Category Archives: Hockey East

May 20 2013

Mass. College Hockey: BU’s Durocher Signs Contract Extension

By NoontimeSports.com 

Courtesy of the Boston University sports information department, here’s this afternoon’s release about women’s ice hockey head coach Brian Durocher, who signed a contract extension:

BOSTON - After guiding the Boston University women’s ice hockey team to its second trip to the national title game in the last three seasons, head coach Brian Durocher has signed a contract extension to remain at BU through the 2018-19 season, Assistant Vice President and Director of Athletics Mike Lynch announced Monday.

“I’m excited that Coach Durocher has agreed to lead our women’s ice hockey program for many more years to come,” Lynch said. “We knew we hired a terrific coach when he took over the program at its inception nine years ago, but he has exceeded every expectation and continues to elevate the program to new heights each year. It’s incredible how far this team has come in just eight seasons as a varsity program, and that is thanks to Brian’s exceptional leadership.”

Durocher has been at the helm of the women’s ice hockey program since its inaugural season in 2005-06. In eight seasons, Durocher has guided the Terriers to three Hockey East championships, four straight NCAA tournament appearances and two trips to the NCAA title game. He holds a record of 159-93-37 and has won 20 games in each of the last three seasons, including a program-record 28 victories this past season.

“I’d just like to thank Boston University, director of athletics Mike Lynch, his staff, Drew Marrochello and Nancy Lyons for the tremendous support they’ve given to our program and the opportunity for me to remain at a place I love and have a great appreciation for,” Durocher said.

Under Durocher, BU has become the premier program in Hockey East and is consistently among the top five teams in the nation. The Terriers, Hockey East regular-season champions for the second time in 2013, are the only team in Hockey East history to have played for a national championship, doing so in two of the last three seasons. BU has also finished in the top five of both national polls in each of the last three years.

The 2012-13 season was the best in program history, with Durocher guiding the team to a 28-6-3 record. The six losses were a program low and the team’s winning percentage was its highest ever (.797). Durocher garnered national attention, as he was named a finalist for the AHCA Division I Women’s Ice Hockey Coach of the Year award. BU bested six of the other nine teams in the final USCHO.com poll, winning eight games against top-10 opponents. The Terriers boasted four Hockey East All-Stars and two New England Division I All-Stars along with six different 15-goal scorers.

BU will return 18 letter winners from last season’s squad, including four skaters who scored at least 20 points in 2012-13. Starting goaltender Kerrin Sperry, the reigning Hockey East Tournament MVP, will be back between the pipes for her senior season after setting a new program record for career wins with 64. Louise Warren was named captain and classmate Kaleigh Fratkin will be an assistant captain while First-Team All-Star Shannon Doyle and All-Rookie honoree Sarah Lefort will each return.

Apr 25 2013

Mass. College Hockey: Eight Hockey East Teams To Take Part In Frozen Fenway 2014

By Matt Noonan 

There’ll be hockey at Fenway Park next January as eight Hockey East teams will take part in two doubleheaders at Frozen Fenway 2014, according to the league’s press release this afternoon.

“We are excited about the return of hockey to Fenway,” said Hockey East commissioner Joe Bertagna in a statement. “We are particularly pleased that with these two doubleheaders, all of our men’s programs will have had the opportunity to experience Frozen Fenway, including the University of Notre Dame, our newest member.”

Hockey East Logo

Photo Courtesy of Wikipedia.com

The first doubleheader will occur on Saturday, January 4, 2014, as Merrimack College will face-off against Providence College, which will be followed by Notre Dame and Boston College.

UMass Lowell and Northeastern University will skate against each other in the first game the following Saturday, January 11, before Boston University and Maine face-off in the second game.

Boston’s Mayor Tom Menino, who was quoted in the release, expressed his excitement for the return of Frozen Fenway by saying, “Last year, more than 90,000 people came to Fenway Park to watch college or high school hockey or enjoy free public skating.”

Excluding the eight hockey games, there will be two free public skating days for the City of Boston residents, too.

Game times and ticket information for both doubleheaders will be announced at a later date.

