Maine Hockey Journal

Vermont on the opposite ends of the spectrum this past weekend

The Vermont Catamounts had a very interesting weekend.

Vermont, who is tied at the top of the Hockey East standings with Boston University with 13 points, faced the UConn and UMass this weekend. Two teams that no one expects to be at the TD Garden in March for the Hockey East Championships.

On Friday, the Catamounts were upset by the Huskies 2-1 behind Rob Nichols’ 23 save effort. Freshman Spencer Nass scored the game winner midway through the second period. The freshman is the Huskies third leading scorer on the team.

The following night, the results couldn’t be any different for Vermont. They traveled from Hartford, Conn. to Amherst, Mass. and laid a 11 spot on the Minutemen. The Catamounts had two guys scored two goals in Malcolm McKinney and Brady Shaw. Brendan Bradley and Mitch Ferguson each scored their first goals of the season.

Three Things

1. Speaking of the top of the Hockey East Standings

As mentioned above, this weekend teams separated themselves from the rest of the league. Vermont and Boston University have 13 points. Boston University grabbed all four points this weekend with a come from behind 3-2 overtime victory over Maine. The following night, they defeated UConn 5-2. BU is 6-1-1 in Hockey East play while Vermont is 6-3-1. All intents and purposes BU has the advantage with fewer conference games played, but we still haven’t hit Thanksgiving and things will even out.

UMass-Lowell is on the doorstep with 12 points in league play. They took three of four points in South Bend, Ind on Thursday and Friday. They have proved early on this isn’t going to be rebuilding year after losing four of their top six scorers and their starting goalie from last year’s squad.

The next group of teams are Merrimack and Providence with eight points.

2. Friday’s UNH-Providence game rescheduled for Jan. 13

On Friday, there were issues at the Whittemore Center in Durham, N.H. where they had issues with the ice and the game was postponed. Hockey East has since announced the game will be made up on Jan. 13. On Saturday the two teams were able to get in their game at the Whittemore Center where Providence College came away with the 1-0 victory.

3. Welcome Arizona State

I know it’s not Hockey East related, who knows it may, as Arizona State is still looking for a conference in a few years. Hey at one point the Arizona Cardinals were in the NFC East at one point. If you haven’t heard Arizona State has announced they will be fielding an NCAA Team next year. The defending ACHA National Champions will play a hybrid schedule next year between NCAA and ACHA opponents. In 2016-17, they will play as a full NCAA schedule as an independent. The following year in 2017-18 is when they will join a conference where the NCHC is the leading candidate.

They will be the 60 Division I team and now the talk is their more PAC-12 schools ready to follow suit in the near future? With the success of hockey in Southern California the last few years, USC and UCLA are possibilities. University of Colorado would be another ideal candidate with the popularity of college hockey in state. Oregon is another possibility with Nike money supporting them.

How many Hockey East teams will take a getaway weekend the next few years in the middle of the winter to play two games in Arizona?

Games to Watch

1. Minnesota at Boston College, Friday at 7 p.m.

The Golden Gophers come to Boston for two games in Boston. Their first game is against the Boston College Eagles on Friday. Theses two teams arguably have the most talent in college hockey today. BC is coming off wins against UMass and Maine. Minnesota lost to the USA’s National Team Development Program U-18 team.

2. Union at Notre Dame, Friday, 7:30 p.m.

The defending National Champions are in a rutt right now as they are 1-5-1 in their last seven games. The Dutchmen travel to Notre Dame to face the Fight Irish who managed a tie on Friday to UMass-Lowell. This will be a competitive game as booth teams try to get into a groove. The winner will either face Western Michigan or Ohio State in the championship game in the Shillelagh Tournament while the losers face off in the third place game.

3. Colgate at Boston University, Saturday 4 p.m.

Boston University who was just named the number one team in the country by USCHO hosts the No. 9 team in the country in Colgate. The Raiders are a veteran squad full of juniors and seniors with a record of 9-4-1 this season. Expect this game to have plenty of offense.

You must be logged in to post a comment Login