 scorers include seven Americans, two Canadians and a Swede … A Wednesday news conference will introduce a new initiative, College Hockey for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion.

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February 8, 2021

Bilek emerges for Army – Army West Point opens a home-and-home at Sacred Heart tonight boasting a 5-1-1 record in its last seven games. The Black Knights have found a potent offensive weapon in junior Colin Bilek (Brighton, Mich./Northeast-NAHL), whose 10 goals rank tied for ninth nationally and have all come in the last nine games. An assistant captain, Bilek had seven goals in each of his first two seasons at West Point.

Must Read/See/Hear Material

The Hockey News: Can the Frozen Four become March Madness?
Daily Collegian: How PSU’s Wall has exploded as a sophomore
Boston Herald: Donato makes way through season without hockey
NHL.com: Power making his case to be top pick in 2021
The Hockey Think Tank: Todd Woodcroft
Glass & Out Podcast: Nate Leaman

Former Denver coach and six-time Stanley Cup champion Ralph Backstrom passed away Sunday … The top two teams in the national polls (Boston College and Minnesota) went a combined 1-3-0 over the weekend; No. 3 North Dakota was idle … NCAA save percentage leader Dryden McKay (Downers Grove, Ill./Madison-USHL) of Minnesota State improved his season number to .959 over the weekend; he has seven shutouts in 12 starts.

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February 5, 2021

Summit meetings – This season unlike any other has lined up a tremendous weekend of matchups to open February. Among them are these three:

In Mankato, Minn., the top two teams in the WCHA face off as No. 6 Minnesota State hosts No. 8 Bowling Green. Two of only four teams in the nation to compile more than 100 wins in the last five seasons, the Mavericks and Falcons make for a clash in styles. Minnesota State has the nation’s best defense and a goaltender – Dryden McKay (Downers Grove, Ill./Madison-USHL) – who has shutouts in six of his 10 starts this season. Bowling Green counters with an offense averaging four goals per game and featuring three of the nation’s top six active career scorers.

Most Wins, Last Five Seasons
123 – Minnesota State
114 – Minnesota Duluth
107 – Denver
106 – Bowling Green
99 – Clarkson

The top two teams in the Big Ten meet in Minneapolis, coinciding with the nation’s No. 1 women’s team, Wisconsin, visiting No. 2 Minnesota. On the men’s side, two of the top three goal scorers in the nation will take the ice in this Border Battle, with No. 11 Wisconsin boasting the leader in Cole Caufield (Stevens Point, Wis./U.S. NTDP/MTL). No. 2 Minnesota’s Sampo Ranta (Naantali, Finland/Sioux City-USHL/COL) is just two goals behind Caufield, and has goals in his last three games. | Both games are on FOX Sports North+ and RDS; Friday’s is also on TSN3

Most Goals
14 – Cole Caufield, Wisconsin (MTL)
12 – Matthew Kopperud, Arizona State
12 – Sampo Ranta, Minnesota (COL)
11 – Jonny Evans, Connecticut
11 – Shane Pinto, North Dakota (OTT)
11 – Ty Smilanic, Quinnipiac (FLA)

The Battle of Comm. Ave. in Boston features two of the top four teams nationally in winning percentage, and both enter with unbeaten streaks of at least five games. It’s just the seventh game of the season for No. 15 Boston University, which has faced pauses due to the pandemic; the Terriers are now more than halfway to the 13 games they would need to be NCAA Tournament-eligible. Friday marks game No. 14 for No. 1 Boston College, which hasn’t lost with sophomore goaltender Spencer Knight (Darien, Conn./U.S. NTDP/FLA) in net (9-0-1). | Friday’s game is on NESN+

Best Winning Percentage
.833 – Boston University
.833 – Minnesota
.812 – American International
.808 – Boston College
.800 – Bowling Green

Must Read/See/Hear Material

The Blade: Can BG win the national championship? Sure, why not?
Wisconsin State Journal: Goals still Caufield’s specialty, but game has become more complete
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NHL.com: McDonagh completing degree during breaks in schedule
Omaha World-Herald: Tychonick proves to be solid addition to UNO defense
Huskies Hockey Insider Podcast: Zach Okabe
College Hockey Today: The Year’s Best Weekend Ahead

The Hockey Commissioners’ Association named its honorees for January, led by BU’s David Farrance (Victor, N.Y./U.S. NTDP/NSH) … The top three scoring defensemen in the NHL this season all played NCAA hockey (Quinn Hughes, Jeff Petry, Cale Makar) … Minnesota has won a game on each day of the week this season … Tonight features fourth- vs. fifth-place games in Atlantic Hockey (Mercyhurst at RIT), Hockey East (Connecticut at Northeastern) and the NCHC (Omaha at Denver) … Seven of the top 10 scorers in the nation are seniors.

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February 4, 2021

Albertans spark Colgate – Colgate has won two out of three entering a home-and-home with Clarkson and the Raiders have received a big lift from two freshmen out of Alberta. Alex Young (Calgary, Alta./Canmore-AJHL/SJS) leads the team in scoring with 12 points, including 5 in the last 3 games. He has also produced 5 points in 4 previous meetings with Clarkson. Classmate Carter Gylander (Beaumont, Alta./Sherwood Park-AJHL/DET) has earned all four Colgate victories in net and started six of the last seven games. Gylander’s .906 save percentage ranks seventh among rookie netminders nationwide.

2020-21 Division I Players by Canadian Province (top six)
163 – Ontario
84 – Alberta
81 – British Columbia
32 – Quebec
20 – Saskatchewan
19 – Manitoba

Must Read/See/Hear Material

The Rink Live: LaCombe’s game and confidence are growing for Gophers
The Rink Live: Loss provided new look at UND’s Sanderson
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The Rink Live: SCSU’s flashy Finns getting results
Connecticut Post: The growth of UConn program continues, and it is real
Seamore Sports: UAH Hockey: cautiously optimistic
Seamore Sports: AIC is grooving

College Hockey Inc. is accepting applications for the College Hockey Inc. Scholarship, presented by JLG Architects and in honor of Lonnie Laffen … Tonight’s schedule includes three games and an exhibition … The exhibition, USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program at Arizona State, opens the Sun Devils’ only home series of the season … Robert Morris hosts Long Island for a two-game series and needs one win to match last season’s win total (13) … Tuesday 35 goaltenders were named to the Richter Award watch list … Four players are tied for the national lead in scoring by a defenseman, with two teammates one point behind.

Most Points, Defensemen
17 – Will Cullen, Bowling Green
17 – Matt Kiersted, North Dakota
17 – Zach Metsa, Quinnipiac
17 – Nick Perbix, St. Cloud State (TBL)
16 – Zac Jones, Massachusetts (NYR)
16 – Matthew Kessel, Massachusetts (STL)
15 – Nick Jenny, Robert Morris

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February 2, 2021

BC’s “C” – While the first Monday of February 2021 was missing the Beanpot, the first Tuesday features a terrific Boston matchup among three games on the schedule. Junior captain Marc McLaughlin (N. Billerica, Mass./Cedar Rapids-USHL) leads No. 1 Boston College into its visit with No. 14 Northeastern. McLaughlin’s 12 points through 12 games match his career high, set last season in 34 contests. He has a team-leading seven goals, including three game-winners in the month of January alone (4-3—7 in 6 January GP). McLaughlin, who previously wore the “C” for the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders and at Cushing Academy, leads all NCAA players in shorthanded goals (3) and shares the lead in game-winning goals (4). | Today’s game is on NESN+

Must Read/See/Hear Material

Post-Gazette: Undersized and unheralded, O’Connor bet on himself
The Athletic: What will players and coaches do with no Beanpot?
The Rink Live: Challenges, opportunities abound for St. Thomas
Pucks in Deep: UMD’s Nick Swaney
The Hockey Masterclass: Tony and Cammi Granato

Alumni combined for 12 goals in the five NHL games last night … Air Force beat Bentley Monday, giving all 51 Division I teams at least one win this season … Two of the nation’s top three goal scorers – Cole Caufield (Stevens Point, Wis./U.S. NTDP/MTL) and Sampo Ranta (Naantali, Finland/Sioux City-USHL/COL) – will face off when Wisconsin visits Minnesota this weekend.