For more information on the Hockey East – HOP HERE

Apr 2 2013

Mass. College Hockey: All-New England Teams & Awards

By NoontimeSports.com 

Courtesy of Northeastern University Associate Director of Athletics Communication Mark Majewski, here’s this evening’s release about the All-New England Teams and Awards:

BOSTON – The New England Hockey Writers Division I and II/III Men’s and Women’s All-Star teams and awards have been finalized after tallying votes from all Division I, II and III coaches and respective media outlets throughout New England. This year’s banquet will be held on Tuesday, April 16 at the Prince Restaurant in Saugus, Mass. The banquet will start at 6 p.m. All awards and All-Star teams will be presented at the gala. All coaches, student-athletes, family members and friends are encouraged to attend Tuesday’s banquet. Please contact Kristen Blake at (781) 245-2122 or by email at intern@hockeyeastonline.com for information on attending this event. Cost is $40 per person.

Below are the award winners for all four teams.

2012-13 NEW ENGLAND MEN’S DIVISION I ALL-STARS AND AWARDS

CLARK HODDER AWARD – DIVISION I COACH OF THE YEAR  

Rand Pecknold (Quinnipiac)

LEONARD FOWLE AWARD – MOST VALUABLE PLAYER    

Johnny Gaudreau, So., F, Carney’s Point, N.J. (Boston College)

GEORGE C. CARENS AWARD – ROOKIE OF THE YEAR  

Jon Gillies. Fr., G, South Portland, Maine (Providence)

HERB GALLAGHER AWARD – BEST FORWARD  

Johnny Gaudreau, So., F, Carney’s Point, N.J. (Boston College)

BOB MONAHAN AWARD – BEST DEFENSEMAN  

Chad Ruhwedel, Jr., D, San Diego, Calif. (UMass Lowell)

PAUL HINES AWARD – MOST IMPROVED PLAYER  

Evan Rodrigues, So., F, Etobicoke, Ontario (Boston University)

FRANK JONES AWARD – MOST DEFENSIVE FORWARD

Tim Schaller, Sr., F, Merrimack, N.H. (Providence College)

JOE TOMASELLO AWARD – UNSUNG HERO 

Danny Biega, Sr., D, Montreal, Quebec (Harvard)

PARKER / YORK AWARD – CONTRIBUTION TO NEW ENGLAND HOCKEY 

Jack Parker (Boston University)

GOALTENDERS    

Eric Hartzell, Sr., G, White Bear Lake, Minn. (Quinnipiac)

Jon Gillies, Fr., G, South Portland, Maine (Providence)

DEFENSEMEN   

Trevor van Riemsdyk, So., D, Middletown, N.J. (New Hampshire)

Chad Ruhwedel, Jr., D, San Diego, Calif. (UMass Lowell)

Mike Matheson, Fr., D, Pointe-Claire, Quebec (Boston College)

Jordan Heywood, Jr., D, Regina, Saskatchewan (Merrimack)

FORWARDS    

Johnny Gaudreau, So., F, Carney’s Point, N.J. (Boston College)

Steven Whitney, Sr., F, Reading, Mass. (Boston College)

Mike Collins, Jr., F, Boston, Mass. (Merrimack)

Kenny Agostino, Jr., F, Flanders, N.J. (Yale)

Brett Gensler, Jr., F, St. Charles, Mo. (Bentley)

Joe Pendenza, Jr., F, Wilmington, Mass. (UMass Lowell)

 

2012-13 NEW ENGLAND WOMEN’S DIVISION I ALL-STARS AND AWARDS

DIVISION I WOMEN’S COACH OF THE YEAR  

Katie King Crowley (Boston College)

DIVISION I WOMEN’S PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Alex Carpenter, So., F, North Reading, Mass. (Boston College)

GOALTENDERS

Corinne Boyles, Sr., G, Wheaton, Ill. (Boston College)

Roxanne Douville, Jr., G, Beloeil, Quebec (Vermont)

DEFENSEMEN  

Blake Bolden, Sr., D, Stow, Ohio (Boston College)

Shannon Doyle, Jr., D, Baldwin, Ontario (Boston University)

