Tag Archives: Cawlidge Hawkey

Hobey Baker Award Finalists

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March is here, therefore it is time to announce the ten finalists for the Hobey Baker Award, given to the best player in College Hockey.  Before I list the ten finalists, I think it is important to clarify what it means to be the best player in all of college hockey, and how Hobey Baker’s legacy stands today.

Hobey Baker

Today, Hobey Baker, is synonymous with the award sharing his name.  However, not many fans know much about him.  It is easy to just assume Hobey Baker’s skill at the game is why the award is named after him.  It is basically an “MVP Award” for college hockey.  In many ways that is true.  However, Hobey Baker is also one of the most tremendous athletes in American history.  Hobey Baker is one of the United States’ first great hockey players.  Playing at the legendary St. Paul’s School in Concord New Hampshire, Baker represented the team with poise and class.  Hobey Baker’s game was speed, endurance, and stickhandling.  These traits led him to Princeton.

Baker’s fame on campus matches was that of Jack Eichel at Boston University.  Throughout all this, Hobey Baker never let the fame go to his head.  Not to mention being named the, “King of Hockey.”  He stayed true to himself as a humble gentlemen.  His fame and gentlemanly persona made him a target by opposing teams.  Many players, Wayne Gretzky especially, faced similar obstacles.  Nonetheless, Hobey Baker always went to opposing locker rooms to shake hands with other players.

Finalists

There is not much controversy regarding this season’s Hobey Baker Award Finalists.  In alphabetical order the finalists are, Henrik Borgström (Denver), Ryan Donato (Harvard), Matthew Galajda (Cornell), Adam Gaudette (Northeastern), Dylan McLaughlin (Canisius), Cale Morris (Notre Dame), Colton Point (Colgate), Jimmy Schuldt (St. Cloud State), Dylan Sikura (Northeastern) and CJ Suess (Minnesota State).

The way the voting process takes place is the 60 head coaches of Division 1 teams vote, as well as online voting.  This is the beginning of the voting process.  Now, the member selection committee and more online voting ends the process.  The winner is announced during the Frozen Four, on April 6th.  Last season, the honor went to Will Butcher of Denver, currently part of the New Jersey Devils organization.

It is hard to pick a winner of such a prestigious award.  Most Hobey Baker Award winners go on to great success.  Not just in the NHL, but throughout the entire hockey world.  These winners also go on to great financial success, just look at Johnny Gaudreau.  In my mind, I believe this award should belong to Adam Gaudette.  Although Dylan Sikura contributes exceptionally to the Huskies success this season.  Gaudette is the face of the team.  A new Beanpot legend, if Gaudette adds the Hobey Baker Award to his trophy shelf his future knows no bounds.  Even if he does not win the prestigious Hobey Baker Award, his future is bright.  But this could mean so much for his career with the Canucks.

 

Follow Matt McGurn on Twitter: @MickGurn

Cover Image courtesy of WCHA.com.

Northeastern Huskies Beanpot Champions

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“For the first time in 30 years, the Northeastern Huskies are college hockey’s Beanpot champions. Can you believe it?” – Joe Castigilione, probably.

David Versus Goliath

For as often as this biblical phrase is part of sentences, it truly fits the Huskies and Terriers rivalry. From a historical standpoint alone, Boston University is the favorite to win the Beanpot every season. After all, thirty Beanpot Championship trophies and banners in their trophy case back that up. Not to mention their incredibly hot goalie, Jake Oettinger, and their nine game unbeaten streak coming into the game, Boston University is in familiar waters. On the other hand, 2018 is a different season.

As I stated in the previous Beanpot article, Northeastern is the favorite this year. The number 12 ranked Northeastern Huskies came into the Garden, the favorites to win it all. At the present time, Matthews’ Arena is home to one of, if not the, best lines in all of College Hockey. Right wing Dylan Sikura, center Adam Gaudette, and left wing Nolan Stevens are making what is most likely their last season together a memorable one. To say nothing of Cayden Primeau, who carriers a 1.97 GAA, and a .925 SV%. Northeastern’s Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse are keeping the Dog House rocking all season long. Stevens, Gaudette, and Sikura put 61 goals in the net this season. This is no cakewalk for the Terriers.0 BU is also hurt by the absence of Jordan Greenway who looks to become an American hero in the Olympics this year.

The Game

“I am sick and tired of hearing about what a great hockey team the Terriers have. Screw ‘em! This is our time.  Let’s go out there and take it!” – Jim Madigan’s pregame speech, probably.