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January 29, 2021

Like father, like son for UNO – In one of three games tonight between two top-20 teams, No. 2 North Dakota returns to the scene of the NCHC “pod” to face No. 9 Omaha, perhaps the biggest surprise in the conference. The Mavericks, picked sixth in the NCHC preseason poll, are led offensively by a pair of NHL legacies in their junior class. Chayse Primeau (Margate City, N.J./Dubuque-USHL), son of Keith, leads the team with 13 points, while Taylor Ward (Kelowna, B.C./Penticton-BCHL), son of Dixon, leads the team with 7 goals. Taylor faces his father’s alma mater in this weekend’s matchup with the Fighting Hawks. | Tonight’s game is on CBSSN

Must Read/See/Hear Material

Omaha World-Herald: UNO is thriving behind Gabinet, a coach with ice in his veins
RIT SportsZone: Logan Drackett
The Rink Live: Gauer a rare midseason addition for BSU
Brown Bears Podcast: Garnet Hathaway
College Hockey Today: How to pick a tourney field
Boston Globe: Two coaching legends share a moment in Storrs, Conn.

RIT’s Will Calverley (Scarborough, Ont./Chilliwack-BCHL) recorded his second hat trick of the season in last night’s win, the first player in the nation with multiple hat tricks … Penn State senior Alex Limoges (Winchester, Va./Waterloo-USHL) scored his second overtime goal in 14 days last night, his 50th career tally … Three games tonight are on national/regional sports networks; NESN and TSN2 also have the Merrimack at Northeastern women’s game this afternoon (3:30 p.m. ET) … Boston University alum Jake Oettinger – who took online classes to complete his degree in 2020 – posted his first NHL win in his first career start last night … So far this NHL season, 224 NCAA alumni have appeared in at least one game.

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January 28, 2021

Familiar affair at Notre Dame – Notre Dame boasts a dangerous first line that features two familiar names to Fighting Irish and college hockey fans: Graham (South Bend, Ind./Cedar Rapids-USHL) and Landon Slaggert (South Bend, Ind./U.S. NTDP/CHI). The Slaggert brothers have been skating with the team’s top scorer, Alex Steeves (Bedford, N.H./Dubuque-USHL), and grew up around the program thanks to their father, associate head coach Andy Slaggert. A 1989 Notre Dame graduate, Andy is in his 28th season as an Irish coach, having served as an assistant to Ric Schafer, Dave Poulin, and now Jeff Jackson. The Irish begin a two-game series at Penn State tonight.

Must Read/See/Hear Material

Flo Hockey: Minnesota State’s Dryden McKay & his namesake Ken Dryden
The Mercury News: Three ex-college teammates share special night
Huntington News: Married to the game
The Gateway: A family affair this weekend for Ward
Anchorage Daily News: Seawolf hockey gets a boost from Seattle Kraken
DartmouthSports.com: Coaching during Covid

The Big Ten announced that Notre Dame will host all three rounds of its conference tournament, March 18-20 … The BCHL released a fascinating interactive NCAA map featuring BCHL commitments and alumni at each NCAA school … Mercyhurst visits RIT this evening, RIT’s first game since Jan. 3.

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January 26, 2021

SHU C’s the ice – Sacred Heart, coming off a breakthrough season in 2019-20, plays its first game in 20 days this evening at American International. The Pioneers are led by senior captain Marc Johnstone (Cranford, N.J./Chicago-USHL), who is no stranger to wearing the “C” on his chest. In his second year as Sacred Heart’s captain, Johnstone also captained the Chicago Steel in the USHL, where he led the team to the 2017 Clark Cup. He tops all current Pioneers in career goals, assists, points and games played (113 GP, 28-53—81).

Must Read/See/Hear Material

Lansing State Journal: Combs took unlikely path to become MSU’s top scorer
On the Pond: North Dakota’s Jordan Kawaguchi

Bentley hosts Holy Cross today in the Falcons’ first game since Dec. 19 … Tomorrow marks just the fifth day in January without a Division I men’s game … Yesterday the Arizona Coyotes named Dartmouth alum Lee Stempniak the team’s new Hockey Data Strategist … Last night’s lone NHL game featured goals from two Michigan alums – Quinn Hughes and Tyler Motte.

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January 25, 2021

Husky D – Michigan Tech returned 83% of its goals from last year – third-most in the nation – but that’s not what has powered the Huskies’ 7-3-1 start. Instead it has been defense and goaltending, as seen in Saturday’s 2-0 shutout of Northern Michigan; the two teams conclude a home-and-home set this evening in Marquette. MTU goaltenders Blake Pietila (Howell, Mich./Cedar Rapids-USHL) and Mark Sinclair (Dundas, Ont./Chilliwack-BCHL) each boast two shutouts, and the defensemen have contributed offensively as well – two of the team’s top three scorers and three of the top seven are blueliners, led by junior Eric Gotz (Hermantown, Minn./Minnesota Wilderness-NAHL), who had the opening goal Saturday night.

Fewest Goals Against per Game
1.00 – Minnesota State
1.62 – Minnesota
1.64 – Michigan Tech
1.83 – Bowling Green
1.94 – North Dakota

Longest Active Unbeaten Streaks
9 – Minnesota State (8-0-1)
6 – Michigan Tech (6-0-0)
5 – Boston University (5-0-0)
5 – Boston College (4-0-1)
4 – Mercyhurst (4-0-0)
4 – Michigan (4-0-0)
4 – Clarkson (2-0-2)

Must Read/See/Hear Material

College Hockey Inc.: Central Scouting Rates 106 | Sortable list
NUHuskies.com: Devon Levi press conference

The AHCA announced its 2021 award winners … All five teams from the state of Minnesota posted sweeps this weekend (combined 10-0-0) … Boston College head coach Jerry York became the first NCAA coach to reach 1,100 career wins Saturday night … St. Cloud State junior Nolan Walker (Anchorage, Alaska/Sioux Falls-USHL) posted the season’s first four-goal game Saturday vs. Miami … Omaha’s win Sunday snapped a 19-game winless streak against Denver … Jack Roslovic, who wore No. 96 at Miami, will wear the same as a member of the Columbus Blue Jackets.

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January 22, 2021

Freshman showdown – As Clarkson and Quinnipiac drop the puck on their second three-game series in three weeks, two of the nation’s most dynamic freshmen will be on display. Clarkson’s Alex Campbell (Chateauguay, Que./Omaha-USHL/NSH) ranks fifth among rookies nationally with 15 points, while Quinnipiac’s Ty Smilanic (Denver, Colo./U.S. NTDP/FLA) is second with 10 goals. Their presence injects even more talent into a matchup of arguably ECAC Hockey’s top teams. Campbell and/or Smilanic had points in each game of the earlier three-game series, which produced three one-goal affairs (two that went to overtime). | Tonight’s game is on ESPN+

Most Points, Freshmen
18 – Kent Johnson, Michigan
18 – Matthew Kopperud, Arizona State
16 – Thomas Bordeleau, Michigan (SJS)
16 – Randy Hernandez, Robert Morris
15 – Alex Campbell, Clarkson (NSH)
14 – Veeti Miettinen, St. Cloud State (TOR)
13 – Matty Beniers, Michigan
13 – Carter Savoie, Denver (EDM)
13 – Ty Smilanic, Quinnipiac (FLA)
13 – Travis Treloar, Ohio State

Most Goals, Freshmen
12 – Matthew Kopperud, Arizona State
10 – Ty Smilanic, Quinnipiac (FLA)
8 – Riese Gaber, North Dakota
8 – Carter Savoie, Denver (EDM)
7 – Veeti Miettinen, St. Cloud State (TOR)

Must Read/See/Hear Material

Wisconsin State Journal: Now a regular, Peltonen shows his growth
N.E. Hockey Journal: Resilient Terriers on swift ascent
The Recorder: Leonard proving the process works
6 Degrees with Mike McKenna: Ray Shero
College Hockey Today: Covid Q & (Some) A

The last team to start its season, Boston University, has won three in a row entering this afternoon’s game vs. Maine (3:30 p.m. ET, NESN/TSN2) … Three alumni – Kyle Connor (Michigan), Kevin Hayes (Boston College) and Jeff Petry (Michigan State) – are among the seven players tied for the NHL scoring lead with seven points … Today’s schedule includes an exhibition featuring Division I’s newest program, Long Island, and Liberty University’s AHCA team … Minnesota’s Brannon McManus (Newport Beach, Calif./Chicago-USHL) and Sammy Walker (Edina, Minn./Edina HS/TBL) each had a hat trick last night, the 11th and 12th hat tricks of the season and the first pair in one game. They are the first Gopher teammates to record hat tricks in the same game since three did so on Nov. 1, 2002.