Regan Boulton, Sr., D, Brandon, Manitoba (Quinnipiac)

Emily Pfalzer, So., D, Getzville, N.Y. (Boston College)

FORWARDS   

Alex Carpenter, So., F, North Reading, Mass. (Boston College)

Kendall Coyne, So., F, Palos Heights, Ill. (Northeastern)

Marie-Philip Poulin, Jr., F, Beauceville, Quebec (Boston University)

Kelly Babstock, Jr., F, Mississauga, Ontario (Quinnipiac)

Jillian Dempsey, Sr., F, Winthrop, Mass. (Harvard)

Haley Skarupa, Fr., F, Rockville, Md. (Boston College)

 

 2012-13 NEW ENGLAND MEN’S DIVISION II/III ALL-STARS AND AWARDS

DIVISION II/III MEN’S COACH OF THE YEAR

Peter Belisle (UMass Boston)

DIVISION II/III MEN’S PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Colin Mulvey, Sr., F, Worcester, Mass. (Norwich University)

GOALTENDERS

Zeke Testa, Sr., G, Wellesley, Mass. (Babson)

Ben Coulthard, Jr., G, South Windsor, Conn. (Trinity)

Jack Astedt, Sr., G, Angelholm, Sweden (Plymouth State)

DEFENSEMEN 

Shaun Jameson, Sr., D, Long Beach, Calif. (Wentworth)

Rob Florentino, Sr., D, West Roxbury, Mass. (UMass Boston)

Brett Kaneshiro, Sr., D, Laguna Niguel, Calif. (Curry College)

Ollie Koo, Jr., D, Greenwich, Conn. (Bowdoin)

Tim McGarry, Sr., D, Kennett Square, Pa. (Bowdoin)

Brandon Hew, Sr., D, Fresno, Calif. (Amherst)

FORWARDS 

Keith Buehler. Jr., F, Skaneateles, N.Y. (Wesleyan)

Joseph Caveney, Sr., F, Fitchburg, Mass. (Fitchburg State)

Colin Mulvey, Sr., F, Worcester, Mass. (Norwich)

Travis Janke, Jr., F, Swift Current, Saskatchewan (Norwich)

Travis Daniel, Jr., F, North Brunswick, N.J. (UMass Boston)

Josh Harris, Sr., F, Torrance, Calif. (Castleton)

Branden Parkhouse, Sr., F, Rancho Cucamonga, Calif. (Becker)

Pier-Oliver Cotnoir, Sr., F, Rouyn-Noranda, Quebec (Norwich)

Daniel Weiniger, Sr., F, Warren, N.J. (Bowdoin)

2012-13 NEW ENGLAND WOMEN’S DIVISION II/III ALL-STARS AND AWARDS

DIVISION II/III WOMEN’S COACH OF THE YEAR  

Marissa O’Neil (Bowdoin College)

DIVISION II/III WOMEN’S PLAYER OF THE YEAR   

Geneva Lloyd, Sr., D, Calgary, Alberta (Amherst College)

GOALTENDERS

Alexa Pujol, Jr., G, New Canaan, Conn. (Trinity)

Kayla Lessard, Sr., G, Enfield, Conn. (Bowdoin)

DEFENSEMEN

Geneva Lloyd, Sr., D, Calgary, Alberta (Amherst)

Kayla Parsons, Jr., D, Fairbanks, Alaska (Norwich)

Rachel Porter, Sr., D, Franklin, Mass. (Salve Regina)

Madison Styrbicki, Sr., D, Edina, Minn. (Middlebury)

FORWARDS

Tori Charron, Jr., F, Tecumseh, Ontario (Norwich)

Jill DeBus, Sr., F, Howell, Mich. (Norwich)

Kayte Holtz, Sr., F, New Berlin, Wis. (Bowdoin)

Rachel Kennedy, Fr., F, Trumbull, Conn. (Bowdoin)

Tori Salmon, So., F, Batavia, N.Y. (Amherst)

Courtney Winters, Jr., F, Swampscott, Mass. (Saint Anselm)

Mar 24 2013

Mass. College Hockey: BU Falls To Minnesota In National Title Game

By NoontimeSports.com 

Courtesy of the Boston University sports information department, here’s this evening’s release about the women’s hockey team, who lost to the University of Minnesota in the National Title Game:

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. - Playing in the program’s second national title game in the last three seasons, the No. 2 Boston University women’s ice hockey team dropped a 6-3 decision to top-ranked Minnesota on Sunday afternoon at Ridder Arena.