In what was one of the most entertaining open periods in college hockey history, the 2018 Beanpot did not disappoint. BU immediately took the lead. While the first Terrier goal did not count due to goaltender interference, Boston University quickly scored again. Cayden Primeau wass kicking himself after sending the puck into his own net. Logan Cockerill was credited with the goal.  As a result, Northeastern jacked it up a notch, as Nolan Stevens took advantage of a BU penalty. Throughout the game Primeau stood tall, making 38 saves in the contest. Adam Gaudette will live forever in Beanpot legend as his hat-trick was the difference maker in this one. Gaudette also continued to write Northeastern history as he became the all-time school leader in power play goals.

Jim Madigan obviously understands the importance of the Beanpot. He is a Huskie through and through, from a player to a coach. After the game, Coach Madigan’s quote embodies this, “The first thing I thought about was ‘Hey we’re finally over the hump’’’. For now, Northeastern is the best college hockey program in Boston. While that itself is impressive, they know the season is not over, and they want to continue to make history.

http://northeasternhockeyblog.com/game-day/beanpot-round-harvard-northeastern-preview-boston-college-boston-university-1988-drought/

Follow Matt McGurn on Twitter:  @MickGurn

 

Cover image courtesy of The Boston Globe.

Huskies and Terriers Set For A Dogfight

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How many dog puns can I make? With just three days removed from the Super bowl and Opening Day still 50 days away, we turn to college hockey and the Beanpot to help put us in a better mood. The Semi-finals fell on Monday, just as our Super Bowl hangovers were starting to go away. The Northeastern Huskies took on the Boston College Eagles, not Philadelphia. The Boston University Terriers battled the Harvard Crimson. Both were some of the best college hockey games put on television this season. Not to mention, cured some of our Super Bowl depression.

Grzelcyk

(AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Huskies vs. Eagles

For one of the first times in Beanpot history, Northeastern University came in as one of the favorites to win the whole thing. If they could do that, it would be their first Beanpot title since 1988, and just their fifth in history. Northeastern has not be able to fight off the other Boston-based teams. Boston University has been champions an astounding 30 times. Boston college is right behind them with 20 championships. Harvard scoots in with 11.

The past is in the past and Northeastern is in it for the long haul. They are currently ranked 15th, in the NCAA. The Huskies also play one of the best goalies in college hockey, Cayden Primeau.  In what was a thrilling game, Northeastern defeated the Eagles 3-0. Regardless of BC’s high powered offense, Primeau was able to stop all 37 shots. The big 3 kept doing what they have been doing all season for the Huskies: putting points on the board. Adam Gaudette, Dylan Sikura, and Nolan Stevens each scored.

Watch the highlights here.

 

Crimson vs. Terriers

It took two overtime periods, but Boston University was finally able to wash the Crimson away.Ty Amonte’s double-overtime goal ended the game 3-2. Terrier goalie Jake Oettinger kept Boston University in the entire game despite constant threats from Harvard. Harvard defenseman John Marino’s penalty allowed Logan Cockerill to get the points going putting BU ahead. At the end of the second period, Ty Pelton-Byce tied the game with a beautiful assist from Ryan Donato.

Thirty-two seconds into the third period, BU Captain Brandon Hickey put the Terriers ahead once again. Nonetheless, Harvard immediately answered back less than two minutes later. Jack Badini is a bad man and tied the game up. The rest of the game saw highlight saves from both Jake Oettinger, and Harvard net minder Merrick Madsen. Following a series of chance after the chance, the two teams found themselves with tired legs in the second overtime period. Three minutes in, Ty Amonte took the puck across the country and slammed the door closed for the Terrier victory.

Wednesday Night

Boston University will be looking to mimic 2015 magic when the Terriers barked down Harvard in the semifinals and chased Northeastern out of their yard to win the whole thing. The number 30 carries special meaning for both these teams. It has been 30 years since Northeaster’s last Beanpot championship in 1988. Could the Terriers add another to their already 30 Beanpot Championships? If this game were a history test, BU would pass with flying colors. In their last 20 Beanpot matchups, Boston University has taken a bite out of the Huskies 18 times. However, this is 2018, not 2015. This season Northeastern broke their leash and defeated the Huskies twice. Boston University will not have much time to recover and rest following the slobbering game versus Harvard. This will be a truly excellent game to watch.

 

Follow Matt McGurn on Twitter: @MickGurn  @TA_CawHawkey