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January 21, 2021

Limoges leads PSU – Penn State is 7-2-0 after an 0-5-0 start, a resurgence fueled by leading goal and point scorer Alex Limoges (Winchester, Va./Waterloo-USHL). The senior captain, who produced a 50-point season in 2018-19, has goals in six of the last nine games for the Nittany Lions entering tonight’s meeting with Wisconsin. Like other captains this season, his role has been even more challenging in the face of the pandemic – and Limoges has risen to the task. “What he does off the ice as a leader is even far greater than what he does on the ice,” said head coach Guy Gadowsky, high praise for one of the nation’s leading active scorers. | Onward State: Limoges’ leadership key in unusual season

Most Career Points, Active Players
148 – Odeen Tufto, Quinnipiac
127 – Brandon Kruse, Bowling Green (VGK)
117 – Alex Limoges, Penn State
111 – Max Johnson, Bowling Green
106 – Jordan Kawaguchi, North Dakota

Must Read/See/Hear Material

Flo Hockey: Lang on the rise of Yellow Jackets hockey
Minnesota Hockey: Backyard rink powers college hockey’s top scorer
The Gazette: Neck injury turned into a blessing for Union alum Varady

Today’s six games include conference matchups in Atlantic Hockey, the Big Ten and ECAC Hockey … The New York Rangers have employed a defense comprised of six NCAA alumni in each of their last two games; the last NHL team with an all-NCAA defense was Carolina in 2016-17 … 61 players are averaging at least a point per game, although some have played as few as three games.

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January 19, 2021

Miami magic for RMU – Robert Morris carries the nation’s longest active winning streak (six games) into tonight’s game at Mercyhurst, with the No. 17 Colonials enjoying the best start and highest ranking in program history. Freshman Randy Hernandez (Miami, Fla./Brooks-AJHL) has fueled RMU in its current run, with 10 points in the six wins – only Quinnipiac’s Odeen Tufto (Chaska, Minn./Sioux City-USHL) has more nationally in that time (12). Hernandez’s 16 points on the season put him more than halfway to the Colonials’ freshman record of 27, set in 2006 by Chris Margott.

Must Read/See/Hear Material

Wisconsin State Journal: Rowe rewards Badgers’ faith in freshman goalie
FSU Torch: The golden boy

Boston College is No. 1 in the polls for the first time in five years. The Eagles are the third team to hold the No. 1 ranking this season (Minnesota, North Dakota) … Junior Mark Senden (Medina, Minn./Fargo-USHL) assisted on four of North Dakota’s five goals yesterday; he had five points in his first 13 games of the season … On this date in 1898, Brown beat Harvard, 6-0, in the first game between active rivals in U.S. college hockey.

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January 18, 2021

Senior moment for DU – While freshmen have starred early in the season for Denver, it was the senior class that combined for seven points in last night’s 4-1 win vs. No. 2 North Dakota – the Pioneers’ second win in three games against the Fighting Hawks this season. The two teams meet again tonight in Denver. Senior Ryan Barrow (Banff, Alta./Langley-BCHL) started the scoring last night and added an assist, and his six points through 13 games put him on pace for a career high in offensive numbers. Barrow is one of seven Pioneer seniors with more than 100 games played in his career, a sign that they have experience along with the talent infusion provided by their freshman class. | Tonight’s game is on CBSSN

Must Read/See/Hear Material

Grand Forks Herald: College hockey world reflects on Lonnie Laffen’s impact
Star Tribune: Resurgent Gophers quieting anxious voices

Each of today’s three games involves a top-10 team … Boston University, which snapped Massachusetts’ seven-game winning streak yesterday, hosts the Minutemen this afternoon … Returning Hobey Baker finalist David Farrance (Victor, N.Y./U.S. NTDP/NSH) leads the nation with 2.00 points per game through three games for the Terriers … Five teams have 10 or more wins; Massachusetts and North Dakota both have a chance to join that group today.

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January 15, 2021

Mitens fits – Lake Superior State has raced to a 6-1-3 start this season and ventures into conference play beginning tonight with a home series against WCHA favorite Minnesota State. The Lakers have had fantastic goaltending from senior Mareks Mitens (Ventspils, Latvia/Aston-NAHL), whose .941 save percentage ranks eighth nationally. While he shared the net in his first two college seasons, Mitens took over as LSSU’s No. 1 goaltender last year, and as he prepares for his 80th career game tonight he is among the nation’s most experienced netminders.

Most Career Games, Active Goaltenders
98 – Dávid Hrenák, St. Cloud State
94 – Logan Drackett, RIT
84 – Brian Wilson, Niagara
83 – Zach Driscoll, Bemidji State
82 – Matt Murray, Massachusetts
81 – Anton Martinsson, Providence
79 – Mareks Mitens, Lake Superior State
78 – Keith Petruzzelli, Quinnipiac

Must Read/See/Hear Material

Seamore Sports: Mike Snee on College Hockey Inc.’s mission
Boston Globe: Leaman navigated an obstacle course en route to gold
N.E. Hockey Journal: McLaughlin’s leadership bolsters stacked BC squad
The Hockey Masterclass: Northeastern’s Devon Levi
WCAX: From Castleton to Edmonton
The Rink Live: Hirose already looks like a seasoned veteran
The Rink Live: Glover responds to benching for WMU
Philadelphia Inquirer: Farabee and the Flyers had a big opening night

The NHL dropped the puck on its 2020-21 season Wednesday with nearly 300 NCAA alumni on opening night rosters. See all NCAA alumni in any NHL game with CHI’s NHL Matchup Tool … Four World Junior Championship participants are expected to be in action as Northeastern visits Boston College (7 p.m. ET, NESN/TSN2); unfortunately Husky goalie Devon Levi (Dollard-Des-Ormeaux, Que./Carleton Place-CCHL/FLA) is injured, preventing a gold-medal rematch against Spencer Knight (Darien, Conn./U.S. NTDP/FLA) … Three teams are averaging more than four goals per game, all in Hockey East (UMass Lowell, Boston University, Boston College).

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January 11, 2021

Kleven provides spark – Seventeen World Junior Championship gold medalists returned to action for their NCAA teams over the weekend, with North Dakota’s Tyler Kleven (Fargo, N.D./U.S. NTDP/OTT) scoring the first goal in the Fighting Hawks’ 3-0 win at Colorado College Sunday night. It marked a fifth straight win for UND, which closes out the series with CC tonight in a rare Monday night game. Kleven was one of six U.S. teammates to score in their return to NCAA hockey, showing the kind of spark these players often provide as they come back from international competition.