BU (28-6-3) finished its eighth varsity season with a program-record 28 wins and its third Hockey East title in the last four seasons. Nine seniors will graduate as the first senior class to advance to the NCAA tournament in each of their four seasons. Minnesota completed a perfect season with its 41st win to claim the program’s fifth national title.

Junior co-captain Marie-Philip Poulin potted a goal and added an assist while her linemates, freshman Sarah Lefort and senior Jenelle Kohanchuk, each had a goal of their own. Eight different Terriers recorded a point on the afternoon.

Junior goaltender Kerrin Sperry completed her record season with a 23-save effort on Sunday. She made several tremendous saves and won a program-record 24 games this season. Senior co-captain Jill Cardella and classmate Kathryn Miller never missed a game in their collegiate careers, playing in their 151st game in a BU uniform on Sunday.

Lefort had a golden opportunity to give BU a 1-0 lead 5:45 into the proceedings thanks to a great individual effort. She blocked a shot at the top of the BU zone and then raced in alone on Gopher goaltender Noora Raty, but her attempt was denied.

Not to be outdone, Sperry made three big saves against Amanda Kessel’s line with about 11:30 to go in the first period, including one from point-blank range below the left circle. However, the Gophers eventually broke through at the 11:38 mark of the period when Mira Jalosuo scored from the left circle on a power play to give Minnesota a 1-0 lead.

The Gophers extended their lead to 2-0 with 1:28 left in the first frame. With BU on its first power play of the game, Hannah Brandt created a 2-on-1 chance only to have her initial attempt stopped by Sperry. The rebound went behind the net and Brandt banked the puck off of Sperry and into the back of the net.

Lefort tied the game just 16 seconds later with one second remaining on the power play. Poulin had the puck on the left half-wall and got it to sophomore Shannon Stoneburgh at the left point. Stoneburgh’s shot was stopped by Raty, but Lefort pulled the rebound from Raty’s pads and quickly backhanded the puck home for her 24th goal of the season.

Minnesota controlled the tempo for the early part of the second stanza, but BU held its own thanks to strong shot blocking and steady goaltending by Sperry. The Terriers enjoyed a couple good chances, including a 2-on-1 chance by Lefort and Kohanchuk, but Raty was equal to the task.

It became a 3-1 Gopher lead at the 16:02 mark of the second period when Kessel fired a one-timer past Sperry from the right circle. After the Gophers went to a power play, they scored with 11.8 seconds remaining in the frame to take a 4-1 lead into the third period.

With the Terriers on a power play early in the third period, Poulin cut the deficit to 4-2 just 1:48 into the period when her blast from the top of the zone got by Raty. It was Poulin’s 19th goal of the season and 55th point of the campaign. Junior Shannon Doyle and Cardella each assisted on the goal.

Sperry robbed Kessel with 15:40 left in the third period with what was likely her best save of the afternoon. Kessel made a great move to get around a defender, but Sperry was in great position and turned aside Kessel’s bid.

Poulin nearly cut the Gophers’ lead to just a goal at 4-3 after she dangled through the defense, but her chance was turned aside by the blocker of Raty. On the ensuing rush down the other end of the ice, the Gophers made it a 5-2 game when Rachel Ramsey converted a tap-in the crease.

BU never gave up, however, and the Terriers made it a 5-3 game with an extra-attacker goal at the 17:08 mark of the period. Junior Kaleigh Fratkin’s shot was blocked by a defender, but Kohanchuk quickly collected the puck and scored her team-leading 25th goal of the season. Kessel completed the scoring with an empty-net goal with 51 seconds remaining in regulation.

In just eight seasons as a varsity program, BU remains the only Hockey East school to advance to an NCAA title game. The Terriers have won four NCAA tournament games, including two at Walter Brown Arena.

Mar 23 2013

Mass. College Hockey: UML’s Arnold Connects On Wraparound Clincher

By Matt Noonan 

BOSTON, MA – UMass Lowell may not always be linked to Boston College and Boston University, two clubs that have experienced a great deal of success in the college hockey world over the past few decades, but this season the River Hawks turned the tables by capturing their first Hockey East regular season crown and conference championship on Saturday with a 1-0 victory against the Terriers at the TD Garden.

Derek Arnold secured the win for UML as he corralled the puck behind the BU cage and netted the game-winner at 11:09 in the third, which sent the Blue and Red supporters into a frenzy.

“It’s pretty special,” Arnold said of his game-winning strike. “I had a large group of family here tonight, they were in a box, and growing up me and my dad used to come every year (and we’d see) BC and BU win this tournament every year, so it’s very, very special for Lowell to win it.”

Arnold’s late-game strike wasn’t his first in this year’s conference tournament as he netted the game-winner against Maine last Friday in overtime to secure the River Hawks a trip to Causeway Street.

When it came to his goal this evening – a wraparound – Arnold explained his short stick hasn’t always allowed him to score that way, but something worked tonight as he deposited the puck into Sean Maguire’s net to seal the win.

“(The puck) went off Scott Wilson’s skate and it kind of went almost to the corner, but I was kind of down deep and it kind of went right on my stick and Maguire was way out of the net, so I just saw some daylight like I said and I took it to the net,” said Arnold.

“I’m usually not too successful on wraparounds because I’ve got a small stick, but for tonight to get that it was pretty cool.”

UML had never won a conference championship and lost its two meetings against BU in 1994 and 2009, but the third time proved to be the difference.

“We have some confidence and once we get rolling we’re rolling,” explained Arnold. “We had an 11 or 12 game unbeaten streak earlier (this season), and we won the regular season, so now we win this and hopefully we’ll see what happens tomorrow and see where we’re going, so it should be cool.

“Last year we got bounced out in that last game down in Bridgeport, so (we’re) hoping for a better result this year.”

Mar 23 2013

Mass. College Hockey: UML 1, BU 0 (29th Hockey East Championship Summary)

By Matt Noonan 

BOSTON, MA — The UMass Lowell River Hawks captured their first Hockey East crown in program history by defeating Boston University, 1-0 at the TD Garden.

Derek Arnold broke the scoreless drought with a wrap around goal at 11:09 in the third, which secured the win.

UML (26-10-2) raced down the ice on a 3-on-2 rush during the final frame and watched Chad Ruhwedel‘s shot deflect off teammate Scott Wilson‘s skates, which forced BU’s Sean Maguire out of the crease. Maguire, who attempted to stop the initial shot by diving to his right, didn’t see Arnold, who corralled the loose puck behind the net prior to his game-clinching strike.

UML had lost to BU in their last two championship appearances in 1994 and 2009. BU’s season concludes with a 21-16-2 mark.

* We will have more on this game shortly!

Mar 23 2013

Mass. College Hockey: BU’s Postgame Reactions (VIDEO)

By NoontimeSports.com 

After their team’s 6-3 win against Boston College on Friday in the Hockey East semifinals, Boston University’s Evan Rodrigues and Danny O’Regan, as well as coach Jack Parker, discussed their thoughts on the victory and what the Terriers need to do to earn a win this evening against UMass Lowell.

The interviews, which we’ve provided below, are courtesy of the Hockey East YouTube Channel.

 

  

Mar 23 2013

Mass. College Hockey: BU Remains Focused On Winning A Championship

Boston University Logo

By Matt Noonan

BOSTON, MA – Jack Parker must have said something motivational to his troops during a media timeout last night during the Hockey East semifinals against Boston College.

The Eagles, who were leading the Terriers by two tallies midway through the second frame, appeared to have all the momentum on their side. Yet, something was different, especially about this particular match.

Boston College has always felt at home at the TD Garden. They’ve won four consecutive Boston Beanpot championships, as well as the last three conference crowns, too. And even though history appeared to be on their side with a two-goal advantage, their momentum vanished after two quick strikes from BU’s Evan Rodrigues and Matt Lane, which tied the game at 2.