U.S. World Junior Players with Goals this Weekend
Matty Beniers, Michigan
Brett Berard, Providence
Cole Caufield, Wisconsin
Tyler Kleven, North Dakota
Patrick Moynihan, Providence
Landon Slaggert, Notre Dame

Longest Active Winning Streak
7 – Massachusetts
6 – Robert Morris
5 – Michigan Tech
5 – North Dakota

Must Read/See/Hear Material

The Rink Live: UMD’s Kaiser shrugs off comparisons
The Athletic: Q&A with Jack LaFontaine
The Athletic: Q&A with Drew Helleson
Pucks in Deep Podcast: AIC’s Eric Otto

All 51 teams that expect to play this season now have games under their belt, with Boston University completing the field this weekend … Wisconsin handed No. 1 Minnesota its first loss of the season on Saturday … Arizona State freshman Matthew Kopperud (Denver, Colo./Dubuque-USHL), who has two goals in each of four games against Notre Dame, leads the nation with 12 goals on the season … Thursday through Sunday, 14 of 40 games went to overtime (35%); 23 were decided by one goal (58%).

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January 8, 2021

SCSU’s flying Finn – In what may be the season’s most compelling slate of games, Friday’s action features top-20 matchups and rivalries – and in the case of No. 6 St. Cloud State visiting No. 5 Minnesota Duluth, both. St. Cloud State stands first in the NCHC thanks in part to big contributions from freshman Veeti Miettinen (Espoo, Finland/Kiekko-Espoo U20/TOR). The 5-foot-9, 160-pound Miettinen has goals in five straight games, including two goals and an assist in last Sunday’s 3-1 win vs. UMD. He has been skating alongside sophomore countryman Jami Krannila (Nokia, Finland/Sioux Falls-USHL), the latest in a long line of Finns who have had success at SCSU. | Tonight’s game is on CBSSN

Most Points Per Game, Freshmen
1.40 – Alex Campbell, Clarkson (NSH)
1.25 – Alex Jefferies, Merrimack (NYI)
1.25 – Thomas Bordeleau, Michigan (SJS)
1.18 – Veeti Miettinen, St. Cloud State (TOR)
1.17 – Nikita Nesterenko, Boston College (MIN)

Must Read/See/Hear Material

Burlington Free Press: Age just a number for UVM’s Dovar Tinling
Associated Press: College hockey teams changing on the fly on, off ice
The Blade: Rise of Columbus hockey leads to new pipeline for BGSU
The Ron Fogarty Podcast: Episode 2
Huskies Hockey Insider Podcast: SCSU assistant coach Nick Oliver

Saturday’s slate features 16 games, the busiest day of the season thus far … Massachusetts defenseman Matthew Kessel (Bloomfield Hills, Mich./Sioux Falls-USHL/STL) moved into a tie for the national lead with his seventh and eighth goals Wednesday night; he has seven goals in UMass’s seven-game winning streak … St. Lawrence got its second win in just its third game of the year Thursday night, and is already halfway to last season’s win total of four … On this date in 2010, a crowd of 38,472 packed Fenway Park to see Boston University defeat Boston College, 3-2.

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January 7, 2021

Buhl, SLU start strong – St. Lawrence, which won four games all of last year, started this season 1-0-1 against a ranked Quinnipiac team and returns to the ice tonight at Colgate for the first of three games in four days vs. the Raiders. Sophomore Cameron Buhl (South St. Paul, Minn./Minnesota Magicians-NAHL) had points in each game against the Bobcats and is already more than halfway toward last year’s season total of five points. The Minnesotan is in his second year in New York’s North Country, after starring for four years at South St. Paul High School and three more with the NAHL’s Minnesota Magicians. | Tonight’s game is on ESPN+

Must Read/See/Hear Material

Wisconsin State Journal: Ceulemans bringing top-10 NHL draft potential to Badgers
CBC.ca: Is the U.S. taking over world juniors?

UMass goaltender Matt Murray (St. Albert, Alta./Fargo-USHL) tied the national lead with his ninth win of the season Wednesday, a 4-0 shutout of New Hampshire … It was the seventh straight win for the Minutemen … Sophomore Braeden Tuck (Calgary, Alta./Trail-BCHL) scored his third goal of the year to give Sacred Heart an OT win vs. Air Force Wednesday in a game played at Niagara; Tuck had 28 points but only five goals as a freshman … Bowling Green puts its eight-game winning streak up against Bemidji State in the WCHA opener for the Beavers tonight.

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January 6, 2021

Master at Canisius – Canisius came back from a COVID-related pause to sweep Mercyhurst last weekend and stands 3-1-0 entering three games the next four days vs. RIT. Sophomore Keaton Mastrodonato (Powell River, B.C./Alberni Valley-BCHL) leads the way with three goals and five points, including 1-1—2 in each game against Mercyhurst. Mastrodonato shared the national lead in shorthanded goals a year ago, when three of his 10 tallies came while the Golden Griffins were down a man. He and the team are enjoying their fast start after struggling out of the gate last year – after a 2-12-0 first half, the Golden Griffins went 8-8-6 the rest of the way.

Must Read/See/Hear Material

Wisconsin State Journal: Gorniak’s role changes from narrow to ‘unlimited’
The Athletic: Why Moynihan is ‘a glue guy’ for Team USA
N.Y. Times: Top prospects take unconventional paths to World Juniors
The Hockey News: Boldy has been a do-everything guy for U.S.
USCHO Spotlight: RMU’s Derek Schooley

22 NCAA players captured World Junior gold with the U.S. Tuesday night … Four games are on today’s schedule: three Atlantic Hockey contests and one in Hockey East.

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January 5, 2021

Going for gold – College hockey takes a fitting day off Tuesday as attention turns to Edmonton and the gold medal game between Canada and the U.S. at the IIHF World Junior Championship (9:30 p.m. ET, NHL Network/TSN). Twenty-five NCAA players are on the two rosters in what promises to be a historic night regardless of the outcome. Consider:

• Tonight will likely mark the most NCAA players ever to appear in a gold medal game (previous high was 20 in 2017).
• The 22 NCAA players on the U.S. would be the most ever to win gold (previous high was 20 NCAA players on the 2017 U.S. team).
• The three NCAA players on Canada would match the most to win gold for the Canadians since four were on the 2006 team (also three in 2018 and ’07).
• Northeastern freshman Devon Levi (Dollard-Des-Ormeaux, Que./Carleton Place-CCHL/FLA) would be the first NCAA goaltender ever to lead Canada to a gold medal (Norm Foster in 1985 and Colton Point in 2018 won gold in backup roles).

Must Read/See/Hear Material

Sun Devil Hockey: Johnny Walker’s Michigan goal
The Hockey News: Zegras goes for gold as an all-time U.S. great
The Rink Live: Imperfect 10, as Gophers rally past ASU

The gold medal game includes matchups of NCAA teammates: Alex Newhook vs. Matt Boldy/Drew Helleson/Spencer Knight (Boston College), Devon Levi vs. Sam Colangelo (Northeastern) and Dylan Holloway vs. Cole Caufield/Alex Turcotte (Wisconsin) … It’s the first time any of those three schools have had players on both sides of a gold medal game … Providence head coach Nate Leaman, who leads an all-NCAA staff for Team USA, could become the third coach to win both NCAA and World Junior titles (Mike Eaves and Dean Blais) … More than 400 NCAA alumni are on NHL training camp rosters, including 48 who played college hockey last season … The “Michigan” goal by Arizona State’s Johnny Walker (Phoenix, Ariz./Chicago-USHL) was his first goal of the season and 61st of his career, 14 more than the next closest active player … UMass Lowell junior Chase Blackmun (Hudson, Wis./Cedar Rapids-USHL) recorded the season’s sixth hat trick – and first by a defenseman – in Monday’s 9-5 win vs. Maine.

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January 4, 2021

Perfect 10? – Today’s four-game college hockey slate includes Minnesota’s bid to start 10-0-0 for the first time since 1939-40 and just the third time in the program’s 100-year history. The Golden Gophers improved to 9-0-0 Sunday with a 4-1 win against Arizona State, despite trailing for the first time all season and surrendering their first power-play goal of the year. Junior Sampo Ranta (Naantali, Finland/Sioux City-USHL/COL) had a pair of goals in the win and now shares the team lead with six tallies this season. Ranta is just the second Finn to suit up for Minnesota, following in the footsteps of NHLer Erik Haula. | Tonight’s game is on FOX Sports North/Arizona

10-0-0 Starts, Last 10 Seasons
Cornell, 2019-20
Quinnipiac, 2015-16
Michigan Tech, 2014-15

Must Read/See/Hear Material

Denver Post: Savoie’s scoring talent ‘the best I’ve ever seen’
Star Tribune: As season heats up, NCAA debates will too
Bulldog Insider Podcast: Reviewing 2020

27 NCAA players are competing in the semifinals at the World Junior Championship today in Edmonton (22 for the U.S., three for Canada and two for Russia). At least two and as many as 25 will be in tomorrow’s gold medal game … The top active winning streaks behind Minnesota’s: Bowling Green (8), Massachusetts (6), Michigan Tech (5) … Sunday’s 14 games marked the busiest day of the 2020-21 season thus far … There are no games tomorrow, the only day in the first 10 of January without a game; it ends a stretch of 10 straight days with a game.

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December 31, 2020

Hebert guides RMU – College hockey closes out 2020 with a pair of afternoon games, including an Atlantic Hockey contest with Robert Morris visiting Niagara. RMU is 5-3-0, with two off the losses coming in close games vs. No. 7 Bowling Green. A trio of juniors lead the Colonials offensively, with Grant Hebert (St. Andrews West, Ont./Fargo-USHL) atop the list with 10 points through eight games. Hebert – whose brother, Cameron, is a sophomore on the team – has points in five straight games entering this afternoon’s contest.

Must Read/See/Hear Material

The Athletic: Boldy turned his U.S. heartbreak into stardom
The Athletic: Brink shows passion, skating progress at world juniors
The Telegram: Diliberatore feeling lucky to be playing NCAA hockey this season
StateCollege.com: Gadowsky away from family since July
The Rink Live: Sun Devils’ season-long road trip resumes in Minnesota
CBC.ca: Levi an outlier among Canadian WJC goaltenders

The final game of 2020 is the first of the year for St. Lawrence, hosting Quinnipiac at 4 p.m. ET. The Saints will be the 50th Division I men’s team to take the ice this year, and leave Boston University as the only team yet to play a game that is planning to this season … With a win, Quinnipiac would tie North Dakota (19) for the most wins in calendar year 2020. Cornell (13-1-4, .833) will finish with the best winning percentage … Quinnipiac’s Odeen Tufto (Chaska, Minn./Sioux City-USHL) enters today’s game with the most points of any player in 2020 (36) … Preliminary round play concludes today in the World Junior Championship, with the U.S. team and its 22 NCAA players facing Sweden (9:30 p.m. ET, NHL Network/TSN) … New Year’s Day will feature five NCAA games, including a tripleheader on NESN and the first game of the year on CBSSN.

Most Wins, Calendar Year 2020
19 – North Dakota
18 – American International
18 – Boston College
18 – Bowling Green
18 – Minnesota State
18 – Quinnipiac (plays St. Lawrence today)

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December 28, 2020

Providence marches on – Providence head coach Nate Leaman and two key players are at the World Junior Championship with Team USA, but the Friars have been busy in their absence. Today’s visit to UConn marks Providence’s fourth game since that group departed for camp, with two more vs. Vermont this weekend, and the team is 2-0-1 thus far. The Friars may be uniquely prepared for this situation, particularly behind the bench – associate head coach Ron Rolston has a wealth of experience, including as an NHL head coach. In addition, associate athletic director Rico Blasi is a former Spencer Penrose Award winner as the national coach of the year at Miami.

NCAA Coaches with NHL Head Coaching Experience
Tony Granato, Wisconsin head coach
Andy Murray, Western Michigan head coach
Ron Rolston, Providence associate head coach

Must Read/See/Hear Material

NHL Network: The hockey journey of Nate Leaman
The Rink Live: High hopes, high expectations for Pearson at Michigan
The Rink Live: Ethan Somoza’s journey from SoCal to BSU captain
The Rink Live: Nick Perbix checks in as go-to defenseman for SCSU
AZ Coyotes Insider: A deeper look inside ASU’s future hockey arena
The Telegram: He likes to pass, but Newhook can bury the puck, too
VegasGoldenKnights.com: Kruse carving his own path

Quinnipiac’s Odeen Tufto (Chaska, Minn./Sioux City-USHL) had a six-point weekend to take over the national scoring lead (15 points) and the lead among all scorers in calendar year 2020 (36 points) … American International plays Long Island today, the Yellow Jackets’ third game in as many days.

Most Points, Calendar Year 2020
36 – Odeen Tufto, Quinnipiac
34 – Jordan Kawaguchi, North Dakota
31 – Matt Boldy, Boston College (MIN)
30 – Alex Newhook, Boston College (COL)
29 – Nick Abruzzese, Harvard (TOR)
29 – Jack Drury, Harvard (CAR)
29 – Logan Hutsko, Boston College (FLA)
28 – Cole Caufield, Wisconsin (MTL)

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December 23, 2020

Murray mans the net – On a UMass team with two capable netminders, senior Matt Murray (St. Albert, Alta./Fargo-USHL) has laid early claim to the crease in 2020-21. He enters tonight’s game against UConn with a 4-2-0 record, a .921 save percentage, and having made four straight starts. Murray – who shares the name of the NHL goaltender now with the Ottawa Senators – has played at least 20 games in each of his seasons in Amherst and ranks fourth among active goaltenders in career wins. | Today’s game is on NESN

Most Career Wins, Active Goaltenders
60 – Matthew Galajda, Cornell*
57 – Dryden McKay, Minnesota State
53 – Dávid Hrenák, St. Cloud State
46 – Matt Murray, Massachusetts
40 – Logan Drackett, RIT * Not playing in 2020-21

Must Read/See/Hear Material

ESPN.com: Inside ASU’s 36-day road trip
Notebook: Craig Smith pledges dependability as he joins Bruins

Thursday there are no Division I men’s hockey games for the first time since Monday, Nov. 30, ending a stretch of 23 straight days.

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December 22, 2020

Call on Calverley – RIT enters today’s meeting with Niagara having scored five or more goals in each of its three wins this season, including the Tigers’ last visit to face the Purple Eagles, on Dec. 6. Leading the goal parade has been junior Will Calverley (Scarborough, Ont./Chilliwack-BCHL), who started the season with a hat trick in RIT’s 8-5 win over Clarkson. That led to Calverley’s first of two Atlantic Hockey Player of the Week honors already this season. He heads into tonight’s game one goal off the national lead, which is currently shared by three freshmen.

National Goal Leaders
7 – Riese Gaber, North Dakota
7 – Matthew Kopperud, Arizona State
7 – Carter Savoie, Denver (EDM)
6 – Will Calverley, RIT
6 – Six others

Must Read/See/Hear Material

The Athletic: The big moment tie that unites friends
Centre Daly Times: How Erik Autio paved the way for Finnish players at Penn State

Omaha, which was picked sixth in the NCHC preseason poll, exits the league’s Pod in second place in the conference, one point off North Dakota’s lead … Holy Cross and Quinnipiac begin a home-and-home series tonight in Hamden, Conn. … Exhibition play begins today at the World Junior Championship; the U.S. team, which features 22 NCAA players, faces Finland at 9:30 p.m. ET (NHL Network/TSN).

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December 21, 2020

Hats off to Evans – Uconn, which upset Boston College in its most recent outing, returns to the ice today for a home game against UMass Lowell. Junior Jonny Evans (North Delta, B.C./Powell River-BCHL) had two points against B.C. and leads the Huskies in scoring with four points through four games. Evans have shown flashes of brilliance in his first two years in Storrs, particularly last season when he was one of three players nationally to record two hat tricks. He has points in three of four games so far this year.

Must Read/See/Hear Material

The UConn Blog: How UConn built its Russian pipeline
Bulldog Insider Podcast: Duluth photographer Tyler Schank
SBN College Hockey: Eye on the future: Wyatt Kaiser
Midco Sports Network: Alex Heinert’s NCHC Pod farewell

The NCHC Pod closes up shop today after 38 games at Omaha’s Baxter Arena in a 21-day span … 17 players are within three points of the national scoring lead … Six of 15 games on Saturday and Sunday went to overtime.