Lane’s goal, his fourth of the season, was what really changed the contest as the first-year forward stole a pass off a face-off in his team’s zone and raced down the ice to net the equalizer.

“I don’t know if we got complacent, but they got a few lucky breaks, we didn’t catch those breaks and I think we kind of got away from what made us successful in the first 35 minutes,” said BC’s Pat Mullane, who watched Lane’s goal from the bench.

“I don’t think guys sat back, we still attacked, but maybe just the bounces didn’t go our way tonight.”

BU’s offensive onslaught continued with a go-ahead goal from Garrett Noonan, who didn’t appear in his team’s last three contests, late in the second, which pushed the Terriers ahead for good.

Danny O’Regan, a member of this year’s Hockey East 2013 Pro-Ambitions All-Rookie Team, tacked on two power play goals early in the third to seal the win for the Terriers and setup a rematch of the 2009 conference championship against UMass Lowell, who defeated Providence College in the first game on Friday.

The win was certainly an impressive performance for a BU team that had struggled in January and February, but entered the contest on a four-game winning streak, two of which came last weekend against Merrimack College in the first round of the tournament. And while the players know this is Parker’s last ride, they certainly don’t seem interested in concluding their season without some hardware.

“I think especially after the first period we kind of realized that he’s such a great coach that we weren’t going to let him lose to BC at the Garden,” said O’Regan. “We were willing to do whatever it took.”

BU appeared flat following the opening face-off and destined to skate off the ice with a loss, but whatever Parker said to his squad during that timeout provided the Terriers with the necessary spark to rally and beat the Eagles.

“We have our backs to the wall, we played pretty well down the stretch here, but buried ourselves earlier in January and February, (especially) early February and we have to win to continue the season,” said Parker.

“After the way we played in the Garden (during the Beanpot tournament), I didn’t think we were going to be here this time, but the way we fought back and got home ice and took advantage of home ice by beating a really good Merrimack team and then get by BC tonight (was good for our team). I’m very proud of these guys and very happy for them and they have a chance to play a championship, (so) we’ll see what happens.”

It certainly will be an emotional night for the Red and White, who will once again be the underdog against a River Hawks club that’s 6-1 in the current month. And even though they haven’t defeated UMass Lowell this season, don’t expect the Terriers to lie down. Friday’s game proved that BU is determined to extend their season for another week, as well as do whatever is necessary to pull out a win.

“It’s obviously good to beat BC in the Garden,” said Noonan. “I don’t know if we have yet in my career here, but the jobs not done yet and we need to win tomorrow and it was a good win tonight.”

Mar 22 2013

Mass. College Hockey: UMass Lowell 2, Providence 1 (Game Summary)

UML's Scott Wilson secured the River Hawks a spot in Saturday's Hockey East Championship with a goal at 12:30 in the third! (Photo Credit: Hockey East)

UML’s Scott Wilson secured the River Hawks a spot in Saturday’s Hockey East Championship with a goal at 12:30 in the third! (Photo Credit: Hockey East)

By Matt Noonan 

BOSTON, MA – Scott Wilson punched UMass Lowell’s ticket to the Hockey East Championship for the first time since 2009 as he deposited his 15th strike of the season at 12:30 in the third period.

Wilson corralled a loose puck around center ice, connected with a streaking Riley Wetmore down the far boards before he received the puck in the slot and fired home the game-winner past Providence netminder Jon Gillies (31 saves).

Providence (17-14-7) earned the lead off a shot from Kevin Rooney, his first collegiate goal at 8:59 in the first before UMass Lowell (25-10-2) responded with a strike from A.J. White 34 seconds into third, which tied the game.

Neither squad capitalized on the power play, as both units concluded the contest a combined 0 for 9.

UMass Lowell’s Connor Hellebuyck, who leads the conference in goals against (1.46), save percentage (.946) and winning percentage (.895), recorded a season-best 34 saves.

The River Hawks will face-off against the winner of BC-BU tomorrow at 7 p.m. UMass Lowell has appeared in two conference championships (’94 and ’09), but lost both matches to the Terriers.