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December 19, 2020

Northeastern scored 14 goals in its first two games, an offensive output bolstered by contributions from defensemen. Junior Jordan Harris (Haverhill, Mass./Kimball Union/MTL) and sophomore Jayden Struble (Cumberland, R.I./St. Sebastian’s), who combined for seven points, are a pair of Montreal Canadiens draft picks on the Husky blueline who hope to be teammates well into the future. Harris led the team with five points and was named Hockey East Player of the Week entering this weekend’s home-and-home with Providence. | Montreal Canadiens: Harris starts off strong | Both games this weekend are on NESN

Must Read/See/Hear Material

New England Hockey Journal: For Harris and potent Huskies, power play is a distinct advantage
Wisconsin State Journal: Badger signing class leans heavily on in-state talent
CBS Chicago: Hockey and Harvard

Vermont is scheduled to open its season Saturday at UMass, which will leave Boston University and St. Lawrence as the only teams yet to play a game among those planning to compete in 2020-21 … Minnesota Duluth faces North Dakota Saturday and will become the first team to wrap up its time in the NCHC Pod … The Big Ten released the rest of its schedule on Friday … Five games are televised and available nationally Saturday.

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December 18, 2020

A rare treat – Among the casualties of the pandemic have been most of college hockey’s marquee non-conference games, with multiple conferences opting to keep all competition between league members. Tonight and tomorrow offer a rare treat, however, as ranked foes Bowling Green and Quinnipiac meet in Hamden, Conn. Both ended last season among the hottest teams in the nation and have picked up where they left off – dating back to last year, Bowling Green is 14-1-2 in its last 17, while Quinnipiac is 17-4-1 in its last 22. Experienced offensive talents fuel both teams’ success, including goal-scoring leaders Max Johnson (Lakeville, Minn./Sioux Falls-USHL) of BGSU and Wyatt Bongiovanni (Birmingham, Mich./Muskegon-USHL) of QU. | Both games are on ESPN+

Best Winning Pct., Calendar Year 2020
.842 – American International
.833 – Minnesota State
.833 – Cornell
.763 – Quinnipiac
.760 – Boston College
.740 – Minnesota
.729 – Minnesota Duluth
.727 – Bemidji State
.712 – North Dakota
.676 – Rensselaer

Must Read/See/Hear Material

Glass & Out Podcast: AIC’s Eric Lang
Boston Globe: Hockey East commissioner Metcalf is building season from scratch
The Athletic: Owen Power talks Blackhawks, 2021 NHL Draft
Lansing State Journal: Joshua fueled by hatred from opponents

North Dakota’s Jordan Kawaguchi (Abbotsford, B.C./Chilliwack-BCHL) leads all scorers in calendar year 2020 with 32 points, including two overtime goals already this season … Upper Peninsula rivals Northern Michigan and Michigan Tech open a home-and-home tonight in Houghton … Miami freshman Ludvig Persson (Hindas, Sweden/Lone Star-NAHL) has posted back-to-back shutouts for the Red Hawks; he’s the only freshman in the nation with a shutout this year … Saturday will feature five TV games available nationally, with start times ranging from 1 p.m. to 10 p.m. ET.

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December 17, 2020

Preston for the win – Ohio State welcomes Arizona State for a pair to close out the 2020 portion of its schedule, coming off an inspiring come-from-behind victory against Notre Dame. Junior Quinn Preston (Trenton, Mich./Dubuque-USHL) scored two third-period power-play goals to lift the Buckeyes in that game. Preston was tied for fourth among Big Ten players with 15 goals last season, trailing only Wisconsin’s Cole Caufield (Stevens Point, Wis./U.S. NTDP/MTL) among returning players. Preston, who took an OSU service trip to Costa Rica in the summer of 2019, has goals in all three Ohio State victories this season.

Must Read/See/Hear Material

FloHockey: A hockey odyssey for UAH Aussie Tyrone Bronte
The Rink Live: Cruikshank leads CC with Olympic parents as role models
Union Leader: UNH’s Crookshank embraces high expectations
The Rink Live: LaFontaine got emotional after sweep at Michigan
TSN.ca: Feaster making her own hockey history

Three of four games yesterday went to overtime, and all four were decided by one goal … “Only” two games on today’s schedule, with the Miami-Denver nightcap airing on Altitude … Arizona State’s 36-day road trip hasn’t held the team back in the classroom … The Sun Devils revealed renderings of their new arena yesterday.

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December 16, 2020

Northern Michigan makes its season debut tonight, hosting Ferris State, led by the nation’s top returning goal scorer. Junior Griffin Loughran (West Seneca, N.Y./Fargo-USHL) tallied 23 times in 2019-20, which trailed only San Jose Sharks signee John Leonard of Massachusetts (27). Loughran, listed at 5-foot-7 and 145 pounds, plays with plenty of grit as well – he was also second nationally in penalty minutes last season with 93.

Top Returning Goal Scorers from 2019-20
23 – Griffin Loughran, Northern Michigan
20 – Johnny Walker, Arizona State
20 – Cameron Wright, Bowling Green
19 – Cole Caufield, Wisconsin (MTL)
19 – Logan Hutsko, Boston College (FLA)
19 – Alex Newhook, Boston College (COL)
19 – Tyce Thompson, Providence (NJD)

From College Hockey Inc.: National Pronunciation Guide (.pdf)

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American International’s Eric Otto(Burnsville, Minn./Chicago-USHL) made his NCAA debut last night against Army West Point after missing all of last season with Hodgkin’s lymphoma; he had an assist and was +2 … Hockey East announced changes to the 2021 Hockey East Tournament yesterday due to the pandemic.

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December 15, 2020

Action resumes in Omaha’s NCHC Pod today, and the nightcap features two teams coming off their first wins of the season: Colorado College vs. Miami. Both got impressive goaltending performances by freshmen to secure their first victories. Colorado College rookie Dominic Basse (Alexandria, Va./Youngstown-USHL/CHI) stopped 30 shots in an upset of Minnesota Duluth Sunday, a day after Miami’s Ludvig Persson (Hindas, Sweden/Lone Star-NAHL) shut out Omaha, 1-0, with a 30-save effort of his own. Both freshmen have shared their nets thus far, but might get a chance at consecutive starts given their recent success. | Tonight’s game is on AT&T SportsNet

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Of the 18 shutouts thus far this season, Persson is the only freshman to record one … 13 Bobcats had at least a point in Quinnipiac’s 9-2 win against Sacred Heart last night; the two teams meet again tonight … Two Atlantic Hockey contenders play their third game of the season tonight as Army West Point visits American International.

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December 14, 2020

Tough to stop – Quinnipiac is poised to open its season today in the only game on the schedule, facing in-state rival Sacred Heart in the first of a two-game series. The Bobcats boast the nation’s leading active career scorer in senior captain Odeen Tufto (Chaska, Minn./Sioux City-USHL), who has led the team in scoring each of the last three years. He enters this campaign with a chance to become the first player in Quinnipiac history to lead the team in scoring four times.

Most Career Points, Active Players
121 – Odeen Tufto, Quinnipiac
116 – Brandon Kruse, Bowling Green (VGK)
112 – Alex Limoges, Penn State
106 – Max Johnson, Bowling Green
103 – Jack Billings, Niagara
99 – Logan Hutsko, Boston College (FLA)
99 – Jordan Kawaguchi, North Dakota
96 – Johnny Walker, Arizona State

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Four of Sunday’s nine games featured come-from-behind victories … Seven teams have played eight or more games on the year: the seven Big Ten teams and Arizona State.

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December 12, 2020

Denver has won its last two games in the NCHC Pod entering today’s showdown with Minnesota Duluth, thanks in large part to dazzling performances from freshmen Carter Savoie (St. Albert, Alta./Sherwood Park-AJHL/EDM) and Mike Benning (St. Albert, Alta./Sherwood Park-AJHL/FLA). The duo is new to college hockey, but they’ve been teammates for years, dating to youth hockey in St. Albert, Alta. Savoie, a left wing, has goals in all five games thus far – no other freshman in the last nine years has scored in more than his first three NCAA games. Benning, meanwhile, leads the nation’s defensemen with seven points through five games, with three multiple-point games. | The Rink Live: Savoie and Benning | Today’s game is on Altitude

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With 11 games and one exhibition scheduled, this is the busiest day of the season to this point … Four games today (and three tomorrow) are on national or regional sports networks … Five of six games yesterday were decided by one goal.

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December 11, 2020

Familiar name leads UNH – Maine and New Hampshire open their seasons tonight in Durham, N.H., in one of college hockey’s top rivalries. While there won’t be a white-out crowd to welcome their teams, there will be a familiar sight for the hosts: a Kelleher leading the offense. Senior captain Charlie Kelleher (Longmeadow, Mass./Sioux City-USHL) has followed in the footsteps of older brother Tyler, who was an All-American at UNH in 2017. Charlie is among a formidable group of returning forwards for the Wildcats – they return 84% of their goals from last season, second nationally behind only Minnesota (93%). | Tonight and tomorrow’s games are on NESN+

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After two postponements earlier this week, Ferris State hopes to open its season tonight at Bowling Green … Five players share the national lead with six goals, and two are in action tonight: Arizona State’s Matthew Kopperud (Denver, Colo./Dubuque-USHL) and Robert Morris’s Jordan Timmons (Bridgeville, Pa./Cedar Rapids-USHL) … Denver freshman Carter Savoie (St. Albert, Alta./Sherwood Park-AJHL/EDM) has scored a goal in all five games he has played, the longest goal streak of the young season; only Minnesota senior Scott Reedy (Prior Lake, Minn./U.S. NTDP/SJS), who has scored in six of his eight games, has scored in more games overall … 12 games and one exhibition are slated for Saturday, the busiest day of the season to date.

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December 9, 2020

Balanced attack – Holy Cross sophomore forward Alex Peterson (Lansdale, Pa./Amarillo-NAHL) has points in all four games he’s played this year, including his first two goals in the Crusaders’ 6-3 win against Sacred Heart on Sunday. He is one of 10 Crusaders with a goal, leading a balanced attack entering their home game against Bentley tonight. Picked eighth in the Atlantic Hockey, Holy Cross already has wins against Bentley and Sacred Heart – both pegged for the top three in the league. | Tonight’s game is on FloHockey

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Minnesota, which closes out the first half tonight at Michigan (6:30 p.m. ET, BTN), is 7-0-0 for the first time since an 8-0-0 start in 1987-88 … The Gophers have not trailed at any point this season … The five teams with perfect records are from the states of Minnesota (Minnesota, Minnesota Duluth, St. Cloud State) or Massachusetts (Boston College, American International) … Legendary Michigan player and head coach Red Berenson celebrated his 81st birthday yesterday.

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December 8, 2020

“C”-ing double – No. 1 North Dakota is off to a fast 3-0-0 start entering today’s game with No. x Denver, including an OT win in Friday’s meeting between these same teams. Senior captain Jordan Kawaguchi (Abbotsford, B.C./Chilliwack-BCHL) scored the winner in that game, one of four points through three games for the top returning scorer from 2019-20. Kawaguchi put up 45 points last season to lead UND and become a Hobey Hat Trick finalist – the first of those to return to college hockey since Jimmy Vesey in 2015-16. Kawaguchi sees a familiar face wearing the other “C” against Denver – he and Kohen Olischefski (Abbotsford, B.C./Chilliwack-BCHL) were teammates both in junior hockey and all the way back to youth hockey in Abbotsford, B.C. | Today’s game is on Altitude

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Today’s schedule features four games, three coming from the NCHC pod in Omaha … Colorado College is set to make its season debuts today … Yesterday Minnesota State’s Dryden McKay (Downers Grove, Ill./Madison-USHL) posted his second shutout of the season (in three starts) to tie Boston College’s Spencer Knight (Darien, Conn./U.S. NTDP/FLA) for the national lead … TSN added three games to its December schedule.

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December 7, 2020

Pietila powers MTU – Michigan Tech handed preseason WCHA favorite Minnesota State a 3-1 defeat Sunday behind 43 saves from sophomore goaltender Blake Pietila (Howell, Mich./Cedar Rapids-USHL) in his first career win. Blake, whose twin brother Logan (Howell, Mich./Dubuque-USHL) is also a Huskies sophomore, made two starts last season while yesterday marked his first appearance of 2020-21. Michigan Tech returns 83% of its goals from last season (third in the nation) and figures to be one of Minnesota State’s challengers in the WCHA. The two teams meet again today at 5 p.m. ET in Houghton.

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Robert Morris junior Jordan Timmons (Bridgeville, Pa./Cedar Rapids-USHL), who had no goals in his first 36 collegiate games, shares the national lead with six goals this season, including a hat trick in the first 9:21 of Saturday’s win vs. Air Force … North Dakota’s Tyler Kleven (Fargo, N.D./U.S. NTDP/OTT) and Ferris State’s Logan Stein (Suwanee, Ga./Waterloo-USHL) have been added to the U.S. National Junior Team Preliminary Roster … 25 NCAA players are among those who have reported to U.S. training camp at USA Hockey Arena in Plymouth, Mich.

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December 5, 2020

Local leads Lakers – Lake Superior State has jumped out to a 3-0-1 start entering this weekend’s series with Alabama Huntsville, fueled by three goals and five points from junior Ashton Calder (Sault Ste. Marie, Mich./Lincoln-USHL). Those totals include a highlight reel tally, but not the deciding shootout winner in the lone “tie” on the Lakers’ record. The local product from Sault Ste. Marie spent three years away from home in junior hockey – in Cloquet, Minn.; Surrey, B.C.; and Lincoln, Neb. – before returning and has been a productive offensive player for the Lakers from day one. He leads all current Lakers with 20 career goals and 55 career points.

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Today’s nine games mark the busiest day of the season thus far; Sunday also has nine games on the slate … Three teams are scheduled to make their season debuts: Mercyhurst, Merrimack and Niagara … Wisconsin’s Cole Caufield (Stevens Point, Wis./U.S. NTDP/MTL) claimed the national scoring lead with three points last night; three freshmen are within three points of his lead … North Dakota’s Jake Sanderson (Whitefish, Mont./U.S. NTDP/OTT), the highest drafted player in college hockey at No. 5 overall, scored his first career goal last night.

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December 4, 2020

SHU starts up – Among the eight games on today’s slate is the first of the season for Sacred Heart, which saw a special campaign cut short last March. The Pioneers won a program-best 21 games and earned the school’s first top-20 ranking. Leading the returnees is sophomore Braeden Tuck (Calgary, Alta./Trail-BCHL), Atlantic Hockey’s Rookie of the Year in 2020. Tuck finished sixth nationally among freshmen in points (28) and fourth in assists (23), marking the third straight year that a SHU rookie posted 25-plus points.

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After scoring two goals in its first four games combined, Arizona State has scored 17 goals in its last three games (all wins) … Omaha became the first team this year to score 10 goals in a game last night, thanks to a six-goal third period … Penn State, meanwhile, put nine on the board in its 9-5 win … Wisconsin’s Linus Weissbach (Goteborg, Sweden/Tri-City-USHL/BUF) headlined the Hockey Commissioners’ Association honorees for November … Five games tonight are available nationally on TV; fans can watch college hockey from 5:30 p.m. to approx. 10:45 p.m. ET … Canadian fans can catch Minnesota-Michigan State on TSN2 (8 p.m. ET).

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December 3, 2020

ASU’s road show – College hockey’s only team in the Southwest, Arizona State, won’t get to enjoy that warm climate much this season as it embarks on an all-road schedule. An independent, the Sun Devils entered into a scheduling agreement with the Big Ten that sends them to the seven Big Ten schools for 24 games. After an 0-4 start, they found their footing last weekend with a sweep of Wisconsin. Rookie Matthew Kopperud (Denver, Colo./Dubuque-USHL) scored in both games and leads the team with five points entering tonight’s game at Notre Dame. | Tonight’s game is on NHL Network

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The five Division I programs from the state of Minnesota are a combined 8-1-0 … Ten games in the next three days are available nationally on TV.

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December 2, 2020

First class – ESPNU’s first college hockey game of the season fittingly features a Michigan team whose freshman class has everyone’s attention (at Penn State, 6 p.m. ET). Outlets like ESPN, Sportsnet and The Athletic have all pegged a trio of Wolverine rookies in the top eight of the 2021 NHL Draft class, with each list led by defenseman Owen Power (Mississauga, Ont./Chicago-USHL) at No. 1 overall. Forwards Matty Beniers (Hingham, Mass./U.S. NTDP) and Kent Johnson (Port Moody, B.C./Trail-BCHL) also project as top-10 picks, which could make this the first NCAA team ever with three current players selected in the first round of one draft. Meanwhile, the class features a 2020 first-round pick in Brendan Brisson (Manhattan Beach, Calif./Chicago-USHL/VGK) and three other NHL draft picks. | ESPN.com: The best recruiting class ever? | Tonight’s game is on ESPNU

Most Current Players Taken in First Round, One NCAA Team
2 – Ohio State, 2001 (Dave Steckel, R.J. Umberger)
2 – Boston College, 2000 (Krys Kolanos, Brooks Orpik)
2 – Michigan State, 1990 (Bryan Smolinski, Michael Stewart)

Most First-Round Picks, One Recruiting Class
4 – Boston University, 2016-17 (Kieffer Bellows, Dante Fabbro, Clayton Keller, Jake Oettinger)
4 – Minnesota, 2006-07 (David Fischer, Erik Johnson, Jim O’Brien, Kyle Okposo)
4 – North Dakota, 2005-06 (Joe Finley, Brian Lee, T.J. Oshie, Jonathan Toews)

Most NHLers, One Recruiting Class
6 – Michigan State, 1988-89 (Rod Brind’Amour, Jim Cummins, Joby Messier, Dwayne Norris, Peter White, Jason Woolley)
6 – Michigan State, 1983-84 (Bob Essensa, Norm Foster, Don McSween, Mitch Messier, Jeff Parker, Craig Simpson)
6 – North Dakota, 1981-82 (Jim Archibald, Dave Donnelly, James Patrick, Gord Sherven, Dave Tippett, Rick Zombo)
6 – Denver, 1970-71 (Rick Bragnalo, Mike Busniuk, Peter McNab, Rob Palmer, Richard Preston, Vic Venasky)
6 – North Dakota, 2005-06 (Taylor Chorney, Joe Finley, Brian Lee, T.J. Oshie, Jonathan Toews, Matt Watkins)

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There are three games on today’s schedule … Minnesota Duluth’s second game in as many nights features the NCAA champions from 2017 (Denver) and ’18 and ’19 (UMD) … Andrew Dumaresque (Hammond Plains, Nova Scotia/Langley-BCHL) scored Atlantic Hockey’s first overtime goal of the 3-on-3 era in Holy Cross’s win at Bentley last night.

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December 1, 2020

Veteran Falcons – Today’s four-game slate includes a non-conference meeting between Bowling Green and Robert Morris, the first Division I action of the season for the visiting Falcons. They were one of the hottest teams down the stretch last year, going 8-0-2 in the last 10 games before the season was canceled, and return 96 goals from last year’s roster, the most in the nation. Bowling Green’s 10-member senior class includes dynamic forwards Connor Ford (Pittsburgh, Pa./Sioux City-USHL), Max Johnson (Lakeville, Minn./Sioux Falls-USHL), Brandon Kruse (Saline, Mich./Brookings-NAHL) and Cameron Wright (Newmarket, Ont./St. Michael’s-OJHL). Today’s game starts a busy non-conference December for Bowling Green, which will play seven games in the next 19 days and wraps up the month hosting Robert Morris on Dec. 29.

Nation’s largest senior classes
10 – Bowling Green, Vermont
9 – Arizona State, Denver, Penn State

Released today: The 2020-21 CHI Media Kit (.pdf) includes all sorts of facts and figures for the 2020-21 season.

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Five teams – Bentley, Minnesota Duluth, Omaha, St. Cloud State and Western Michigan – open their seasons today … The Bentley-Holy Cross game is the Atlantic Hockey opener for both teams … Five teams that have played a game have won every game: Minnesota, American International, Boston College, Bowling Green and Minnesota State.

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November 30, 2020

Champs open NCHC “Pod” – Minnesota Duluth, winners of the last two NCAA championships, will help open what is likely college hockey’s most unique setting for 2020-21 on Tuesday – the NCHC “Pod” in Omaha. Familiar faces Scott Perunovich and Hunter Shepard, among others, are gone for the Bulldogs, but the cupboard is hardly bare. UMD is the only team in the country to return two All-Americans in forwards Noah Cates (Stillwater, Minn./Omaha-USHL/PHI) and Cole Koepke (Hermantown, Minn./Sioux City-USHL/TBL), who combined for 66 points in 34 games last season.

Returning AHCA All-Americans
Noah Cates, Minnesota Duluth (West – second team, 2019-20)
David Farrance, Boston University (East – first team, 2019-20)
Jordan Kawaguchi, North Dakota (West – first team, 2019-20)
Cole Koepke, Minnesota Duluth (West – second team, 2019-20)
Dryden McKay, Minnesota State (West – first team, 2019-20)

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The next day without a scheduled NCAA Division I men’s hockey game is Christmas Eve … 34 teams (of 52 participating this season) received votes in this week’s USCHO.com Poll … Michigan and Wisconsin account for seven of the nation’s top eight scorers (Nick Prkusic of Robert Morris is the outlier).

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November 27, 2020

Logan leads BC – The busiest day yet of the 2020-21 college hockey season is highlighted by a top-10 matchup, as Boston College and Massachusetts begin a home-and-home in Chestnut Hill. The Eagles are led by senior Logan Hutsko (Tampa, Fla./U.S. NTDP/FLA), whose 90 career points rank tied for sixth among active players. He has put up those impressive numbers and played in 94% of BC’s games after missing nearly a full year before he enrolled due to a neck injury. | Tonight’s game is on NESN, tomorrow’s is on NESN+

Most Career Points, Active Players
Odeen Tufto, Quinnipiac – 121
Brandon Kruse, Bowling Green – 112
Alex Limoges, Penn State – 106
Max Johnson, Bowling Green – 102
Johnny Walker, Arizona State – 96
Logan Hutsko, Boston College – 90
Jordan Kawaguchi, North Dakota – 90
Connor Ford, Bowling Green – 90

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Eight teams are set to open their 2020-21 schedule today … The first three conference games of the Atlantic Hockey season are scheduled for today … Michigan, which hosts Notre Dame tonight, features five of the top six scoring freshmen in the nation.

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November 24, 2020

Gopher goals – Minnesota, which finished last season on an 11-5-3 run, seeks a 4-0-0 start tonight for the first time in six years. The Golden Gophers are an experienced group, with 93% of last year’s goals returning on the roster, the most in the country. Senior Scott Reedy (Prior Lake, Minn./U.S. NTDP/SJS) and junior Sammy Walker (Edina, Minn./Edina HS/TBL) have each tallied twice through three games to lead the team. They are two of the four double-digit goal scorers from last season who are all back for the preseason Big Ten favorites. | Tonight’s game is on BTN

Highest Percentage of Returning Goals
Minnesota – 93%
New Hampshire – 84%
Michigan Tech – 83%
Providence – 82%
Mercyhurst – 81%
Bowling Green – 81%

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Five leagues have released preseason polls, with defending champions favored in four of them … 15 freshmen have scored their first collegiate goals thus far this season, while 111 have made their collegiate debut … This marked the first offseason in more than 20 years that neither Michigan nor Minnesota lost a player early to an NHL contract.